At Port of Iberia, ‘Creole King’ Opens a New Standard for Bulk Cargo Handling

The Gulf Coast’s bulk cargo operations are getting a powerful upgrade with the christening of the Creole King, a next-generation barge-mounted stevedoring crane that promises to boost efficiency, cut fuel costs, and enhance environmental performance at the Port of Iberia.

Operated by Cooper Consolidated and assembled by E-Crane’s Gulf Coast Service team, the Creole King represents one of the most advanced cargo-handling assets on the Mississippi River system. Standing 75 feet tall with a 125-foot reach, the crane is powered by the largest E-Crane of its kind in North America—the EC30382 PD-E from the 4000C Series. Purpose-built for high-volume, continuous-duty work on inland and coastal waterways, it can lift up to 52 tons and features interchangeable 47- and 39-cubic-yard clamshell grabs for handling a wide range of bulk commodities.

“We studied the market for bulk material handling equipment that offered a combination of performance, ease of maintenance and operation, and energy efficiency, and E-Crane checked all the boxes,” said Scott Becnel, Director of Business Development at Cooper Consolidated.

E-Crane Technology: Electric Power, Smart Ops

E-Crane’s electric-powered cranes are designed with efficiency and sustainability at their core. Unlike traditional diesel-driven units, the Creole King’s electric powertrain reduces fuel consumption by up to 80%, translating to lower operating costs and a much smaller carbon footprint.

“It takes about the amount of diesel in a wineglass to move a ton of cargo,” explained Steve Osborne, CEO of E-Crane USA. “The result is a dramatically lower environmental footprint that benefits us all.”

E-Cranes are also known for their ease of maintenance, modular design, and smooth, balanced operation—a critical advantage for continuous midstream transfer of bulk goods.

Cooper Consolidated: Strengthening the Midstream Advantage

The Creole King will serve as a critical asset for Cooper Consolidated, one of the region’s largest midstream cargo operators, which provides stevedoring, warehousing, and logistics services across the Lower Mississippi. The company specializes in handling bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, fertilizers, and other commodities that drive the Gulf’s export economy.

Investment in Growth, Jobs

The Port of Iberia invested more than $6 million through Louisiana’s Port Priority Program to refurbish infrastructure and support the crane project. Executive Director Craig Romero called the Creole King “a catalyst for economic growth,” noting that the project started with 12 new jobs and is expected to grow to 50 positions as more cranes are added.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois praised the initiative, saying: “Today we’re not just christening a crane—we’re ushering in a new chapter of opportunity for our ports and people.”

The Creole King joins its sister crane, the Pelican, commissioned in 2024, as part of Cooper Consolidated’s growing fleet of high-efficiency, barge-mounted cranes. These assets are designed to work ships up to Panamax size or operate in tandem with the company’s barge-mounted grain handling system (LMO), which allows exporters to weigh, grade, and sample commodities directly midstream.

With the Mississippi River handling over 90% of America’s agricultural exports, these cranes strengthen Cooper Consolidated’s position as a market leader in midstream operations.

“This isn’t just a machine—it’s a milestone,” Osborne said. “It shows what’s possible when engineering excellence, environmental responsibility, and regional collaboration come together.”