Louisiana Deepwater Port | About Louisiana Gateway Port

ABOUT LOUISIANA GATEWAY PORT

A Public Port Authority Serving the Lower Mississippi River

Founded in 1954, Louisiana Gateway Port (LGP) is a deepwater port facility operated as a doing business as (DBA) of the Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District (PPHTD)—a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana established to develop, maintain, and operate public port infrastructure within Plaquemines Parish.

Located near the mouth of the Mississippi River, Louisiana Gateway Port supports maritime commerce, industrial development, and multimodal connectivity along one of the nation’s most critical freight corridors.

As a public port authority, LGP’s mission is to invest in infrastructure that supports long-term economic growth, safe navigation, and regional competitiveness—while maintaining transparency, accountability, and compliance with state and federal requirements.

GOVERNANCE & PUBLIC OVERSIGHT

Louisiana Gateway Port operates under the authority of the Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District, which is governed by a Board of Port Commissioners appointed in accordance with Louisiana law.

The Port is overseen by:

• A publicly appointed Board of Commissioners

• An executive leadership team and professional staff

• Policies, ordinances, and resolutions adopted in open public meetings

Day-to-day operations are carried out by professional port staff under the direction of the Board, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

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HISTORY & KEY MILESTONES

The Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District was established to ensure public stewardship of maritime access and industrial development opportunities along the lower Mississippi River.

Louisiana Gateway Port was later developed as a strategic deepwater facility within the District’s jurisdiction to:

• Expand cargo handling and industrial capabilities

• Support evolving global trade patterns

• Strengthen Louisiana’s role in national and international commerce

Over time, the Port’s role has expanded beyond traditional maritime functions to include infrastructure planning, intermodal connectivity, and public transportation services critical to the region.

1954

Plaquemines Parish Port Authority is created by the Louisiana Legislature as a political subdivision of the state. The parish governing authority is designated as the Port’s Board of Commissioners.

1970

State legislation clarifies the Port’s territorial jurisdiction, extending its authority parish-wide and positioning the Port for offshore and deepwater maritime activity near the Gulf of Mexico.

1986–1989

The Port implements Harbor Fees to fund river safety, firefighting, and emergency response services. The fee structure is upheld by federal authorities and the courts, affirming the Port’s regulatory authority.

2008

Plaquemines Port ranks among the top ten U.S. ports by total tonnage, reflecting decades of private terminal investment and infrastructure growth along the lower Mississippi River.

2010s–2020s

The Port advances major modernization and expansion initiatives, including large-scale industrial terminals and planning for a deepwater container facility capable of handling ultra-large vessels.

2021–2022

The Port formally assumes responsibility for the Plaquemines Parish ferry system, integrating ferry operations into its multimodal transportation role.

2024

The Plaquemines LNG export terminal achieves first production and begins shipping liquefied natural gas, representing one of the largest private industrial investments in Louisiana history.

2025

The Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District publicly rebrands as Louisiana Gateway Port, reflecting its expanding role as a global gateway for trade, energy, and infrastructure development.

TODAY & LOOKING FORWARD

Today, Louisiana Gateway Port supports global energy exports, industrial development, maritime safety, and future containerized trade—all while maintaining its responsibility as a public port authority serving Plaquemines Parish and the State of Louisiana.

With deepwater access, no air-draft restrictions, and long-term infrastructure planning underway, the Port continues to position Louisiana at the forefront of global maritime commerce.

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