How the Port of Plaquemines Ferries Keep Our Parish Moving

When most people think about a Gulf Coast port authority, their minds immediately go to massive cargo ships and global trade. However, at the Port of Plaquemines, our mission hits much closer to home: helping people commute across the Mississippi River every single day.

The Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District officially operates the public ferry crossings between Belle Chasse and Scarsdale, as well as between Pointe à la Hache and Port Sulphur. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development records confirm that both of these vital Mississippi River crossings are managed by the Port. While this is an unusual responsibility for a major port authority, it is a crucial one in a parish where the Mississippi River defines both our economy and our daily lives.

The River That Drives Commerce and Daily Life

The Mississippi River seamlessly connects Plaquemines Parish to major global markets. It serves as the primary route for commercial vessels traveling between the Gulf of America and the broader Mississippi River system, supporting maritime commerce, industry, and jobs across Louisiana and the entire nation.

But for the residents who live and work in Plaquemines Parish, the river plays a different, more personal role: it separates our East and West Bank communities. Crossing the Mississippi is a built-in part of an ordinary day, whether you are commuting to work, visiting family, getting to a doctor's appointment, or just heading home. The Plaquemines Parish ferry system makes these essential connections possible.

Two Vital Crossings, One Connected Parish

The Port currently provides essential ferry service at two strategic locations within Plaquemines Parish:

• Northern Parish Transit: The Belle Chasse–Scarsdale crossing provides continuous daytime service for vehicles and passengers.
• Southern Parish Transit: The Pointe à la Hache–Port Sulphur ferry offers scheduled Mississippi River crossings farther south.

The Port’s published information lists daily service at both of these locations. Together, they form the backbone of the parish’s local transportation network. For our riders, this isn't a sightseeing cruise—it is critical transportation.

By the Numbers: Moving Hundreds of Thousands Annually

The sheer scale of the ferry system highlights how indispensable these river crossings are to the local community. According to the Port’s master plan data, the two routes combined handle approximately 550,000 vehicle crossings and over 438,000 passenger trips each year.

Here is how that local traffic breaks down:

• The Belle Chasse–Scarsdale route handles approximately 300,000 vehicle crossings annually.
• The Belle Chasse–Scarsdale route also transports about 329,000 passengers each year.
• The Pointe à la Hache–Port Sulphur route manages roughly 250,000 vehicle crossings annually.
• The Pointe à la Hache–Port Sulphur route sees nearly 110,000 passengers annually.

These numbers are more than just traffic data; behind every crossing is a resident heading to work, a parent traveling with their child, a contractor reaching a local job site, or a customer supporting a local business.

An Unusual Role for a Gulf Coast Port

Public port authorities along the Gulf Coast—such as Port Tampa Bay, the Alabama State Port Authority, the Mississippi State Port Authority, the Port of South Louisiana, and various Texas ports—typically focus exclusively on maritime infrastructure, cargo movement, and industrial development. 

Plaquemines Parish is distinctly different. Among Gulf Ports Association members, the Port of Plaquemines occupies a unique position by seamlessly combining the duties of a commercial port authority with the daily operation of a public ferry system. Our mission scales from accommodating the world’s largest commercial vessels to moving cars and local passengers across the river.

Navigating Operations and Community Needs

Running a reliable ferry system involves much more than simply steering a boat from one riverbank to another. It requires:

• Highly trained marine crews and strict safety procedures.
• Ongoing vessel maintenance and landing infrastructure upkeep.
• Coordination with other public agencies while safely sharing one of the world's busiest waterways with deep-draft ships and towboats.

To further support the community, the Port provides accessible schedules, fare information, and real-time service updates. We also offer fare exemptions and accommodations for eligible parish residents, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.

One River, Two Missions

Few regions illustrate the delicate balance between global commerce and everyday community life quite like Plaquemines Parish. On any given day, a massive international cargo ship might travel past a local ferry carrying a resident on a five-minute trip home. Both of these movements matter immensely.

Connecting Plaquemines to the global economy is only part our job; the other part is proudly keeping the parish moving here at home.