Skip to main content
 

Automated translation provided by Google. For official translations of vital documents, please contact info@gatewayport.com.

contact us

WHY CHOOSE
LOUISIANA GATEWAY PORT

Louisiana Gateway Port’s proximity to open water at the mouth of the Mississippi River provides a measurable advantage for global trade. As the closest deep-draft port facilities to the Gulf of Mexico along the river, terminals within the Port’s jurisdiction offer reduced transit distance to Latin American ports and the Panama Canal—supporting shorter voyage times, improved vessel scheduling, and more efficient access to international trade lanes.

STRATEGIC LOCATION  & GLOBAL TRADE REACH

Trade moving through Louisiana Gateway Port reflects the scale and reach of the lower Mississippi River as a global commerce corridor. Through its jurisdiction, the Port supports significant international import and export activity connecting Louisiana and the central United States to markets across North America, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

This global reach enables cargo owners, carriers, and industrial operators to participate in international trade while maintaining strong inland supply-chain connections.

 

Learn more about our Port Connectivity >>
In 2023, Louisiana Gateway Port supported a total trade value of approximately $132 billion, including $101 billion in exports and $32 billion in imports. Major export destinations included: Netherlands: approximately $6.9 billion United Kingdom: approximately $5.3 billion Mexico: approximately $5.7 billion Canada: approximately $3.2 billion Chile: approximately $1.3 billion Major import sources included: China: approximately $14 billion Germany: approximately $5.0 billion Mexico: approximately $6.9 billion Brazil: approximately $1.7 billion South Korea: approximately $1.6 billion Source: U.S. Trade Representative, 2023.

$132 BILLION TOTAL TRADE VALUE IN 2023

$101B in exports + $32B in imports

Source: U.S. Trade Representative, 2023.

DEEP-DRAFT ACCESS AT THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Louisiana Gateway Port jurisdiction spans the first 81 miles of the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico inland, providing some of the most capable deep-draft access on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Light blue icon of a checkmark inside a square box.
A 50-foot authorized navigation channel
Light blue icon of a checkmark inside a square box.
No air-draft restrictions for vessel transit
Light blue icon of a checkmark inside a square box.
Multiple major anchorages supporting vessel staging and safety
Light blue icon of a checkmark inside a square box.
Direct access to the Mississippi River Ship Channel

These features support predictable vessel movement, reduced congestion, and operational reliability for ocean-going vessels serving global trade routes.

BUILT FOR TRADE, INDUSTRY, & LONG-TERM INVESTMENT
Louisiana Gateway Port supports maritime and industrial activity by providing navigation access and infrastructure that enable diverse trade flows through the lower Mississippi River corridor.
 
As a public port authority, the Port focuses on:
• Long-term infrastructure and capital planning
• Safe and reliable navigation access
• Coordination with terminal operators and public agencies
• Responsible development aligned with regional and statewide economic goals
 
Ongoing investments and future-facing projects are designed to expand capacity, improve efficiency, and support long-term economic growth.
 

SUPPORTING A DIVERSE RANGE OF CARGO

Louisiana Gateway Port supports a wide range of maritime trade by enabling access to infrastructure that accommodates diverse cargo types moving through the port district.

Cargo moving through the Louisiana Gateway Port territory includes:

  • Bulk and agricultural commodities

  • Breakbulk and project cargo

  • Containerized cargo

  • Energy-related cargo, including liquefied natural gas (LNG)

  • Other bulk materials supporting domestic and international trade

Cargo handling and terminal operations are performed by private operators within the port district.

View facilities and operators >>
Aerial view of a wide river featuring two large vessels. In the foreground, a red and white tanker sails downstream. In the background, a massive grey and yellow LNG carrier is docked at an industrial port terminal, assisted by four red tugboats. The landscape is flat marshland under a hazy sky.

A TRUSTED PARTNER FOR INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY

Louisiana Gateway Port works collaboratively with cargo owners, vessel operators, terminal and logistics providers, industrial developers, site selectors, and public partners to support economic growth while maintaining transparency, safety, and long-term stewardship of port infrastructure.

As part of this collaborative approach, the Port supports strategic infrastructure initiatives, including the development of a modern container terminal within the port district. This planned investment reflects the Port’s role in coordinating long-term capacity expansion to meet evolving trade demands, while ensuring alignment with regional economic goals, environmental considerations, and community interests.

Cargo handling and terminal operations associated with these facilities are performed by private operators, consistent with the Port’s role as a public authority focused on access, infrastructure planning, and coordination.

This approach ensures Louisiana Gateway Port continues to serve both industry needs and the communities it supports—today and into the future.

NEW TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION IN 2027-2029 WILL CREATE:

New Sales at Businesses in the Region

$581.8M

New Earnings for Residents of Five Parishes

$180M

Average Jobs a Year

1,008 Jobs

New Taxes for Local Governments in the Region

$16M

ONCE THE NEW TERMINAL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL IN 2036, THE PROJECTED IMPACTS INCLUDE:

Sales At Businesses in the Region

$90.2M

Household Earnings for Region Residents

$91.9M

Jobs for Citizens in the Region

933 Jobs

New Revenues for Local Governments in the Region

$6.7M

READY TO LEARN MORE?

For questions about port access, connectivity, infrastructure, or doing business within the Louisiana Gateway Port district, contact us today. 

 

Contact Us
Port News

PORT NEWS >

Explore the latest happenings in and around the port.
LEARN MORE
Commissioners & Staff

COMMISSIONERS & STAFF >

Meet the commissioners and staff who help keep our port running smoothly.

LEARN MORE
Careers

CAREERS >

Ready for a fulfilling career? Join our team.

LEARN MORE