Plaquemines Port
Louisiana Gateway Port, a dba of the Plaquemines Port or Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District, is a major deepwater port located at the mouth of the Mississippi River on the Gulf of Mexico in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, United States. The port authority's jurisdiction extends along the first 81 miles of the Mississippi River from the Gulf inland. It plays a significant role in maritime trade, serving domestic and international markets.
Overview
The Louisiana Gateway Port is among the largest seaports in the United States, with deep-water access and connectivity that facilitates trade to inland markets. The port's strategic location—in Belle Chasse near the closest point on the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico—gives it navigational advantages, including an authorized channel depth of approximately 50 feet and no air draft restrictions, allowing it to handle large vessels.The port supports a diversity of cargo including oil, gas, grain, coal, chemicals, liquefied natural gas, and other bulk commodities, and provides access to over 30 U.S. states via barge, rail, and highway transportation networks.
History
The port authority was originally established in 1954 as the Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District by the Louisiana Legislature. It was governed by a committee of the Plaquemines Parish Council acting as the Port Board.In March 2025, the port authority officially rebranded to Louisiana Gateway Port to better reflect its strategic role as a key gateway for global trade and its ambitions for expanded capacity and international recognition. The rebranding was part of a broader strategic vision to position the port among the top U.S. ports by tonnage and enhance its identity in global shipping and logistics.
Governance
The Plaquemines Port, Harbor and Terminal District, operating as the Louisiana Gateway Port, is governed by the Plaquemines Parish Council, which serves as the Board of Commissioners. The board is composed of nine commissioners who are elected to four-year terms as council members from their respective districts.As of January 2026, the board members include:
- District 1: Tyronne Edwards
- District 2: Brian Champagne
- District 3: Chris Schulz
- District 4: Stuart Guey
- District 5: Patricia L. McCarty
- District 6: Lloyd "Ronnie" Newsom
- District 7: Carlton M. LaFrance, Sr.
- District 8: Mitch Jurisich
- District 9: Mark Cognevich
Facilities and operations
The port's jurisdiction includes deep-draft channels, multiple anchorages, and extensive waterfront property suitable for a range of maritime facilities. Its transportation links connect maritime operations to inland distribution networks via rail and highway. Intermodal access enhances the port’s attractiveness for a wide variety of cargo flows.Major private and public investments are underway or planned to increase capacity and service offerings. These include partnerships for container terminal development and infrastructure enhancements to support larger vessels and expanded cargo volumes. These developments include a strategic partnership with APM Terminals to build a state-of-the-art $467 million container terminal, with construction set to begin in 2027.