Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District

The Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District is a public port authority based in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, situated along the Vermilion River approximately 8 miles south of the city of Abbeville. Established in 1954, the district's primary mission is to facilitate economic growth and create jobs by responsibly managing its assets and supporting industrial and maritime activity. Its cornerstone asset, the Port of Vermilion, occupies 100 acres and operates mainly as an industrial park, serving as the district’s hub for economic development. The port provides vital infrastructure for local and regional businesses, offering access to the Freshwater Bayou and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway with a controlling depth of 12 feet, which allows it to accommodate barge and small vessel traffic. The district is managed by a six-member Board of Commissioners, underscoring its accountability to the local community and public interests. Through ongoing collaboration with government agencies and industry, the Abbeville Harbor & Terminal District continues to secure investment for expanding facilities and improving services, supporting an estimated workforce of more than 400 employees and generating significant economic activity for the region.