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    A large cargo ship is silhouetted against a misty harbor background with prominent cranes and a waterfront rail

    Port Bienville

    Mississippi
    Gulf Coast

    Overview

    Port Bienville is a major multimodal industrial and logistics hub located in Bay St. Louis, Hancock County, Mississippi, on the northern Gulf of Mexico. Positioned on Mulatto Bayou three miles upstream from its confluence with the East Pearl River, this shallow draft barge port provides critical access to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and connections to the Port of New Orleans and Mississippi River, enabling deep-water global shipping routes. The port encompasses the sprawling 3,600-acre Port Bienville Industrial Park, which hosts 14 leading companies across diverse sectors and supports a workforce of approximately 1,200 employees. Its strategic significance lies in seamless integration of water, rail, and highway logistics, offering clients a direct link to CSX rail for access to the Eastern U.S., and heavy-haul trucking routes connecting to major interstates I-10, I-12, I-59, and U.S. Highways 49 and 90. Port Bienville’s well-established infrastructure, including a foreign trade zone, bulk and break-bulk handling, and trans-load capabilities, makes it a vital node for regional and international commerce.

    Facilities

    • Shallow draft barge port with 600 feet of dock space and three primary berths
    • 300-foot berth and turning basin
    • 100-ton Manitowac crawler crane for heavy lift services
    • Liquid bulk terminal with berth accommodation for tank barges
    • Rail car storage and maintenance
    • Warehousing and storage facilities
    • Port Bienville Shortline Railroad (connecting to CSX at Ansley, MS)
    • Coast Electric Power Association for electricity
    • Natural gas, water, and wastewater utilities

    Operating Hours

    Operating hours for Port Bienville are not explicitly stated in available sources; direct inquiry with the port authority (228-493-8283) is recommended for specific times.

    Shipping Lines

    Major carriers serving this port

    1
    SSA Marine
    2
    Maersk
    3
    MSC
    4
    CMA CGM
    5
    Hapag-Lloyd
    6
    Cosco Shipping
    7
    Evergreen Marine
    8
    ZIM Integrated Shipping Services

    Tools & Resources

    Essential tools, portals, and resources for clients and partners.

    Data & Reports

    Official statistics, research reports, and data tracking for Port Bienville.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common inquiries about operations and logistics at Port Bienville.

    What is the process and how long does customs clearance take for import cargo through US seaports?

    Typical import flow is vessel arrival, berth assignment, container discharge, customs review, release, dray pickup, and final delivery. Standard clearance may be same day to several days depending on documentation and exams.

    What is the process and how long does export cargo take through US seaports?

    Typical export flow is inland dray to terminal, terminal gate-in, documentation and filing, vessel loading, and departure. Timing depends on cutoff windows, bookings, inspections, and vessel schedule.

    For More Info

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