Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans, situated on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, is a major multimodal gateway connecting global markets with the United States and Canada. Serving as a deepwater port on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico, it offers strategic access to over 30 major inland hubs, including Memphis and Chicago, through an extensive network of 14,500 miles of waterways, six Class I railroads, and multiple interstate highways. As the only U.S. city where major deep-draft port operations align seamlessly with a major rail gateway, New Orleans is uniquely positioned for intermodal freight movement. The port supports a wide array of cargo, including containers, breakbulk, and heavy-lift shipments, and has recently invested in further infrastructure projects like the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), which is set to significantly expand its capacity and accommodate larger vessels. The Port of New Orleans is highly significant for both regional and national logistics, generating thousands of jobs and substantial tax revenues, while providing robust connectivity through major global shipping lines and ongoing development to meet evolving trade demands.