Fast Facts

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge:

  • Is situated on the Mississippi River 230 miles from the Gulf of Mexico at the junction of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at its northernmost point.

  • Is situated on one of the largest port systems in the world—the lower Mississippi River port system (from Baton Rouge to the mouth of the Mississippi River).

  • The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway connects neighboring states from Florida to South Texas and the Mississippi River links 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.

  • The port is ranked as 8th in the nation and 65th in the world in annual total tonnage.

  • Its jurisdiction includes 85 miles of the Mississippi River and encompasses Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge Parishes.

  • Provides excellent intermodal transportation with direct access to ship, barge, truck and rail.

  • Is adjacent to U.S. Interstates 10, 12 and 110 and LA Hwy 1; allows easy access to U.S. Highway 61, U.S. Interstate 49 and U.S. Interstate 55.

  • Is served by three Class 1 railroads: Union Pacific Railroad, Illinois Central/Canadian National Railway and the Kansas City Southern Railroad.

  • Handles a variety of bulk and breakbulk cargoes for domestic and international markets including asphalt, barite, aggregates, limestone, carbon black, coal, coffee, coke, grain, forest products, biomass products, plastics, liquid bulk chemicals, molasses, oats, ores, pipe, steel and sugar.

FAQs

1. Who governs the Port of Greater Baton Rouge?

The port is governed by a 15 member commission appointed by the Governor. The CEO is responsible for daily operations. The port is a political subdivision of Louisiana government. Self-generated funds from operations, leases and user fees are used to run the port.

2. What is a Foreign Trade Zone?

In the 1930’s, the Federal Government created the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program to facilitate trade and increase global competitiveness of U.S.-based companies. By shipping into a FTZ, costly U.S. Customs duties can be deferred, reduced or even eliminated. Importers are encouraged to participate in the FTZ program.

3. How do I get involved in International Trade?

Louisiana has a number of excellent resources for businesses including the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, World Trade Center New Orleans and the Mississippi Valley Trade and Transport Council.

4. What comprises the Baton Rouge market?

The Baton Rouge metro area is comprised of four parishes: East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston. The Baton Rouge metro population is 700,000 and the median income is $27,000. As the state’s capital, Baton Rouge’s major industry segments are state government and the petrochemical industry. Two major universities, Louisiana State University and Southern University, make major contributions to both the lifestyle and economy of the Baton Rouge metro area.

5. What regional markets does the Port of Greater Baton Rouge serve?

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge primarily serves the agricultural, forestry and petrochemical industries between Baton Rouge and the lower Mississippi River as well as the entire state of Louisiana. Through diverse cargo handling, the port also impacts a four-state area.

6. What types of commodities does the port handle?

Asphalt, barite, aggregates, limestone, carbon black, coal, coffee, coke, grain, forest products, biomass products, plastics, liquid bulk chemicals, molasses, oats, ores, pipe, steel and sugar.

7. How does the Port of Greater Baton Rouge rank?

The port is ranked as 8th in the nation and 65th in the world in annual total tonnage.

8. What is the Inland Rivers Waterway System?

The U.S. Inland Rivers Waterway System is made up of 25,000 miles of navigable rivers and canals, of which 12,000 miles are maintained by the federal government as commercial waterways. A few of the major rivers that make up the Inland Waterway System include the Missouri, Ohio, Red and Atchafalaya.

9. What is the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway?

The U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is the system of inland waterways, including rivers and canals, along the U.S. coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It extends from Apalachee Bay, Florida west to the Mexican border at Brownsville, Texas, a distance of more than 1,100 miles.

10. What is Ro/Ro?

Ro/Ro is a shortening of the term Roll-on/Roll-off cargo. Ro/Ro is a method of ocean cargo service using a vessel with ramps which allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and discharged without cranes.

11. What is the container-on-barge shipping method?

Container-on-barge, also known as short sea shipping, is an economical transportation option to move cargo. Containerized cargo is loaded onto barges and moved to their destination via inland waterways. Approximately 20 tons of cargo can be loaded into one container.

12. What is breakbulk cargo?

Breakbulk is packaged and unitized cargo. Super sacks and palletized cargo are examples of breakbulk.

13. What is bulk cargo?

Bulk cargo is any cargo not shipped in packages or containers. Bulk cargo is shipped loose in the hold of a ship. Grain, coal and sulfur are usually bulk freight.

14. What is containerized cargo?

Containerized cargo is any cargo that can fit into a 20 or 40 foot container.

15. What is a short ton?

Used as a standard unit of measure in shipping, a short ton equals 2,000 pounds.