A major part of our work at The Alliance is to sell our Southwest Louisiana assets to attract future industrial growth. One of the ways we do this is in Site Selection Magazine, a print publication and on-line version, which is targeted to site selection consultants and company executives.

In the March issue, SWLA is featured in a four-page supplement which describes our port network. The ports in our region are the energy corridor’s path to growth and success.

The ports have enabled the location of dozens of petrochemical industries and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities. There are many reasons why these facilities choose to cluster near the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Louisiana: A concentration of pipelines supplying cheap and abundant natural gas; existing infrastructure for energy production and transportation; Deep water shipping access and shallow-draft inland waterways; a skilled workforce trained to serve industrial needs; and a community that welcomes and embraces industrial growth.

The largest port in the region is the Port of Lake Charles. Approaching its centennial, the port ranks No. 13 in cargo volume in America and No. 7 in growth. Port Director Ricky Self says they have been on a great trajectory for the last few years and 2024 is looking to be another record year. Not only does the U.S. depend on our LNG to use as a fuel source, but our allies depend on our LNG as a fuel source. Director Self says the Port of Lake Charles handles both petroleum coke and LNG, and they are an emerging pathway for wind power components. He says hydrogen will be the port’s next major export. “A lot of multinational companies have entered into agreements. They are interested in ammonia and hydrogen businesses,” he said. 

The Cameron Parish Port, Harbor, and Terminal District is home to three of the nation’s seven LNG plants and others under construction. Kim Montie, Executive Director of the Port, says that the port’s location at the mouth of the deep-water Calcasieu Ship Channel makes it ideal for import and export businesses. 

Expansions have made Cameron Parish the top exporter of natural gas in the world. At the West Calcasieu Port on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Port Director Lynn Hohensee says their primary tenants are firms that provide services like barge
fleeting. Prospective tenants will learn that they have a shovel-ready site that is prepared for development. “We are a one-stop shop for the intracoastal marine industry.” Hohensee said. He added, “that is what we bring to the table.” 

The Port of Vinton on the Vinton Navigation Channel is a shallow-water facility with more than 850 acres of developable, industrial zoned port property near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Interstate 10 close to the Texas-Louisiana border.

Jerry Merchant, Port Director, said one 156 acre site is state certified and other properties at the Port of Vinton are being certified. A small but emerging port located along the Mermentau River, The Mermentau River Harbor and Terminal District handles cargo such as aggregate, fertilizer, and rough rice. Outbound cargo includes rice, soybeans, and rice hull compost.

Stephen Broussard, Port Director, says with water being the cheapest way to get materials to farmers, they can accommodate this type of cargo. 

According to Ron Starner, Executive Vice President of Site Selection Magazine, considering the magnitude of commerce that flows through these five ports daily, one can argue that, without these maritime facilities, much of the nation’s energy-dependent economy would shut down. The SWLA Port Network is vital to the region’s economy. Combined, they generate up to 46% of the gross domestic product in the Lake Charles metro area. 

Nearly 40% of all materials processed in the metro area are done at port facilities and more than 50,000 workers in Southwest Louisiana are employed in jobs tied directly to port activity. The Southwest Louisiana Economy depends on our ports and that is one of our major strengths.