The Port of Lake Charles

The Port of Lake Charles is a deepwater seaport located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on the Calcasieu Ship Channel, just north of the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The Port is currently the 12th-busiest seaport in the U.S., based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and it was named by Forbes Magazine as the 7th-fastest growing seaport in the nation.

The Port manages the Calcasieu Ship Channel, which runs inland 36 miles and extends out into the Gulf of Mexico another 32 miles. The Port of Lake Charles’ official name is the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, a public body created by the Louisiana Legislature. The District encompasses 203 square miles in Calcasieu Parish and operates on 5,420 acres.

The Port of Lake Charles owns and operates two marine terminals—the City Docks and Bulk Terminal No. 1—and two industrial parks—the Industrial Canal and Industrial Park East. In addition, the Port serves as landlord to companies leasing Port-owned property, and owns several leasable sites on and near the Calcasieu Ship Channel.

Principal cargoes moving through the Port’s terminals are bagged rice and other agricultural food products; forest products; aluminum; steel; petroleum coke and other petroleum products; project cargoes; barite; and rutile.

Mission Statement: 
“To actively create, facilitate, and enhance benefits from maritime transportation and economic development for the benefit of its customers, stakeholders, and the citizens of Southwest Louisiana.”