UN/LOCODE: USMSY📍 United States
Port of New Orleans (UN/LOCODE USMSY)
❖ Coordinates: 29.9511°N, -90.0715°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USMSY
## About the Port
The **Port of New Orleans** (UN/LOCODE **USMSY**) is a deep‑water, multipurpose gateway located at 29.9511° N, 90.0715° W on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just downstream of the river’s delta. Operated by the **Port of New Orleans Authority (PONA)**, the port serves as the principal maritime hub for the state of Louisiana and a strategic node for the United States Gulf Coast. Its geographic position in the **America/Chicago** time zone provides seamless connectivity to inland barge traffic, intermodal rail corridors, and the extensive network of highways that link the Midwest to the Atlantic and Pacific markets. The port’s natural deep draft of 45 feet at mean low water accommodates Panamax‑size vessels and larger, while the modern navigation channel, maintained by the *U.S. Army Corps of Engineers* (USACE), supports a **year‑round, high‑volume flow of cargo and cruise ships**.
Key performance metrics (2023) underscore the port’s significance:
| Metric | 2023 Value | Trend |
|--------|------------|-------|
| Total cargo tonnage | **44.9 million metric tons** | ↑ 3 % YoY |
| Container volume (TEU) | **2.8 million TEU** | ↔︎ steady |
| Cruise passengers | **1.2 million** | ↑ 5 % YoY |
| Vessel calls | **2,340** | ↑ 2 % YoY |
These figures place New Orleans among the top 20 U.S. container ports and the leading Gulf Coast cruise terminal, reinforcing its role as a **logistical conduit for both domestic and trans‑Atlantic trade**.
---
## History
The port’s origins trace back to the early 18th‑century French settlement of *La Nouvelle-Orléans*, where the natural harbor facilitated the export of indigo, sugar, and cotton. By the 19th century, the **Mississippi River’s hydraulic engineering**—including the construction of levees and the 1900 *Mississippi River & Tributaries Project*—expanded navigable depth, cementing New Orleans as a premier export point for the burgeoning cotton economy.
During World War II, the harbor was requisitioned for the *U.S. Maritime Commission* to support Allied logistics, handling troop convoys and war materiel under the *War Shipping Administration*. Post‑war, the **Port of New Orleans Authority** was created in 1946 as a public‑private partnership, tasked with modernizing berths, installing container cranes, and diversifying cargo operations.
The late 20th century saw decisive shifts: the **1995 Hurricane *Opal* evacuation** prompted the introduction of hurricane‑resilient infrastructure, while the **2005 Hurricane *Katrina*** devastated the terminal area, leading to a $1.2 billion reconstruction program that integrated reinforced bulkheads, automated berth‑allocation systems, and a state‑of‑the‑art cruise terminal. The port’s resilience narrative continues to shape its strategic planning, emphasizing climate‑adapted design and **supply‑chain redundancy**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminal Layout
- **Container Terminals:** Two deep‑water container berths (Callahan and LMC) equipped with 14 Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes, each capable of 80 ton lifting capacity.
- **Bulk & Breakbulk:** Four general cargo berths (Gulf, River, East, and West) support steel, grain, and forest product handling, with 100 ton mobile cranes and high‑speed conveyor systems.
- **Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) System:** Implemented in 2021 to streamline container movement between quay and the on‑site rail yard, reducing dwell time by 18 %.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail Access:** Direct links to **CSX** and **Canadian National** railroads, providing 15 + 10‑track rail yards that accommodate up to 120 railcars per train.
- **Barge Terminal:** Situated at the *Lower Mississippi River* dock, facilitating 7 + 8 million tonnage of barge shipments annually, primarily for agricultural exports.
- **Road Network:** Immediate adjacency to **Interstate 10** and **U.S. 90**, enabling truck dispatch within a 15‑minute window to the Mississippi Gulf Coast **Industrial Park**.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Facilities:** 24‑hour inspection services with the *Automated Commercial Environment* (ACE) system, expediting clearance for high‑value cargo.
- **Cruise Terminal:** A 250‑berth facility that accommodates vessels up to 225,000 GT, featuring passenger processing halls, customs, and integrated tourism amenities.
- **Warehousing & Cold Storage:** Over 1.5 million sq ft of bonded warehouses, including a 500,000 sq ft refrigerated complex for perishable goods.
The port’s **digital twin platform**—launched in 2022—offers real‑time vessel traffic monitoring, predictive maintenance alerts, and data analytics for stakeholders, positioning New Orleans at the forefront of **smart‑port initiatives**.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Impact
The Port of New Orleans underpins a **$30 billion economic engine** for the Gulf South region. Direct employment exceeds **20,000** jobs, while indirect and induced positions reach nearly **100,000**, spanning logistics, manufacturing, tourism, and ancillary services. Tax revenues generated by port activities contribute roughly **$2.8 billion** annually to Louisiana’s fiscal coffers, funding education, infrastructure, and public safety programs.
### National Relevance
Nationally, the port accounts for **≈6 % of U.S. container imports** and **≈5 % of exports**, with a notable concentration in **energy products (refined petroleum, biofuels)**, **agricultural commodities (soybeans, corn, rice)**, and **automotive parts**. Its cruise terminal is the **second‑largest U.S. passenger hub**, driving tourism dollars that exceed **$1.4 billion** per year.
### Strategic Advantages
- **Geopolitical Positioning:** Proximity to the *Gulf of Mexico* and direct access to the *Panama Canal* route offers competitive transit times to Asian markets relative to U.S. East Coast ports.
- **Supply‑Chain Resilience:** The port’s diversified cargo mix, combined with its robust intermodal links, provides a **redundant pathway for the central U.S. hinterland**, mitigating disruptions from congested Atlantic or West Coast corridors.
- **Innovation Hub:** Collaboration with the *Louisiana State University’s Center for Maritime Innovation* fosters research in **green shipping technologies**, including shore‑power electrification and low‑sulfur fuel adoption.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Trans‑Atlantic & Caribbean Corridors
- **North Atlantic:** Regular liner services to **Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp**, moving automotive components, consumer electronics, and specialty chemicals.
- **Caribbean Loop:** Feeder vessels connect to **San Juan, Bridgetown, and Port of Spain**, supporting the exchange of refined petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and tropical fruits.
### Gulf of Mexico & Latin America
- **Mexico & Central America:** Direct trades with **Veracruz, Manzanillo, and Panama**, focusing on **cotton, steel, and agricultural inputs**.
- **South America:** Dedicated routes to **Buenos Aires and Santos**, exporting **U.S. corn and soybeans**, and importing **iron ore and fertilizers**.
### Domestic Inland Network
- **Mississippi River System:** Over 40 % of the port’s cargo volume transits via barge to **St. Louis, Memphis, and Minneapolis**, leveraging the river’s capacity for bulk commodities.
- **Rail‑Based Distribution:** Containerized goods flow to the **Midwest** (Chicago, Milwaukee) and **Great Plains** (Kansas City, Omaha) through high‑speed rail corridors.
### Cargo Profile (2023)
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume | Share of Total |
|------------|----------------|----------------|
| **Petroleum & Refined Products** | 12.3 Mt | 27 % |
| **Agricultural Commodities** (grain, soy, rice) | 9.8 Mt | 22 % |
| **Containers (TEU)** | 2.8 M TEU | 15 % |
| **Automotive & Parts** | 3.1 Mt | 7 % |
| **Chemicals & Plastics** | 4.5 Mt | 10 % |
| **Cruise Passengers** | 1.2 M pax | 5 % |
| **Other (Metals, Forestry)** | 5.8 Mt | 14 % |
The port’s **commodity diversification** mitigates exposure to sector‑specific cycles, while its **cruise itinerary**—linking New Orleans to Caribbean destinations such as **Cozumel, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk**—reinforces the city’s reputation as a cultural gateway.
For additional technical details, consult the **Port of New Orleans Authority** website[^1] and the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation project pages**[^2].
---
[^1]: https://www.opno.com
[^2]: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/
---
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USMSY
Country
United States
Province / Region
Louisiana
Latitude
29.951066
Longitude
-90.071532
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of New Orleans?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of New Orleans is USMSY.
Where is Port of New Orleans located?
The Port of New Orleans is located in United States, Louisiana. Its coordinates are 29.9511°N, -90.0715°E.
What time zone is Port of New Orleans in?
Port of New Orleans operates in the America/Chicago time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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