Last Modified: September 12, 2008Ports

The 2,000 acre Port of Shreveport-Bossier is one of the fastest growing inland ports in America because of its central location along the Red River, convenient connections to train lines and Interstate Highways, and the City of Shreveport’s continuing commitment to encouraging economic development at the Port. The combination of boat, train and truck transportation lines that are available at the Port enables businesses to conduct trade in both domestic and international markets through the Mississippi River system to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Transportation of cargoes to and from the Port by barge on the river system is becoming increasingly advantageous because barges are safe and energy efficient, cost effective, and they produce very little noise or air pollution.

Why new businesses are moving into the Port of Shreveport-Bossier:

The Port has a 9 ft. deep and 200 ft. wide shallow draft navigation channel controlled by 5 locks and dams that are well maintained by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Port also includes Slack Water Harbor, a 3,200 ft. long by 250 ft. wide harbor that has a 400 ft. wide turning basin at the end of the barge channel. New business development is facilitated by the Port, which is able to lease properties already zoned for industrial development including tax exemptions, full utility connections, and even bond financing programs. Commercial cargoes handled by companies located at the Port of Shreveport-Bossier include solid and liquid fertilizers, many different types of chemicals, coal and petroleum products, agricultural commodities, containers offloaded from barges, industrial wastewater, and any other product that can be legally transported, bought and sold in the United States.