Louisiana ports lead U.S. in total cargo tonnage

Louisiana had America's largest single port and four ports among the top 10 in the latest cargo tonnage report, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said recently.

The Port of South Louisiana was No. 1 again, with 216.4 million tons of total waterborne commerce in 2002.

Houston was second at 177.6 million tons. New York-New Jersey was third at 134.5 million, Beaumont (Texas) fourth at 85.9 million and New Orleans fifth at 85 million.

Total waterborne commerce includes import, export, coastal and inland commerce. The figures are compiled by the Corps' Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center in New Orleans.

In totals by state, Louisiana led with 484.9 million tons in 2002. Texas was second with 442.3 million; California third, 190.1 million; Florida fourth, 122.5 million and Illinois fifth, 120.3 million.

Texas led U.S. export-import tonnage with 325.1 million. Louisiana, benefiting from the Mississippi River's inland waterway system, led domestic traffic at 269.2 million tons.

Louisiana's leading cargoes are bulk products such as grain, chemicals and petroleum. It is led by four ports on the Mississippi River: South Louisiana, based in LaPlace; New Orleans; Baton Rouge, No. 9 and the Port of Plaquemines, No. 10. Lake Charles, La., is No. 16.

Texas ports also include Corpus Christi, ranked 7th; Texas City, 11th; Freeport, 24th, and Port Arthur, 30th. California's ports include Long Beach, No. 8 and Los Angeles, No. 12.