The five deep-water ports of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) have entered into a landmark agreement to engage Polaris Analytics & Consulting in the development of a collaborative marketing strategy aimed at increasing international trade and driving economic growth.
The five ports of the LMR include the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Port of South Louisiana, Port of New Orleans, St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, and Louisiana Gateway Port.
Backed by Governor Jeff Landry and the LPWIC, the plan unifies one of the world’s busiest port complexes, handling over 500 million tonnes annually — nearly 20 per cent of all US cargo.
Polaris will lead a comprehensive scope of services that includes:
- Assessing the strategic positioning of five ports; both individually and collectively
- Stakeholder engagement and competitive benchmarking
- Development of a unified value proposition
- Strategic marketing plan and execution roadmap
The initiative builds on the March 2025 “Cargo Market Analysis and Strategy for the Lower Mississippi River Ports” report and aligns with the LPWIC and Louisiana Economic Development’s (LED) strategic goals.
Susan B. Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, said: “This collaboration among our Lower Mississippi River ports is a powerful example of the kind of regional alignment and focus outlined in our new strategic plan.
“By speaking with one voice and leveraging shared strengths, these ports are not only enhancing Louisiana’s global trade presence, they’re creating high-wage jobs, driving investment and positioning Louisiana to win on the world stage.”
Julia Fisher Cormier, Commissioner of the Office of Multimodal Commerce, stated: “Spanning 256 miles of the mighty Mississippi, Louisiana’s five Lower River ports form an unrivalled economic powerhouse.
“Each port brings distinct strengths, but together they operate as a unified force, driving global trade, fuelling industry and positioning America as a dominant contender in the international marketplace.”
Last June, the Louisiana Legislature’s 2024 regular session allocated $230.5 million to the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) for infrastructure projects.