Mississippi River Channel Deepening Project

The Lower Mississippi River Deep-Draft Ports Complex (Baton Rouge, South Louisiana, New Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines) is a powerhouse in international trade and the nation’s busiest port system. The cargoes moved through these five ports account for nearly 70 percent of the nation’s grain exports and more than 20 percent of the nation’s coal and petroleum cargoes. The economic impact of the Lower Mississippi River Deep-Draft Ports Complex is nationally significant.

The channel deepening would generate commerce, stimulate coastal restoration and enhance the water carrying capacity of the gateway to the center of our nation: The Lower Mississippi River. The multiple benefits include substantive transportation cost-savings to the American farmers, job creation throughout the nation’s interior, and increased flood protection of businesses, farms and homes. The deepening project to make the navigation channel consistent with the depth of the Panama Canal has a strong benefit cost ratio of 7.2 to 1. Additionally, there are an estimated $40 billion in new investments for proposed facilities already in various stages of development within the Lower Mississippi River Deep-Draft Ports Complex. The channel deepening would ensure these ports continue U.S. economic and jobs growth.