The Ports of Southern Louisiana are vital to the continued economic growth and stability of the United States. The figure above gives a visual representation of the major ports that drive our nation’s economy.
History
Many inventions and milestones in port infrastructure, shipping methods, and political and economic activity have led to the globalized, international interdependent world in which we live. From the introduction of the grain elevator in 1842, to the removal of the sack as a unit of measurement, to the invention of the intermodal shipping container in 1956, all of these innovations have contributed to the modern landscape of global trade.
Location
The ports of southern Louisiana are strategically located on the banks of the Mississippi, the single most important nautical artery of the United States. These ports are also the northernmost deep water ports accessible to ocean-going vessels. Their location along the mighty Mississippi and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico generates the largest proportion of cargo load volume of all the major ports in the United States. The importance of the ports of southern Louisiana to our nation’s economy cannot be understated.
Evolving Technologies
As population growth and increases in the global demand for international trade continue to rise, ship and port operation technologies continue to evolve. With the introduction of container ships and intermodal forms of transporting goods from source to destination, the modern maritime shipping landscape began to take shape. Today, economic pressures influence port development, as well as the expansion of maritime infrastructure such as the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal Expansion Project is set to be completed in 2015, and will dramatically change the shipping industry as larger ships with greater carrying capacity will reduce travels time by navigating the Panama Canal. 
Environmental Implications
New Orleans is situated in a precarious position on the shores of the Mississippi, and a short distance from the Gulf Coast. The coastal wetlands, marshes and swamps are under increasing danger from the dredging of pipelines, building of levees and storm walls, as well as the expansion of ports. Being that the ports of southern Louisiana are the northernmost deep water ports with access to the Mississippi, continued expansion and development will put pressure on the ecosystems and wildlife that calls the region home. The Mississippi is subject to pollution, much of which occurs as a result of vessel traffic in and out of the bustling ports. As the self-entitled stewards of the land, it is our duty to meet the demands of a globalized, interdependent economy, while mitigating the negative environmental impacts of human activity.
