Port of Lake Charles
Maritime TransportationLouisiana, United States51-200 Employees
The Port of Lake Charles is a public maritime transportation authority based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on the Gulf Coast. It covers over 5,000 acres of industrial-zoned land and real estate along the Calcasieu River Ship Channel, and it operates two marine terminals. The port handles breakbulk and bulk cargo, including forest materials, aluminum ingots, grains, rice, petroleum and petroleum products, sand, and heavy-lift project cargos. The Calcasieu Ship Channel forms a link from the Gulf of Mexico to inland Lake Charles and serves as a critical conduit for refining activity, contributing to about 7.5% of the nation's daily fuel consumption. Officially named the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District, it is a public body created by the Louisiana Legislature and governed by a seven-member board. In addition to operating terminals, the port acts as landlord to companies leasing port-owned property, and in 2025 it announced a partnership with Harbour Mastery and NetSuite to transform its maritime operations.