U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Freight Economy
Date: March 7, 2016
Our Host: New Orleans Regional Planning Commission & Chamber of Commerce
| HIGHWAYS |  | I-10, I-12, I-55, I-59, I-310, US-190 and LA-21 |
| RAILROADS |  | CSX, NS, KSC, IC, UP and BNSF Intermodal Rail Yards |
| AIRPORTS |  | New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, Lakefront Airport |
| WATERBORNE |  | Deep Water Ports: New Orleans, South Louisiana, St. Bernard and Plaquemines. Inland Waterborne: Mississippi River, Gulf Intercoastal Waterway and Inner Harbor Navigation Channel. |
| PIPELINE |  | Mileage of 21,555 |
Source: Source: FAF, New Orleans RPC and LA DOT
| Commodity | Value (millions $) | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel oils | 37,942 | 13% |
| Gasoline | 29,653 | 10% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 28,666 | 10% |
| Crude petroleum | 23,104 | 8% |
| Natural gas (coal-n.e.c.) | 19,939 | 7% |
| All commodities | 296,255 | 100% |
| Commodity | Tons (thousands) | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel oils | 77,643 | 17% |
| Cereal grains | 70,909 | 15% |
| Natural gas (coal-n.e.c.) | 63,421 | 14% |
| Crude petroleum | 52,608 | 11% |
| Gasoline | 44,684 | 10% |
| All commodities | 467,715 | 100% |
| Trade partner | Tonnage | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 36,265 | 21% |
| Mississippi | 18,619 | 11% |
| Texas | 18,026 | 10% |
| Rest of Americas | 16,919 | 10% |
| Eastern Asia | 16,050 | 9% |
| Total outbound | 173,730 | 100% |
| Trade partner | Tonnage | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 33,104 | 17% |
| Missouri | 29,466 | 15% |
| Louisiana | 24,553 | 12% |
| Rest of Americas | 14,286 | 7% |
| North Dakoda | 10,867 | 5% |
| Total inbound | 199,992 | 100% |
*2012 from FAF4, 2040 from FAF3
International freight activity is quite significant for the New Orleans region, contributing 30% by tonnage and 28% by value in 2012.
The Port of New Orleans is the only U.S. maritime port with connections to six Class I railroads—accounting for 446 miles of track that tie into the region.
Pipelines are a significant mode of transportation in the New Orleans region. Over 21,000 miles of pipeline carry nearly 30 percent of all freight (by tons) in the region.
The New Orleans region will see multimodal freight activity grow substantially - 79% of the tonnage will move by non-truck modes by 2040.
Rail activity is expected to grow remarkably in the region by 2040 growing to nearly 38 percent of the total modal share by tonnage. Notably, the Port of New Orleans received a $16.7M TIGER grant for improvements to its Rail Intermodal Yard. This $25M project is expected to finish March 2016.
Among the top commodities by value moved by truck are machinery, motor vehicles, base metals, food-related products, gasoline, electronics, basic chemicals, fuel oils, meat and seafood.
The Port of New Orleans is a world leader in coffee imports. It hosts 14 coffee warehouses and modern bulk processing operations. There are six roasting facilities in a 20 mile radius.
The Port of South Louisiana is the nation’s top port by tonnage, with more than 212 million tons annually, and handles 60% of all U.S. grain shipments.
Interstates 10, 12, 55 and 59 are intermodal connections help to make the New Orleans region an important center of freight-trucking activity.
International trade and logistics is one of the major industry sectors in the New Orleans region accounting for over 17,000 jobs.
Sources for Freight Facts: FAF, New Orleans RPC and LA DOT.
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