The Port of South Louisiana sets a cargo-volume record in 2014, surpassing 2013’s tonnage of 266.3 million short tons by 10%. It also topples the previous record-breaking year’s tonnage of 278.9 million short tons in 2012 by 5%. The district’s total throughput increase was propelled, in particular, by the handling of Grain (28%), Chemicals/Fertilizers (12%), Crude Oil (8%), Ores/Phosphate Rock (37%), Petrochemicals (1%), and Steel Products (37%). Total throughput for 2014 was over 291.8 million short tons, 25.5 million short tons more than in 2013. There were 12% more vessel calls (4,377) and barge movements (57,350) in 2014 than in 2013. Exports were over 73.2 million short tons, while domestic trade exceeded 148.9 million short tons, representing increases of 26% and 9% respectively compared to 2013 trade. The growth of 15.2 million short tons in export trade was aided primarily by commodities such as Grain (31%), Chemicals/Fertilizers (190%), and Petrochemicals (22%). Though imports as a whole saw a slight decrease (4%), products like Crude Oil, Ores/Phosphate Rock, and Steel Products saw significant gains by 3%, 35%, and 12%, respectively. The last year the Port of South Louisiana saw record-breaking numbers was in 2012, when 278.9 million short tons of cargo was handled by its facilities. Not surprisingly, the 12.9 million short tons increase from 2012 trade was promoted by the handling of Grain (17%), Chemicals/Fertilizers (21%), Crude Oil (13%), Ores/Phosphate Rock (14%), Petrochemicals (8%), and Steel Products (11%). The 19% rise in exports was led by our top most-handled commodities: Grain (19%), Chemicals/Fertilizers (753%), Crude Oil (1783%), and Petrochemicals (20%). Domestic trade expanded by 7% and imports continue a declining trend (11% in 2014 when compared to 2012; 18% when compared to 2011). “I’m so very pleased and excited about the record-breaking tonnage figures,” said Executive Director Paul Aucoin. “They illustrate the Port’s vitality and the importance of the Port and the River Region to our state and our country.”