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Port of Lake Charles

USLCH🇺🇸USA

Port Location

About Port of Lake Charles

This industrial port is located in southwestern Louisiana. It handles bulk cargo and is a significant industrial park. Tugs are compulsory for vessels.

Background
The Port of Lake Charles is an industrial port based in the city of Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.A. It is a major employer in Lake Charles. It is the twelfth-busiest port in the United States according to the American Association of Port Authorities U.S. Port Ranking by Cargo Tonnage, 2013 report and the 83rd-busiest in the world in terms of tonnage according to the American Association of Port Authorities World Port Rankings 2013 report. According to Benchmarkia's Industrial Park Ranking, Port of Lake Charles is ranked as the fifth-largest industrial park in the world by total area. The Calcasieu Ship Channel provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, 34 miles downstream from the city docks. The ship channel intersects the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway just north of Calcasieu Lake. The Ship Channel has a project depth of 40 feet and a bottom width of 400 feet.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
11ft
Elevation
2m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
U
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
9040 →
GeoNames ID
13512741 →
Wikidata
Q7231172 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.portlc.com →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
USLCH
Country
🇺🇸USA
Time Zone
UTC-6
Feature Type
PRT (Port)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River natural
Shelter
None

Region

Subdivision
US-LA
Area
Gulf of Mexico
Latitude
30.1809°
Longitude
-93.2968°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Lake Charles?+
The approach to Lake Charles is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Calcasieu Channel D Range Rear Lighthouse at 4.9 NM to the SSW. Other aids include Calcasieu Channel A Range Rear (24.1 NM S), Sabine-Neches Canal Range H Rear (37.8 NM WSW), Sabine River Range (39.9 NM SW), Sabine Pass (40.1 NM SW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What sea or ocean is the Port of Lake Charles on?+
The Port of Lake Charles is situated on the Gulf of Mexico in US. The area falls within the subtropical climate zone with mild winters and warm summers, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Lake Charles?+
You can track vessels near Lake Charles (USLCH) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for USLCH on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Lake Charles?+
The Port of Lake Charles operates in the UTC-6 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.