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Industry and Market Overview

  • Structural  expansion changes to the Panama Canal will  facilitate increased container volume (to 13,000 from 4,000 TEUs per ship) and reshape global trade patterns

    • Panama Canal expansion is predicted to increase  the flow of containers  to the U.S. Gulf Ports by 0.5 to 1 million TEUs annually, with additional ramp up expected as capacity allows for more container traffic

  • Several competing ports operate in the Gulf Coast region. All are draft restricted in terms of accommodating post-Panamax vessels that require a 42 – 60 foot draft 

  • In addition, several Caribbean ports (Bahamas, Costa Rica, Panama) compete in the container shipping space, although all are Jones Act restricted 

  • The LIGTT project offers significant advantages in the form of no draft restrictions and direct access to the extensive waterway network of the Mississippi River and its tributaries

Overview of Deep-Water ports in the Gulf and Caribbean

Houston (max berth depth of -45 ft)

Miami (dredged depth of -50ft)

Colon Panama (dredged depth of -52 ft)

Moín Costa Rica (approach channel dredged to -62 ft) 

Freeport, Bahamas (dredged depth of -51 ft)

New Orleans (max berth depth of -45 ft)

Port Arthur (max berth depth of -45 ft)

Gulfport (max berth depth of -45 ft)

LIGTT (berth depths -60ft)

Mobile (max berth depth of -45 ft)

Charleston (dredged depth of -45 ft)

Savannah (dredged depth of -47 ft)

Panama Canal Expansion

South America's Panama Canal

  • In order to accommodate post-Panamax vessels (ships with >4,000 TEU), the Panama Canal is undergoing construction to add a new lock system that will accommodate vessels with a capacity of more than 13,000 TEU

    • Post-Panamax vessels now account for around 48% of the global fleet capaci

       

  • There are currently only three U.S. Atlantic ports that are able to handle post-Panamax vessels2

 

  • Opening of the new locks is scheduled for January 2016

 

  • LIGTT superport will accommodate post-Panamax vessels and beyond with the deepest berth depths in the Gulf and Atlantic regions

Global Trading Hub Providing Access to 33 U.S. States

& 3 Canadian Provinces

  • The new supply chain provides access to America’s heartland and introduces a more efficient way to import and export agricultural products, rubber, wood, paper, metals, consumer goods, chemicals, and other commodities

 

  • The Mississippi River and its tributaries traverse 14,500 miles of inland waterways,  reaching 33 states and three Canadian Provinces.

 

  • LIGTT aims to serve as an international trading hub between mainland USA and global trading partners

LIGTT as a Hub for Global Trade...

Providing access to America's water-based "highway"

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