The Port of South Louisiana set an unprecedented cargo-volume record in 2017, post officials said, surpassing 2016’s tonnage of 294.9 million short tons by 4.4 percent.

The district’s total tonnage increase was propelled, in particular, by the handling of Chemicals/Fertilizers (6 percent), Coal/Lignite/Coke (123 percent), Crude Oil (4 percent), Ores/Phosphate Rock (2 percent), Petrochemicals (4 percent), and Steel Products (41 percent).

“I was very pleased to see the Port of South Louisiana increase its tonnage, vessel and barge numbers by such an impressive amount,” Port Executive Director Paul Aucoin said. “We look forward to another good year.”

Total tonnage for 2017 was over 307.8 million short tons, 12.9 million short tons more than in 2016. Both vessel calls and barge movements in the Port district increased in 2017: 4,589 and 65,490, respectively.

Exports were over 71.7 million short tons, while domestic trade exceeded 160.1 million short tons, representing increases of 6% and 4.2% respectively compared to 2016 trade.

Port of South Louisiana officials said the local port consistently ranks above the ports of Houston, New York/New Jersey, New Orleans and Los Angeles, making it the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere.

International shipping magazine Fairplay recently reported Port of South Louisiana was ranked 16th in the world, making it the only U.S. port ranked in the top 20 ports in the world.