The Port of Memphis
Your Gateway to Global Commerce
- About
The International Port of Memphis is a critical hub for multimodal transportation, connecting river, road, rail, and air networks in the center of North America. As the second-largest inland port on the shallow draft portion of the Mississippi River, and the sixth-largest in the U.S., it serves as a linchpin in the global supply chain, moving essential goods and materials efficiently across the country and the world.
The Port spans both the Tennessee and Arkansas sides of the Mississippi River, covering 15 river miles from mile 725 to mile 740. It is home to 68 waterfront facilities, 37 of which are terminals handling vital products like petroleum, cement, steel, fertilizers, and grains. With year-round, ice-free operation, the Port plays an integral role in maintaining the steady flow of commerce.
Key sections of the Port include the McKellar Lake and President’s Island complex, West Memphis Harbor, Rivergate Harbor, Wolf River Harbor, and Fullen Dock. President’s Island alone hosts 95% of the industries located within the Port’s jurisdiction, underscoring its importance in regional economic development.
The origins of the Port of Memphis trace back to the transportation booms of World War I and World War II, when the city’s cobblestone riverfront proved inadequate for the large-scale demands of the era. As Memphis solidified its reputation as a national transportation hub, city and county leaders recognized the need for a modernized industrial port that could accommodate growing trade and manufacturing demands. The Mississippi River, a natural gateway for commerce, positioned Memphis as a critical inland port, but outdated infrastructure limited its potential.
In 1946, Memphis and Shelby County officials identified President’s Island as the ideal location for a new industrial area – separate from downtown congestion, yet close enough for efficient commerce. However, the island’s susceptibility to flooding posed a challenge. To overcome this, engineers constructed a closure dam connecting its northern tip to the mainland, stabilizing the land. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers then dredged a harbor on the island’s slack water side, using the excavated material to elevate surrounding land, creating a flood-resistant industrial park. These strategic developments laid the foundation for what would become one of the most significant inland ports in the United States, fueling economic expansion for generations to come.
68 Waterfront facilites
It is home to 68 waterfront facilities, 37 of which are terminals handling vital products like petroleum, cement, steel, fertilizers, and grains.
15 Miles of riverfront
The Port spans both the Tennessee and Arkansas sides of the Mississippi River, covering 15 river miles from mile 725 to mile 740
Hosts 95% of industries
President’s Island alone hosts 95% of the industries located within the Port's jurisdiction, underscoring its importance in regional economic development.