Latest data shows the port system also continues to rank among the nation’s highest-volume inland ports, while ongoing investments strengthen capacity and efficiency
[ST. LOUIS, MO/OCT. 14, 2026] The latest data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirms the St. Louis region’s ports remain the most efficient inland port system in the nation based on tons moved per river mile. The data ranks the St. Louis Metro Port system fourth in total tonnage and first in efficiency among the seven inland statistical port areas compared.
In 2024, the 70-mile St. Louis Metro Port handled 24.8 million tons of cargo. The system moved 354,286 tons per river mile, more than twice the amount moved per mile by each of the three port districts that handled more total tonnage. That same year, the St. Louis system moved more than 10 times the average of 31,072 tons per mile handled by the other three inland port districts.
St. Louis Metro Ports include the following individual ports: America’s Central Port (IL), Southwest Regional Port District (IL), St. Louis City Port Authority (MO), St. Louis County Port Authority (MO) and Jefferson County Port Authority (MO). Though not part of St. Louis Metro Ports by the definition of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Kaskaskia Regional Port District (IL) is an additional port in the bi-state St. Louis region that also plays an important role in moving freight on the inland waterways. It has consistently handled more than five million tons of cargo annually since 2017, contributing to the region’s exceptional freight-handling capacity and efficiency.
“Maintaining our position as the nation’s most efficient inland port is especially significant because efficiency translates directly into value for shippers and carriers,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. “Our ports continue to invest in the infrastructure, equipment and multimodal connections needed to increase capacity, streamline the movement of freight and support the region’s competitiveness as a global logistics hub.”…