A ride along the length of the Red River Waterway gives clues to how the river is being put to commercial use. A barge loaded with pressure vessels from Shreveport/Bossier heads for a petrochemical plant in Africa. Multiple barges heavy with military trucks and equipment move downstream from the Port of Alexandria. A shipment of liquid petroleum products heads for a distant distribution site. Barges piled high with aggregate roll past, destined for area road construction projects.

On any given day, products such as creosote, fertilizer, coiled steel or chemicals may be the cargo enroute to destinations near and far.

What makes all these movements possible is the navigable Red River, aided by excellent facilities at ports and industrial parks along the river's path.

Five public port complexes on the Red River are presently operating - The Port of Shreveport-Bossier, the Port of Alexandria, Natchitoches Parish Port, the Port of Red River Parish, and the Port of Avoyelles Parish.