The Port of Mobile rose to prominence in the early 18th century, when it became the first capital of French Louisiana -- under the name Fort Louis de la Louisiane -- in 1702. Mobile became a major center for shipbuilding and repair during and after World War I, and the tradition has continued until the present day.
The Port of Mobile ranks 14th in the United States for exports. Mobile is home to 190 shipping lines and in 2008 a total of 859 vessels, carrying over 28 million tons of cargo, visited the port.
Manufacturing, construction, aerospace and medicine are all major industries in the Port of Mobile. Extensive deposits of oil and natural gas have been developed in Mobile Bay and play an important part in the economy of the port.
