Miss. Code Ann. § 59-7-305: Miss. Code Ann. § 59-7-305

The authorities of any municipality in which there is situated and located, in whole or in part, a port of entry through which commodities are imported and exported to foreign nations, which maintains a channel and/or harbor to a depth of not less than twenty feet, are hereby given the authority to engage in, either directly or through the commission hereinafter provided and designated and such other agencies as hereafter may be provided by law, work of internal improvement, or promoting, developing, constructing, maintaining, and operating harbors or seaports within the state and its jurisdiction, and either directly or through the commission hereinafter provided for, shall have the power to acquire, purchase, install, rent, lease, mortgage, and/or otherwise encumber, to construct, own, hold, maintain, equip, use, control and operate at seaports, wharves, piers, docks, quays, grain elevators, cotton compresses, warehouses, floating dry docks, graving docks, marine railways, tugboats, cold storage facilities and other water and rail terminals and other structures, and facilities needful for the convenient use of the same in the aid of commerce including the dredging of approaches thereto.