The Busiest Container Ports in the USA
The USA plays a central role in global trade, and this is further accentuated by the massive port network the country possesses. Along America’s coasts, there are several major container ports serving international trade routes ranging from Asia to Europe, from Latin America to the Middle East. These ports are critical links in the global supply chain and support the continuous growth of the American economy. Taking a closer look at the busiest container ports in the USA helps us better understand their significance in the country’s economy and global trade.
Port of Los Angeles, California
The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) is among the world’s busiest ports and has retained the top position in North America for container trade for over 20 years. The Port of Los Angeles is the 17th busiest container port in the world. With 25 cargo terminals, 69.2 km of navigable water, and 186.68 km of railways, this major California gateway processes 20% of all cargo entering the USA, making it one of the largest ports.
Port of Long Beach, California
Located in the San Pedro Bay, the Port of Long Beach (POLB) is right next to the Port of Los Angeles. POLB is the second-largest port in the USA based on size and cargo volume and is the 21st busiest container port globally. The port serves as a critical gateway for trade between America and Asia. POLB is recognized as an environmental leader with forward-looking programs like the award-winning Green Port Policy. The port has a total of 22 shipping terminals, including six that handle container ships, and serves 175 shipping lines connecting to 217 ports. Following POLA, it’s one of the largest ports, with the total import and export value nearly amounting to $100 billion annually.
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey is a massive port on the East Coast of the USA and is among the country’s busiest ports. Serving both the states of New York and New Jersey, this port provides direct access to one of North America’s largest metropolitan areas, New York City, connecting it to the Atlantic Ocean. Having supported trade for centuries, the port plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth. Historically serving as a gateway for immigrants at Ellis Island, this port holds a significant place in America’s cultural and economic history. With advanced technology docks serving modern ships, extensive storage spaces, and impressive logistical infrastructure, it remains a major player in global trade.
Port of Savannah, Georgia
The Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City Terminal in Savannah, Georgia, is equipped with shore-to-ship cranes that load and unload ships. The Port of Georgia ranks as the fourth busiest in the USA. The port of Savannah, the only single terminal container facility in North America, transported 4.6 million TEUs in 2020. The port’s container capacity is projected to increase by 750,000 TEUs by 2023. The port’s new Jasper Ocean Terminal will be the country’s largest when ready by 2035. The port is home to warehouses or distribution centers for major companies like Heineken, IKEA, and Target.
Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, Washington
The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma formally combined in 2015 to form the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA). NWSA became the third-largest port in America in terms of cargo transportation in 2015. The combined entity of the Seattle and Tacoma ports is a crucial transition point in Asia-Pacific trade, offering producers and agriculturalists throughout the region and country valuable access to foreign markets. Maritime cargo operations at the NWSA facilities support over 58,000 jobs. Formed by the joint management of the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, the NWSA stands as the third-largest cargo transit point in the USA.
Port of Houston, Texas
The Port of Houston, the country’s busiest in terms of tonnage from foreign waters, ranks sixth in the USA. It’s also the largest container port in the US Gulf Coast. The Port of Houston manages 52% of project cargo among the ports in the region. The port, spanning over 50 miles, houses more than 200 public and private terminals. The port directly and indirectly provides employment to 3.2 million individuals. While the port has two container terminals, it hosts the largest petrochemical production complex in the USA. Oil and petroleum products lead the list of imports and exports. One of Port Houston’s focal points is the NeoPanamax expansion. The port accounts for 31% of the trade volume with Europe, 22% with Latin America, 15% with APEC, 12% with Africa, and 7% with the Middle East.
Port of Virginia, Virginia
One of the busiest ports on the East Coast, the Port of Virginia is the seventh busiest port in the United States. With an annual growth rate of 2.6% over the last five years, the port plans to handle more cargo in the future. The expansion of container terminals, Norfolk International Gateway and Virginia International Gateway, in 2020 has increased the overall capacity of the Port of Virginia to up to 1 million TEUs annually, equivalent to a 40% increase. The port provides 397,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Port of Oakland, California
Located in the San Francisco Bay, the Port of Oakland is the eighth busiest port in the United States. Managing 1,300 acres of maritime facilities, the port supports a market serving 14.5 million local consumers. This port was the first major port on the U.S. Pacific coast to build a terminal for container ships. Following the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle, and Tacoma (NWSA), the Port of Oakland is the fourth-largest on the Pacific Coast for container cargo. The port handles over 99% of containerized goods in Northern California.
Ports of South Carolina, South Carolina
The Ports of South Carolina are renowned for the Charleston Port and four other major ocean ports, complemented by a terminal in the inland areas. South Carolina Ports (S.C. Ports) rank ninth among the busiest ports in the United States. S.C. Ports operate Charleston Port, Georgetown Port, Inland Port Greer, and Inland Port Dillon, and provide employment directly or indirectly to 10% of the entire state.
Port Miami, Florida
Also known as the World’s Cruise Capital, Port Miami is one of America’s fastest-growing global gateways. In addition to being the world’s largest passenger port, it’s also one of the largest cargo ports in the United States. Its continually increasing cargo volume has exceeded 1 million TEUs in the past five years. The port contributes over $43 billion annually to Miami-Dade County’s local economy and supports over 334,500 jobs in Florida.