The United States constitutes over one-quarter of the world’s total consumption, and as a result, possesses some of the world’s largest and busiest ports along its coastal regions. The ocean freight industry and the exchange of imports and exports are critical to both the US and global economies. Here are the top 10 crucial seaports in the USA that you should know about.
Port of New York and New Jersey
Source: https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/port-authority-new-york-and-new-jersey-seeks-19bn-bailout-amid-covid-19
Serving as the busiest and largest seaport along the east coast and the third-largest seaport in the US, the Port of New York and New Jersey provides access to consumer markets and supply chains throughout the world. This port contributed over 11% of container trade in North America in 2015 by shipping more than 4.5 million TEUs. It primarily operates in the transport of commodities such as bulk cargo, scrap metal, and petroleum.
Port of Virginia
Another one of the east coast’s busiest ports, in 2016, the Port of Virginia handled 11.6% of the total throughput. Ships take only 2.5 hours to reach open water from the port, and up to a third of the port’s cargo departs and arrives by train. Recently, regulators in the United States signed off on an alliance between port authorities in Virginia and Georgia. As the first of such partnerships to be formed, it is expected to increase both ports’ effectiveness as they synergize and share information.
South Carolina Ports
Source: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/south-carolina-ports-inland-terminals-report-record-february
The South Carolina Ports consist of seaports located in Georgetown and Charleston. The Charleston port is specially equipped to serve both cruise and container ships, and deal with the import and export of handling containers. It also provides access for motor vehicles and operates five public terminals. Together, the South Carolina Ports registered a record total of 1.996 million TEUs back in 2016.
Related: West Coast Port Congestion
Georgia Ports
Georgia’s primary ports are the Port of Brunswick and the Port of Savannah. The former is connected to over 500 acres of land owned and leased by the auto industry and is recognized as a top destination for new auto imports. The Port of Savannah includes the largest single-terminal container facility in North America and numerous distribution centers along the east coast.
Port of Miami
This port serves as one of the primary hubs for both global tourism and commerce because of its strategic positioning between North and South America. The Port of Miami possesses the deepest shipping channel of all the southeastern US ports and is the only one equipped to serve neo-Panamax vessels. It registered the most immense growth of the top US ports back in 2015, going up 13.4% in handled TEUs compared to 2014.
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Port of Houston
Source: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-houston-closes-two-terminals-after-positive-coronavirus-test
Located on the Gulf Coast, the Port of Houston is considered to be one of the busiest and largest ports in the US. The port is located only a few hours from the Gulf of Mexico, and it stretches an expanse of 25 miles. In 2016, this port handled as much as 68% of the US’ container traffic along the Gulf Coast. It has acquired ship-to-shore cranes to better serve the growth of container ships and the expansion of the Panama Canal.
Related: Possible California Port Strike Opposing AB5 on November 4th, 5th, and 6th
Port of Los Angeles
Strategically located in the San Pedro Bay of California, the Port of Los Angeles- also known as America’s Port– is responsible for the majority of trade along the Transpacific. The port stretches along 43 miles of waterfront and occupies 7,500 acres of land. In 2015 alone, it handled almost 4.4 million TEUs, approximately 13.5% of North America’s market share. The Port of Los Angeles has remained the top US port since 2000 and is recognized as the 19th busiest in the world.
Port of Long Beach
Sister to the Los Angeles Port, the Port of Long Beach handled 12.1% of America’s market share in 2015 when it dealt with more than 4.9 million TEUs. Together, the two ports handle over one-fourth of North America’s total container trade. As one of the major shipping gateways for trade with Asia, the Port of Long Beach is both popular and profitable. Approximately $180 billion worth of trade is moved through this port annually.
Port of Oakland
In 2015, the Port of Oakland handled approximately 3.7% of North America’s market share by shipping and receiving over 1.5 million TEUs. It is considered one of the primary three West Coast gateways for cargo containers coming in and out of the US. The Port of Oakland handles over 99% of contained goods that come and go from North California, and it serves an estimated 34 million consumers located within a seven-hour car ride from the port.
Related: Contraband Seized at Port of Philadelphia
Port of Seattle-Tacoma
In 2015, Washington state’s two major ports– the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma– combined to be jointly operated by the Northwest Seaport Alliance. The volume of cargo handled by both ports was over 2.1 million TEUs in 2015, which counted for as much as 5.3% of North America’s market share. As of April 2017, the two ports registered their strongest first quarter since 2005 regarding international container volumes.
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