The 15 Largest Ports in the USA

The Americas (North and South) have increased their significant contribution to the world economy with a third of the total global GDP. This means there is a lot of movement here. Accommodating the immense volume of trade has led to the construction of some of the largest ports in the world. It follows that the largest seaports here are easily top the list of the world’s largest and busiest ports. For this reason, we have a list of 15 largest ports in the US and busiest ports in the USA according to the Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) volume.

1.    Port of Los Angeles

This is the 18th busiest on the planet, occupying 43 miles of waterfront in San Pedro Bay. Averaging 9 million TEUs annually, this seaport moves cargo worth $1.2 billion, which makes almost half of all the cargo entering the USA. Thanks to advanced technology employed, robots staff the cargo, and self-driving vehicles move containers swiftly and efficiently.

2.    Port of Long Beach

This is considered the main gateway to cargo shipment to and from Asia. Cargo moved is worth $180 billion, equivalent to 4.7 million TEUs. It ranks 21st busiest on the globe. They plan to upgrade its terminals, waterways, rail lines, and other safety measures to improve its functionality. After completion, it is set to move up the rankings because it will be capable to accommodate more shipment at faster rates.

The two seaports are conjoined on the southwestern coast of the USA. They play the gateway to trade routes to Asia and have the busiest schedules all year round. Although they are separate, both of them compete closely and share resources. Combining the TEU of the two yields up to 25% of all North America’s container trade. This means together, they are the 10th busiest on the planet.

3.    Port of New York

This is the busiest seaport on the American east coast with four terminals and focuses on shipment to and from Europe. It is currently undergoing upgrades to double its capacity. After completion of the main terminals. It will be rank among the top 20 busiest ports in the world. Currently, it brings averagely 6.3 TEUs annually, but is expected to bring twice as much on completion of the expansion process.

4.    Port of Savannah

With 3. 64 million TEUs, this one is located in Georgia boasts of the nation’s largest single terminal container facility. It also attracts the highest concentration of import distribution centers. Here, container trade grew by 32% by the end of the previous year and is set to keep increasing.

5.    Port of Seattle

The port of Seattle-Tacoma operates jointly with the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Together they move at least 2.4 million TEUs, which is a strong result after some time of poor performance. It seems to regain its popularity.

6.    Port of Virginia

This US east coast ports is strategic for ships reaching to open sea in under 2.5 hours. Most of the ships are headed for Europe. It is overwhelmed with the 2.1 million TEUs and is desperate for expansion. The future Craney Island Marine Terminal seems to be the reasonable solution for global growth. After completion, this terminal of Virginia will handle larger vessels and wider international trade.

7.    The Port of Houston

This is the largest and busiest in US found on the Gulf coast, which means three quarters of all US gulf coast container traffic finds its way to this place. There is a consistent increase of imports in summer and an increase of exports during winter. It brings 1.8 million TEUs, but keeps rising up the ranks of the busiest in the world. The authorities have initiated a deepening process to further it to 45 feet.

8.    Port of Oakland

This one handles 99% of all containerized cargo activity in Northern California. With yearly, increase, now averages 1.7 million TEUs. There is an undergoing construction process on the largest logistics hub. When complete, it will be among the top US terminal according to frequency of cargo handled yearly.

9.    South Carolina Ports

In South Carolina include the seaports of Charleston and Georgetown. With 1.6 million TEUs in the five public terminals, at least 1 million containers pass here. It is characterized by large cranes up to 80 feet and huge forklift able to move up to 600 containers.

10.    Port of Charleston

With a main channel of 47 feet in depth, the port of Charleston moves 1.7 million TEUs with a yearly growth of 11.9. It trades with Japan and China, Europe (France, Belgium, German, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and India among others. The main exports are paper, wood pulp and auto parts.

11.    The Port of Norfolk

Moving 1.2 million TEUs, the port of Norfolk is crucial to the US economy. It has a growth of 6.8% annually and in desperate need for upgrades too. Most of the ships go to European countries including the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Portugal.

12.    The Port of South Louisiana

The South Louisiana has some of the largest tonnage district in the entire continent. It is the main gateway to the western hemisphere and stretches 54 miles along the Mississippi River.  Facilities are found in St. John the Baptist and St. James Parish with five top-notch facilities.

13.     Port Everglades

Port Everglades is found on the coast of the Florida Peninsula and known for its diversity. It is mostly known as a cruise terminal, but also handles containerized cargo. It is the main seaport for petroleum products exports such as gasoline and jet fuel.

14.    Port of Beaumont

Popularly known as there the streets meet the world, the port of Beaumont is a busy place connecting Virginia to the Open Atlantic to Europe and Africa.

15.    Port of New Orleans

This port serves as a diverse cargo and cruise terminal at the same time. It has a long history of adventure, but soon became busy with container movement over time. Currently, it moves up to 300,000 TEUs but has little growth. It is one of the busiest in world comparisons.

See  the top 20 largest ports in the world