Maritime transport plays an important worldwide role, including in the US. The article presents the largest ports in North America with brief descriptions. Although the US economy is considered one of the most powerful in the world, the largest US port is only in the second ten on the list of the largest seaports in the world.
Port of Los Angeles
Port Los Angeles is the largest port in North America. The whole complex covers 30 km2 and stretches over 70 km of the coast. It was created in 1907.
The port has 270 quays and 27 terminals.
It is the largest port in the United States in terms of container traffic, amounting to about 9.7 million TEU in 2018.
The main goods that arrive at the port are furniture, toys, footwear, clothes, as well as electronic equipment. However, mainly textiles, feed, paper products, scrap, and soy are exported.
The port’s partners who ship the most goods to Los Angeles are primarily China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Thailand.
Long Beach Port
The second-largest port in North America is located about 30 km south of the Port of Los Angeles. The port covers an area of over 12 km2. It has 80 quays and 71 cranes that deal with container handling.
The port was opened in 1911.
The main partners of the port include primarily East Asian countries.
In 2018, over 8 million TEU was transhipped at the port.
The port is known for its approach to ecology and caring for the environment. It is the leader among ports in this matter.
New York & New Jersey Port
New York & New Jersey Port is the largest port on the East Coast. It is also the third-largest transshipment port in the United States.
The port covers an area of almost 4 km2. There are seven freight ports under the management of the complex authorities and a number of privately owned terminals. The port complex is the most important in the USA when it comes to reloading cars and one of the most important when it comes to reloading goods such as bananas and cocoa. Beverages, vehicles, and plastic are usually imported from the New York & New Jersey Port. The main export products were mainly goods such as wood pulp, plastic, and machinery.
Shipowners operating the port are primarily APL, CMA / CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, OOCL, and Yang Ming.
7.1 million TEU was transhipped at the port in 2018.
Norfolk Port
The port of Norfolk is in Virginia and is managed by the Virginia Port Authority. It was established in 1965.
The port has four terminals, i.e., Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT), Newport News Marine Terminal (NNMT), and Virginia International Gateway (VIG) in Portsmouth.
The Norfolk terminal has five berths for ships that carry containers. The port is constantly developing and increasing transshipment capacity.
2.8 million TEU cargo was transhipped at the port in 2018.
Transport from Gdynia to Norfolk takes about 23 days, while transport from Norfolk to Gdynia takes 19 days.
Shipowners operating in the port include CMA / CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, MSC, OOCL, Yang Ming, and ZIM.
Port of Houston
Port of Houston was founded in 1909 on the Galveston Bay.
The port mainly exports crude oil and derived products, as well as organic chemicals. The largest recipients of goods are primarily countries such as Mexico, Italy, Brazil, Belgium, South Korea, and the Netherlands. Petroleum, related products, iron, and steel are also imported. Goods mainly come from Mexico, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Algeria.
Approximately 2.5 million TEU of cargo was transhipped at the port in 2018.
Charleston Port
Port Charleston is located in South Carolina. It has five public terminals: Wando Walch Terminal, Columbus Street Terminal, North Charleston Terminal, Veterans Terminal, and Naval Base Terminal.
Bulk cargo, i.e., crude oil, coal, and steel, can be handled at the port. During the civil war, the port was destroyed. Since 1942 it has received support, thanks to which it has been gradually developing.
Approximately 2.2 million TEU cargo was transhipped at the port in 2018.
Shipowners serving the Charleston port include CMA / CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, Hyundai, MSC, OOCL, Yang Ming, ZIM.
Import from Charleston to Gdynia usually take 26 days. However, it takes 20 days to export from Gdynia to Charleston.
Baltimore Port
The port of Baltimore is in Maryland. The Maryland Port Administration operates it.
Mercedes-Benz cars are transported through the Baltimore port, and then goods are transported to the United States.
1 million TEU of cargo was transhipped at the port in 2018.
Import from Baltimore to Gdynia takes 22 days, while export from Gdynia to Baltimore takes 28 days.
Shipowners operating in the port are primarily COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag Lloyd, MSC, and Yang Ming.
Graphics sources: https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/los-angeles-port-86
https://safety4sea.com/port-of-long-beach-to-lead-energy-resiliency-project/
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/new-york-port-authority-adopts-ghg-plan-support-paris-climate-agreement
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/maritime/port-report-houston-ship-size-limits
https://www.proptalk.com/port-of-baltimore-record-year-2018
