The United States is a major player in the global shipping industry, and its container ports serve as gateways for the import and export of goods from around the world. In this post, we’ll introduce the top 15 container ports in the country by volume and highlight some key facts about each of them.
Los Angeles, CA
Located in Southern California, the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest container port in the United States. It is a major economic engine for the region, supporting more than a million jobs in the state. In 2020, the port handled over 9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, while the top destinations for exports are Mexico, Japan, and China.
Long Beach, CA
Located just south of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach is the second busiest container port in the United States. It is a major hub for containerized cargo moving through the West Coast of the United States, handling over 8 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, while the top destinations for exports are Mexico, Japan, and China.
New York/New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the East Coast of the United States and the third busiest container port in the country. It is a vital link in the global supply chain, handling over 7 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, India, and Vietnam, while the top destinations for exports are Brazil, China, and India.
Savannah, GA
The Port of Savannah is the fourth busiest container port in the United States and the largest single-terminal container port in North America. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Asia, handling over 4 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and South Korea, while the top destinations for exports are China, Mexico, and Canada.
Houston, TX
The Port of Houston is the fifth busiest container port in the United States and a major hub for the import and export of oil and gas, as well as other types of cargo. It handled over 3 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Brazil, and Russia, while the top destinations for exports are Mexico, Brazil, and China.
Oakland, CA
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Port of Oakland is the sixth busiest container port in the United States. It handled over 2.5 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, while the top destinations for exports are Japan, China, and South Korea.
Tacoma, WA
The Port of Tacoma is the seventh busiest container port in the United States, handling over 2.5 million TEUs in 2020. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between Asia and the Pacific Northwest. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and South Korea, while the top destinations for exports are China, Japan, and South Korea.
Virginia Port, VA
The Port of Virginia is the eighth busiest container port in the United States and a major hub for the East Coast. It handled over 2 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and India, while the top destinations for exports are China, India, and Mexico.
Miami, FL
The Port of Miami is the ninth busiest container port in the United States and a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Latin America. It handled over 1.5 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Brazil, and Colombia, while the top destinations for exports are Brazil, Colombia, and Chile.
Charleston, SC
The Port of Charleston is the tenth busiest container port in the United States and a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Asia. It handled over 1.5 million TEUs in 2020. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and India, while the top destinations for exports are China, India, and Mexico.
Seattle, WA
The Port of Seattle is the eleventh busiest container port in the United States, handling over 1.5 million TEUs in 2020. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between Asia and the Pacific Northwest. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Vietnam, and South Korea, while the top destinations for exports are China, Japan, and South Korea.
San Diego, CA
The Port of San Diego is the twelfth busiest container port in the United States, handling over 1 million TEUs in 2020. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Latin America. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Mexico, and Japan, while the top destinations for exports are Mexico, Japan, and China.
Baltimore, MD
The Port of Baltimore is the thirteenth busiest container port in the United States, handling over 1 million TEUs in 2020. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Asia. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, India, and Vietnam, while the top destinations for exports are China, India, and Brazil.
Tampa, FL
The Port of Tampa is the fourteenth busiest container port in the United States, handling over 500,000 TEUs in 2020. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Latin America. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Brazil, and Colombia, while the top destinations for exports are Brazil, Colombia, and Chile.
New Orleans, LA
The Port of New Orleans is the fifteenth busiest container port in the United States, handling over 500,000 TEUs in 2020. It is a major gateway for cargo moving between the United States and Latin America. The top countries of origin for imports through the port are China, Brazil, and Colombia, while the top destinations for exports are Brazil, Colombia, and Chile.
In conclusion, the top 15 container ports in the United States play a vital role in the country’s international trade and economy. From the busy ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on the West Coast to the East Coast hubs of New York/New Jersey and Savannah, these ports are crucial links in the global supply chain.
Visiwise Backs You Too!
Exporters, importers, and freight forwarders can use the Visiwise Visibility platform to get real-time tracking and visibility of their shipments as they move through the top container ports in the United States. The platform offers a range of features that make it easier to track and manage shipments, including real-time updates on the location and status of containers, alerts for potential delays or deviations from the expected schedule, and the ability to track multiple shipments at once.
This can help businesses to reduce uncertainty and improve efficiency in their supply chain operations. Additionally, the Visiwise Visibility platform can provide valuable insights and analytics that can help businesses to optimize their shipping routes and improve their overall supply chain performance.
