The United States has some of the busiest ports in the world. They handle more than two trillion dollars worth of goods each year. And it’s not just big cities like New York and Los Angeles that have busy ports – cities like Houston and Charleston are also major shipping hubs.
The top five busiest ports in America handle a combined total of over fifteen million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) each year. America’s ports play an important part in supporting trade with foreign countries, but if you’re not in the business you might never give it a second thought. Although the Jones Act restricts some shipping to and from the US, water is by far the cheapest and most common way to move goods.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the biggest US ports in terms of the total tonnage they process each year.
US Ports by Tonnage
The Port of Houston
Houston Port Authority
The Houston Port Authority (HPA) manages and develops the port of Houston, the nation’s largest port by tonnage. The HPA operates and maintains more than 8,000 acres of land and water area and oversees the movement of over $108 billion in goods through the port annually.
The agency is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor of Houston and confirmed by the City Council.
Port of Corpus Christi, TX
The Port of Corpus Christi is the 5th-largest in the United States by tonnage and the 12th-largest in the world. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Corpus Christi, Texas, about 150 miles from Houston. The port handles over 80 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 4,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 37, Interstate 69, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Corpus Christi International Airport.
The Port of Corpus Christi is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Texas.
NY & NJ Port Authority
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency responsible for trade-related facilities in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. The agency’s operations include the Port of New York and New Jersey, the John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, and the PATH rail system.
Port of South Louisiana
The Port of South Louisiana is the largest port in the United States by shipment volume and the 9th-largest port in the world. It is located along a stretch of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and covers 54 miles of the riverfront. The port handles over 247 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 3,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Interstate 310, and Amtrak. It is also home to two major airports, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.
The Port of South Louisiana is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Louisiana.
New Orleans Port Authority
The Port of New Orleans is the 6th-largest in the United States by tonnage and the 11th-largest in the world. It is located on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, about 100 miles from Baton Rouge. The port handles over 79 million tons of cargo annually and more than 3,000 ships.
The Port of New Orleans is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans.
New Orleans, LA Port Authority and differences with Port of South Louisiana, LA
Despite their proximate location, The Port of New Orleans and The Port of South Louisiana have different governing bodies.
The Port of New Orleans is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. The Port of South Louisiana is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Louisiana.
The Port of New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana, about 100 miles from Baton Rouge. The Port of South Louisiana is located along a stretch of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, covering 54 miles of the riverfront.
Long Beach Port Authority
The Port of Long Beach is the 2nd-largest in the United States by tonnage and the 9th-largest in the world. It is located on the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, California, about 20 miles south of Los Angeles. The port handles over 73 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 5,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 710, Interstate 405, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Long Beach Airport.
The Port of Long Beach is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor of Long Beach.
Beaumont, TX Port Authority
The Port of Beaumont is the 4th-largest in the United States by tonnage and the 13th-largest in the world. It is located on the Neches River in Beaumont, Texas, about 90 miles from Houston. The port handles over 58 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 2,500 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Interstate 69, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.
The Port of Beaumont is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the City Council of Beaumont
Port of Los Angeles, CA
The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest and largest seaport on the West Coast of the United States and is also the 6th-busiest port in the world by container volume. Located in San Pedro Bay in Los Angeles, California, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, the port covers 7,500 acres of land and water. It handles over 9 million containers annually and is home to over 8,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 5, Interstate 710, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Los Angeles International Airport.
The Port of Los Angeles is governed by a seven-member Board of Harbor Commissioners, who are appointed by the Mayor of Los Angeles.
Port of Virginia, Norfolk, VA
The Port of Virginia, located in Hampton Roads, Virginia, is the 3rd-largest port on the East Coast of the United States by cargo volume and the 13th-largest in the world.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 64, Interstate 664, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Norfolk International Airport.
The Port of Virginia is governed by the Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Virginia.
Mobile, AL Port Authority
The Port of Mobile is the 5th-largest seaport in the Gulf of Mexico and the 9th-largest in the United States by cargo volume. It is located on Mobile Bay in Mobile, Alabama, about 60 miles from the Mississippi River.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Interstate 65, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Mobile Regional Airport.
Plaquemines Port District, LA
The Port of Plaquemines is a deepwater port located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. It is the deepest and longest man-made river port in the world and handles over 60 million tons of cargo annually. The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Interstate 55, and Amtrak.
Port of Savannah, GA
The Port of Savannah is the 4th-largest seaport in the United States by cargo volume and the largest on the East Coast of the United States. It is located on the Savannah River in Savannah, Georgia, about 100 miles from Charleston, South Carolina. The port handles over 3 million containers annually and is home to over 7,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 16, Interstate 95, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
Lake Charles Harbor District, LA
The Port of Lake Charles is a deepwater port located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Interstate 210, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Lake Charles Regional Airport.
Port Arthur, TX
The Port of Port Arthur is a deepwater port located in Jefferson County, Texas.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 10, Interstate 69, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.
Port Freeport, TX
The Port of Freeport is a deepwater port located in Brazoria County, Texas. It is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 45, Texas State Highway 36, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Freeport Regional Airport.
Mid-Ohio Valley Port, OH, and WV
The Mid-Ohio Valley Port is a deepwater port located on the Ohio River in Wood County, Ohio. It handles over 20 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 1,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 77, Ohio State Route 7, and Amtrak.
Port of Baltimore, MD
The Port of Baltimore is a deepwater port located in Baltimore, Maryland.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 95, Interstate 895, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Ports of Cincinnati-Northern KY, OH, and KY
The Ports of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky are a deepwater port located on the Ohio River in Boone County, Kentucky. It handles over 60 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 6,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 71, Interstate 75, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
Port of Texas City, TX
The Port of Texas City is a deepwater port located in Galveston County, Texas. The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 45, Texas State Highway 146, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Texas City Municipal Airport.
The Port of Texas City is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Texas.
St. Louis, MO, and IL
The Port of St. Louis is a deepwater port located on the Mississippi River in St. Clair County, Illinois. It handles over 30 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 3,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 55, Interstate 70, and Amtrak. It is also home to the St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
The Port of St. Louis is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governors of Missouri and Illinois.
Huntington-Tristate, KY, OH, WV
The Huntington-Tristate Port is a deepwater port located on the Ohio River in Cabell County, West Virginia. It handles over 25 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 2,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 64, Interstate 77, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Tri-State Airport.
The Huntington-Tristate Port is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governors of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Philadelphia Regional Port, PA
The Philadelphia Regional Port is a deepwater port located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It handles over 35 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 3,500 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 95, Interstate 76, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Philadelphia International Airport.
The Philadelphia Regional Port is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania.
Tampa Port Authority, FL
The Tampa Port Authority is a deepwater port located in Hillsborough County, Florida. It handles over 50 million tons of cargo annually and is home to over 5,000 ships.
The port is served by several major highways and railroads, including Interstate 4, Interstate 75, and Amtrak. It is also home to the Tampa International Airport.
The Tampa Port Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Florida.
Valdez, AK
The Port of Valdez is a deepwater port located in Valdez, Alaska. It is served by several major highways and railroads, including the Alaska Highway, the Richardson Highway, and the Denali Highway. It is also home to the Valdez Airport.
The Port of Valdez is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of Alaska.
What are the Primary US Imports?
The United States is the world’s largest importer, bringing in over $2.4 trillion worth of goods each year. The ten biggest import categories are:
1. Vehicles: $504 billion
2. Machinery: $386 billion
3. Mineral fuels: $359 billion
4. Electrical machinery: $347 billion
5. Plastics: $309 billion
6. Optical and medical equipment: $169 billion
7. Articles of iron or steel: $164 billion
8. Organic chemicals: $153 billion
9. Aluminum: $142 billion
10. Iron and steel products: $141 billion
Port container dollar value as measured by twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU)
What are the Primary US Imports?
The United States imports more than it exports. That deficit is financed by capital inflows—foreign investment in US assets. In 2018, the United States imported $3.61 trillion and exported $2.48 trillion worth of goods and services.
Here’s a different set of numbers of the top ten import categories in the US in dollars
1. Vehicles – $285.5 Billion
2. Machinery – $206.9 Billion
3. Electronics – $144.4 Billion
4. Oil – $133.8 Billion
5. Plastics – $74.9 Billion
6. Gems And Precious Metals – $67.9 Billion
7. Organic Chemicals – $61.1 Billion
8. Aluminum – $50.6 Billion
9. Iron And Steel Products – $42.3 Billion
10. Coffee – $38.5 Billion
What are the Primary US Exports?
The top ten export categories in the US in dollars are:
1. Aircraft – $139 Billion
2. Vehicles – $127 Billion
3. Machinery – $98.4 Billion
4. Electronics – $87.5 Billion
5. Oil – $66.4 Billion
6. Pharmaceuticals – $54.1 Billion
7. Medical Equipment – $51.3 Billion
8. Plastics – $44.2 Billion
9. Gems And Precious Metals – $41.7 Billion
10 Food – $38.5 Billion
Countries
The top ten US import trade partner countries are:
1. Canada – $300.7 billion
2. Mexico – $265.9 billion
3. China – $179.3 billion
4. Japan – $75.1 billion
5. Germany – $57 billion
6. South Korea – $51.8 billion
7. United Kingdom – $43 billion
8 Italy – $40.2 billion
9. Taiwan – $37.7 billion
10. India – $36.7 billion
The top ten US export partners are:
1. Canada – $282.5 billion
2. Mexico – $236 billion
3. China – $120.3 billion
4. Japan – $67 billion
5. United Kingdom – $57 billion
6 Germany – $51.8 billion
7. South Korea – $46 billion
8. Netherlands – $43 billion
9. Belgium – $40 billion
10. Italy – $37.7 billion
Sources:
Workbook: PortProfiles2022 (dot.gov)
