List of ports in the United States

This is a list of ports of the United States, ranked by tonnage. Ports in the United States handle a wide variety of goods that are critical to the global economy, including petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), grain, steel, automobiles, and containerized goods. The U.S. port system comprises over 300 commercially active harbors that collectively handle approximately 1.87 billion short tons annually across the top 25 ports alone.

Overview

The U.S. maritime port system has undergone significant transformation in the 2024-2025 period, characterized by strategic realignment following supply chain disruptions of the early 2020s. The Gulf Coast ports have strengthened their dominance in total tonnage, driven by the United States' position as the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas and a major crude oil supplier. Meanwhile, West Coast container ports have experienced strong recovery in volumes after labor stability was achieved.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) issues an annual report, the Port Performance Freight Statistics Program Annual Report, pursuant to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (section 6018 of the "FAST" Act), ranking ports in the United States by cargo tonnage. Since 2015, this report has been produced by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through the Institute for Water Resources, in conjunction with the United States Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration.[1]

Due to the extensive data collection and verification process required across hundreds of ports and thousands of terminals, official consolidated statistics are typically published 18-24 months after the reporting year. The most recent comprehensive official data is from 2022, published in July 2024. Where available and officially released, preliminary 2023-2024 data from individual port authorities has been incorporated and clearly noted in the table below.

Recent developments (2024-2025)

2024 United States port strike

Main article: 2024 United States port strike

On October 1-3, 2024, over 47,000 members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) participated in a strike at 36 ports along the East Coast and Gulf Coast—the first ILA strike since 1977. The work stoppage affected container, breakbulk, and Ro/Ro operations from Maine to Texas, impacting facilities that collectively handle approximately half of the nation's containerized imports. Economic analysts estimated the strike cost between $3.8 billion and $5 billion per day in economic disruption.[2]

After three days, a tentative agreement was reached to extend negotiations to January 15, 2025. The eventual six-year master contract, ratified in January 2025 with nearly 99% approval, included a 77% wage increase over the contract period and a complete ban on automation until 2030.[3] This labor agreement fundamentally shapes the operational trajectory of U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports, mandating reliance on human-operated equipment while Asian and European competitors increasingly deploy fully automated terminals.

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

Main article: Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by the container ship MV Dali, severing the main shipping channel to the Port of Baltimore. The catastrophic failure blocked deep-draft vessel access for 11 weeks, disrupting a port that is the nation's premier gateway for Ro/Ro cargo (automobiles and farm equipment) and a major coal export hub. The closure impacted over 8,000 jobs directly associated with port operations and generated an estimated $15 million in daily economic losses.[4]

Despite the extended disruption, the Port of Baltimore demonstrated remarkable resilience. Automotive manufacturers diverted shipments to alternative gateways including Brunswick, Georgia, and the Port of New York and New Jersey. The channel fully reopened in June 2024, and by year-end the port had handled 45.9 million tons—demonstrating rapid recovery despite the 11-week closure.[5]

Panama Canal drought restrictions

Prolonged drought in 2024 reduced water levels in Gatun Lake, the primary water source for Panama Canal operations, to historic lows. The resulting restrictions cut canal transit capacity by up to 40%, forcing shippers to seek alternative routing strategies.[6] Many cargo owners shifted to all-water routes via the Suez Canal or increased reliance on U.S. West Coast ports, particularly Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Pacific Northwest gateways. East Coast ports including Savannah also benefited from diversions that would have otherwise transited the canal.

Infrastructure investments

Major port infrastructure projects completed or advanced significantly in 2024-2025:

Channel deepening projects:

  • Port of Corpus Christi: Completed the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project in early 2025, deepening the channel to 54 feet Mean Lower Low Water and widening to 530 feet. This $625 million project enables full loading of Suezmax crude oil tankers, providing an estimated $200 million in annual transportation cost savings.[7]
  • Port of Virginia: Near completion of deepening to 55 feet—the deepest commercial channel on the East Coast—with a width of 800 feet enabling two-way traffic of ultra-large container vessels. This provides Virginia with a significant competitive advantage for post-Panamax vessel calls.[8]
  • Port of Mobile: Completed the fourth phase of container terminal expansion in October 2024, doubling annual container capacity to 1 million TEUs and positioning Mobile to compete more aggressively with established Gulf Coast container ports.[9]

Terminal and rail infrastructure:

  • Port of Houston: Project 11 channel widening continues, expanding the Houston Ship Channel to 700 feet along its Galveston Bay reach to ensure safe two-way traffic for Neo-Panamax vessels. The Houston Ship Channel supports 3.37 million jobs nationwide and generates $906 billion in annual economic value.[10]
  • Port of Savannah: Construction underway on the Blue Ridge Connector, an inland rail terminal in Northeast Georgia slated for opening in 2026. This facility is projected to eliminate 52,000 truck trips through metropolitan Atlanta annually while extending Savannah's hinterland reach deeper into the Midwest.[11]
  • Port of Long Beach: The $365 million Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility continues construction through 2028, designed to triple on-dock rail capacity and enable trains up to 10,000 feet in length.[12]

Federal funding: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides $2.25 billion through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) from 2022-2026. For Fiscal Year 2025, $500 million was allocated for port infrastructure improvements, focusing on capacity expansion, resilience, and sustainability. Notable 2024 PIDP awards include nearly $50 million to the Georgia Ports Authority for the Garden City Terminal Power Resiliency Project.[13]

Environmental and sustainability initiatives

Federal investments accelerated port decarbonization efforts in 2024:

  • The Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Ports Program awarded over $3 billion in grants in 2024 to support zero-emission cargo handling equipment and shore power installations.[14]
  • The Port of Los Angeles received $412 million for transitioning to zero-emission equipment, including electric cargo handling machinery and hydrogen fuel cell applications.[15]
  • Seven California ports collectively received over $1 billion to transition to zero-emission operations, representing the largest single federal investment in port sustainability to date.[16]
  • The Port of Virginia transitioned to 100% clean electricity in January 2024, becoming the first major East Coast port to achieve this milestone.[8]

Top 50 U.S. ports by tonnage

The table below presents official cargo tonnage rankings based on waterborne commerce data. Rankings 1-10 include updated 2023-2024 figures where officially released by port authorities; rankings 11-50 rely on the most recent consolidated USACE dataset (2022). This mixed-year approach reflects the reality of federal data publication timelines while incorporating the most current information available for major ports.

The Port of Houston maintains its position as the nation's largest port, handling 309.5 million short tons in 2023 and widening its lead over the second-ranked port. The Port of Lake Charles ranks at number 10 nationally.

Cargo volume at U.S. ports (2022-2024)[1][17]
Rank Port name State Total trade
(short tons) 		Domestic total Foreign total Foreign imports Foreign exports Data year / Notes
1 Port of Houston Texas 309,500,000 2023 Official. Petrochemicals, resins, containers.[18]
2 Port of South Louisiana Louisiana 248,100,000 2023 Official. Grain (50% of U.S. exports), crude oil.[19]
3 Port of Corpus Christi Texas 206,500,000 2024 Preliminary. LNG, crude oil; primary U.S. energy gateway.[20]
4 Port of New York and New Jersey New Jersey
New York 		141,297,961 40,087,797 83,609,641 68,357,078 15,252,563 2022 USACE. Containers, vehicles, petroleum.
5 Port of Long Beach California 93,028,134 13,490,353 65,687,734 46,552,104 19,135,630 2022 USACE. Container gateway for Asian imports.
6 Port of New Orleans Louisiana 83,339,949 43,220,217 37,847,231 15,324,118 22,523,113 2022 USACE. General cargo, containers.
7 Port of Beaumont Texas 94,400,000 FY 2024 Preliminary. Liquid bulk, military cargo (71.6% surge).[21]
8 Port of Greater Baton Rouge Louisiana 73,426,615 43,420,458 28,266,414 5,662,827 22,603,587 2022 USACE. Petrochemicals, grain.
9 Port of Virginia Virginia 69,451,619 4,956,369 53,092,416 12,362,773 40,729,643 2022 USACE. Coal, containers.
10 Port of Lake Charles Louisiana 65,000,000 2024 Estimate. LNG, chemicals; $83.4B economic impact.[22]
11 Port of Los Angeles California 58,984,728 4,501,365 54,950,774 38,658,365 16,292,409 2022 USACE. #1 in container TEUs.
12 Port of Mobile Alabama 54,779,060 18,794,083 34,412,478 17,859,999 16,552,479 2022 USACE. Coal, steel, containers.
13 Plaquemines Port Louisiana 48,088,471 25,879,971 20,870,828 4,555,969 16,314,859 2022 USACE. Domestic bulk cargo.
14 Port of Savannah Georgia 46,215,503 1,135,777 42,317,267 24,505,366 17,811,901 2022 USACE. Containers, agricultural exports.
15 Port of Baltimore Maryland 45,900,000 2024 Preliminary. Recovered from bridge collapse.[5]
16 Port of Port Arthur Texas 41,655,013 17,297,108 23,925,092 7,316,835 16,608,257 2022 USACE.
17 Port Freeport Texas 39,127,518 4,171,925 34,576,737 6,560,377 28,016,360 2022 USACE.
18 Mid-Ohio Valley Port Ohio
West Virginia 		35,335,994 35,335,994 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
19 Ports of Cincinnati-Northern KY Ohio
Kentucky 		34,638,621 34,638,621 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
20 Port of Texas City Texas 34,063,653 12,540,971 21,180,341 7,601,309 13,579,032 2022 USACE.
21 Port of St. Louis Missouri
Illinois 		30,764,857 30,764,857 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
22 Port of Huntington Tri-State West Virginia
Kentucky
Ohio 		29,941,983 29,941,983 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
23 Port of Philadelphia Pennsylvania 28,787,742 11,589,634 16,928,126 9,833,680 7,094,446 2022 USACE.
24 Port Tampa Bay Florida 28,781,742 15,913,148 12,598,612 8,250,523 4,348,089 2022 USACE.
25 Valdez Alaska 25,316,241 23,019,746 2,093,485 0 2,093,485 2022 USACE. Crude oil exports.
26 Twin Ports of Duluth-Superior Minnesota
Wisconsin 		25,071,110 19,363,238 5,707,872 692,776 5,015,096 2022 USACE.
27 Port of Charleston South Carolina 24,947,482 1,822,973 23,124,509 14,996,099 8,128,410 2022 USACE.
28 Northern Indiana Maritime District Indiana 24,684,060 24,128,574 555,486 512,759 42,727 2022 USACE.
29 Pascagoula Mississippi 23,096,778 8,311,645 14,785,133 7,450,788 7,334,345 2022 USACE.
30 Port of Seattle Washington 22,964,546 4,814,772 18,149,774 9,098,134 9,051,640 2022 USACE.
31 Port of Tacoma Washington 21,575,059 4,186,844 17,388,215 5,794,811 11,593,404 2022 USACE.
32 Port of Richmond California 21,050,741 6,277,538 14,773,203 11,494,554 3,278,649 2022 USACE.
33 Port of Portland Oregon 20,706,345 6,391,344 14,315,001 2,218,431 12,096,570 2022 USACE.
34 Port Everglades Florida 20,440,573 11,177,768 9,262,805 6,498,551 2,764,254 2022 USACE.
35 South Jersey New Jersey 20,254,325 8,383,229 11,871,096 11,271,285 599,811 2022 USACE.
36 Port of Oakland California 19,439,762 1,313,835 18,125,927 8,520,142 9,605,785 2022 USACE.
37 Kalama Washington 18,140,886 1,393,416 16,747,470 328,888 16,418,582 2022 USACE.
38 Port of Jacksonville Florida 16,701,370 7,892,986 8,808,384 7,379,715 1,428,669 2022 USACE.
39 Port of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15,536,051 15,536,051 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
40 New Bourbon Port Authority Missouri 15,506,754 15,506,754 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
41 Mid-America Port Iowa
Illinois
Missouri 		14,952,343 14,952,343 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
42 Illinois Waterway Ports Illinois 14,946,034 14,946,034 0 0 0 2022 USACE.
43 Two Harbors Minnesota 13,499,847 11,746,091 1,753,756 0 1,753,756 2022 USACE.
44 Port of Boston Massachusetts 13,322,582 3,399,778 9,922,804 8,310,101 1,612,703 2022 USACE.
45 Port of Honolulu Hawaii 12,261,506 11,424,582 836,924 619,948 216,976 2022 USACE.
46 Port of Galveston Texas 11,945,182 5,242,679 6,702,503 1,525,032 5,177,471 2022 USACE.
47 Port of Longview Washington 11,071,285 1,145,333 9,925,952 338,172 9,587,780 2022 USACE.
48 Port of Vancouver USA Washington 10,198,602 2,557,938 7,640,664 1,128,602 6,512,062 2022 USACE.
49 Port of Cleveland Ohio 9,442,739 7,655,827 1,786,912 1,359,394 427,518 2022 USACE.
50 Port of San Juan Puerto Rico 9,337,163 4,611,787 4,725,376 4,285,535 439,841 2022 USACE.

Note: This table combines official 2022 USACE consolidated data (the most recent complete federal dataset) with preliminary 2023-2024 figures officially released by individual port authorities where available. Detailed breakdowns (Domestic/Foreign/Imports/Exports) are shown for 2022 USACE data; 2023-2024 preliminary data includes total tonnage only. Official federal consolidation of 2023-2024 data is expected in mid-2026.

Container ports

Main article: United States container ports

Container port rankings are based on twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), measuring standardized container volumes. The U.S. container port system experienced strong growth in 2024, with volumes rebounding after labor uncertainties and supply chain disruptions of previous years.

Top 10 container ports by TEU (2024)

Container volume at major U.S. ports, 2024 (TEUs)[23]
Rank Port name State Approximate 2024 TEUs Notes
1 Port of Los Angeles California 10,300,000 Second-best year on record; 19.8% increase.[24]
2 Port of Long Beach California 9,100,000 Record October 2024 (987,191 TEUs single month).[25]
3 Port of New York and New Jersey New Jersey
New York 		8,700,000 Third-busiest year; up 11.4% year-over-year.[26]
4 Port of Savannah Georgia 5,100,000 Strong Southeast U.S. growth; fastest-growing major port.[27]
5 Port of Houston Texas 4,139,991 Record year; 8% increase; Gulf Coast container leader.[28]
6 Port of Virginia Virginia 3,500,000 Deep channel (55 ft) enables ultra-large vessels.[29]
7 Northwest Seaport Alliance Washington 3,340,000 Seattle-Tacoma combined; up 12.3% in 2024.[30]
8 Port of Charleston South Carolina 2,500,000 Leatherman Terminal Phase 2 expansion underway.[31]
9 Port of Oakland California 2,260,000 Agricultural export gateway.[32]
10 PortMiami Florida ~1,100,000 Combined cruise and container operations.[33]

Note: 2024 figures are preliminary estimates from port authorities and have not been officially consolidated by federal agencies. Final certified data typically becomes available 18-24 months after the reporting year.

Non-continental islands

Ports of non-continental U.S. islands
Port State or territory GNIS feature ID Coordinates External link
Port of San Juan Puerto Rico 18°40′0.01″N 66°10′0.01″W / 18.6666694°N 66.1666694°W / 18.6666694; -66.1666694 (San Juan (Puerto Rico))
Marina Puerto Chico, Fajardo Puerto Rico 1613388 18°20′54″N 65°38′6″W / 18.34833°N 65.63500°W / 18.34833; -65.63500 (Fajardo (Puerto Rico))
Port of Ponce Puerto Rico 18°0′4.54″N 66°43′0.01″W / 18.0012611°N 66.7166694°W / 18.0012611; -66.7166694 (Port of Ponce (Puerto Rico))
Christiansted, St. Croix US Virgin Islands 17°45′9.76″N 64°43′56.71″W / 17.7527111°N 64.7324194°W / 17.7527111; -64.7324194 (Christiansted, St. Croix (Virgin Islands)) [1](http://www.viport.com)
Hilo Hawaii 19°43′43″N 155°4′32.88″W / 19.72861°N 155.0758000°W / 19.72861; -155.0758000 (Hilo (Hawaii)) [2](http://www.hawaii.gov/dot)
Kawaihae Harbor Hawaii 20°2′16.01″N 155°49′59.88″W / 20.0377806°N 155.8333000°W / 20.0377806; -155.8333000 (Kawaihae Harbor (Hawaii)) [3](http://www.hawaii.gov/dot)
Kahului Hawaii 20°53′55″N 156°28′22.08″W / 20.89861°N 156.4728000°W / 20.89861; -156.4728000 (Kahului (Hawaii)) [4](http://www.hawaii.gov/dot)
Port of Honolulu Hawaii 21°18′40″N 157°52′18.12″W / 21.31111°N 157.8717000°W / 21.31111; -157.8717000 (Port of Honolulu (Hawaii)) [5](http://www.hawaii.gov/dot)
Kalaeloa Hawaii 21°17′50.03″N 158°6′32.04″W / 21.2972306°N 158.1089000°W / 21.2972306; -158.1089000 (Kalaeloa (Hawaii)) [6](http://www.hawaii.gov/dot)
Nawiliwili Hawaii 21°57′40″N 159°21′11.16″W / 21.96111°N 159.3531000°W / 21.96111; -159.3531000 (Nawiliwili (Hawaii)) [7](http://www.hawaii.gov/dot)
Apra Harbor, Port of Guam Guam 1389888 13°27′17″N 144°38′20″E / 13.45472°N 144.63889°E / 13.45472; 144.63889 (Port of Guam (Guam)) [8](http://www.portofguam.com/)
Agat Harbor, Port of Guam Guam 1934126 13°22′0″N 144°38′53″E / 13.36667°N 144.64806°E / 13.36667; 144.64806 (Agat Harbor (Guam)) [9](http://www.portofguam.com/)
Port of Saipan Northern Mariana Islands 15°13′33″N 145°44′03″E / 15.22583°N 145.73417°E / 15.22583; 145.73417 (Port of Saipan (MP)) [10](http://www.cpa.gov.mp)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Port Performance Freight Statistics Program". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Port strike could cost economy up to $5 billion per day". CNBC. October 1, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  3. ^ "Longshoremen Union Approves Contract With 77% Wage Increase, Automation Ban". The Wall Street Journal. January 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "Baltimore bridge collapse creates $15 million daily economic hit". Reuters. March 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Port of Baltimore 2024 Year-End Tonnage Report". Maryland Port Administration. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "Panama Canal drought cuts capacity by 40 percent, reshaping global shipping". FreightWaves. June 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  7. ^ "Port of Corpus Christi Completes $625M Channel Deepening Project". Port of Corpus Christi Authority. January 15, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "55-Foot Channel Project". Virginia Port Authority. 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  9. ^ "APM Terminals Mobile Expansion Doubles Capacity". Alabama State Port Authority. October 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  10. ^ "Houston Ship Channel Expansion Project 11". Port of Houston Authority. 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "Blue Ridge Connector Inland Terminal". Georgia Ports Authority. 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  12. ^ "Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility". Port of Long Beach. 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  13. ^ "FY2024 Port Infrastructure Development Program Grant Awards". Maritime Administration. October 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  14. ^ "EPA Clean Ports Program: $3 Billion in 2024 Grants". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. October 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  15. ^ "Port of Los Angeles Receives $412 Million EPA Grant for Zero-Emission Transition". Port of Los Angeles. October 29, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  16. ^ "Seven California Ports Receive Over $1 Billion for Zero-Emission Operations". Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. October 29, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Additional data from individual port authority reports where noted
  18. ^ "Port Houston 2023 Annual Tonnage Report". Port of Houston Authority. January 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  19. ^ "Port of South Louisiana Reports 248.1M Tons in 2023". Port of South Louisiana. March 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  20. ^ "Port of Corpus Christi Achieves Record 206.5M Tons in 2024". Port of Corpus Christi Authority. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  21. ^ "Port of Beaumont FY2024: 71.6% Tonnage Growth". Port of Beaumont Navigation District. November 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  22. ^ "Calcasieu Ship Channel: $83.4B Annual Economic Value". Port of Lake Charles. May 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  23. ^ Port authority preliminary data, 2024
  24. ^ "Port of Los Angeles 2024 Container Statistics". Port of Los Angeles. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  25. ^ "Port of Long Beach 2024 Year-End Volumes". Port of Long Beach. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  26. ^ "Port Authority 2024 Annual Container Statistics". Port Authority of NY & NJ. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  27. ^ "Port of Savannah 2024 Container Volumes". Georgia Ports Authority. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  28. ^ "Port Houston 2024 Container Statistics". Port of Houston Authority. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  29. ^ "Port of Virginia FY2024 Container Statistics". Virginia Port Authority. September 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  30. ^ "NWSA 2024 Year-End Container Volumes". Northwest Seaport Alliance. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  31. ^ "South Carolina Ports 2024 Container Statistics". SC Ports Authority. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  32. ^ "Port of Oakland 2024 Statistics". Port of Oakland. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  33. ^ "PortMiami 2024 Container Statistics". Miami-Dade County. December 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2025.

General references

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