After China, the USA houses the largest ports across the globe. And it doesn't come to us as a surprise because the country contributes a significant share of the total world consumption.
Be it, in terms of industrial goods or industrial surplus, seaports of the USA are of great service to manufacturers, suppliers, and even buyers. Below, you will find the top 5 busiest ports of the USA with impressive rates of shipping activities.
The Need & Consequent Density of Ports
Foreign trade - the backbone of every country's economy depends on seaports. By definition, seaport refers to a harbor where the ships dock and load. These places provide a place for storing imported and exported goods as well as complementary services to shipping carriers. They provide safe passage and shelter to seagoing vessels.
However, these smart ports are not only the places wherein ships load and unload, but they also indirectly generate tons of job opportunities, especially in the coastal areas. Their presence leads to infrastructure development in that particular area. Thus, adding to the value of the land.
Along the same lines, the US is one of the leading nations when it comes to foreign trade. Needless to say, it has tons of cargo to deal with annually. Hence, the country has about 145 ports in total to increase accessibility and ease the operation of shippers and suppliers. Each of these contributes a fair share to strengthening the economy. Almost all of these constantly buzzes with activity. The economic activities never seem to seize because of constant domestic and international trade. And hence, they have fairly good cargo processing and transporting systems. Let's have a look at the most prominent ports of all.
Port of LA
Occupying about 7500 acres of land at the San Pedro Bay, the Los Angeles Port has immense strategic importance. Being an international gateway, it is a major trade route between US-China as well as other Asian countries.
In 2018, the Los Angeles Port broke its third consecutive cargo record with an approximately 9 million TEU traffic. Even this very year, i.e., in 2020, the LA port managed to maintain its phenomenal record regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic & trade wars between US-China. Furthermore, as the current statistical data confirms, a cargo worth of $1.2 billion gets shipped daily. Hence, it holds the position of the 19th busiest port in the entire world when it comes to container volume.
Port of NY
As the third biggest port in the US as well as one of the 20 biggest ports of the world, the New York port has a value of its own. Already, this port has a TEU of 7.2 billion, and it will supposedly increase further in the future as per the 2019’s plan announced by port authority.
It opens at the mouth of the Hudson River. And, has a massive commercial activity going on in the nearby city, i.e., New Jersey as well as the five boroughs. These include:
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Staten Land
- Brooklyn
- The Bronx
Also, since this port deals with the heaviest import and export of essential industrial goods as well as handy useful industrial surplus, it faces loads of environmental issues. However, the green-pacts signed earlier and the ones developing now, contribute substantially to improving this situation.
Port of Savannah
Savannah port is mainly known for having an unrivaled single-terminal container facility in terms of size, in the whole of the Western Hemisphere. However, the port also has appreciable traffic of around 4.35 million TEU. Thus, securing the position of the 30th busiest port of the world. Also, in 2019, Georgia Port authorities announced a $3 billion worth development project that will boost the industrial surplus even more.
Port of Long Beach
The Long Beach port happens to be a percent ahead of LA port in terms of land coverage; it covers about 7600 acres of land. The port enables the cargo of toys, clothing, petroleum, cement, automobiles, and other such stuff, and brings in $180 million worth of trade annually. Back in 2015, it handled about 4.9 million worth of TEUs. Also, it generates about 30,000 jobs in the surrounding area.
Due to excessive activity, the port now witnesses the implementation of pacts and agreements for adopting energy-efficient and environmentally friendly ways of trade and transportation. It aims to enhance the performance and life of the port.
Port of Seattle Tacoma
Technically, Tacoma has its separate identity as an area, and so does Seattle. But what brought these two together to represent a single port is the Seaport Alliance. It is a partnership based on marine cargo operations.
Today, they combinedly form one of the largest gateways to the following:
- Midwest
- East Coast
- Ohio Valley
- Asia
Moreover, it has a 3.47 million TEU traffic. And the infrastructure, as well as the location of the port, offers the easiest trade links between fast-progressing economies. It is approximately worth $75.3 billion.
