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TOP 10 FREIGHT FORWARDERS OF 2020

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Ports

TOP 10 FREIGHT FORWARDERS OF 2020

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By occupying six slots, including the top three, the Alpine Region of Central Europe dominates Global Trade’s list of the top 10 freight forwarders of 2020.

 1) Kuehne + Nagel

With more than a century specializing in the transportation space, Kuehne + Nagel serves multiple industries, including high tech, industrial products, perishables, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Services include: order management, warehousing and storage, supply chain consulting, project management, air, rail and sea cargo and expo and events. Kuehne + Nagel Management AG, Dorfstrasse 50 Schindellegi, 8834 Switzerland, Tel: 41 44 788-9511.

2) DHL

DHL Supply Chain and Global Forwarding Divisions provide freight forwarding services throughout Europe, Russia and the Middle East via rail, air and road. The company’s global reach extends from transportation and warehousing to industry-specific solutions designed to streamline worldwide logistics for its clients. Services include: dedicated freight management, warehousing, customs services, freight security, supply chain management and air, road and sea shipments. DHL Supply Chain and Global Forwarding, Deutsche Post AG Headquarters, Platz der Deutschen Post, 53113 Bonn, Germany, Tel: +49 228-1820.

3) DB Schenker

The logistics division of German rail operator Deutsche Bahn AG provides an array of logistical and supply chain consulting services for clients throughout the automobile, technology, consumer goods, special transport and trade fair logistic industries. Services include: e-commerce solutions, fulfillment logistics, lead logistics services and intermodal transportation. DB Schenker, Richard-Wagner Strausse, Essen, Germany, Tel: +49 (0) 201 8781-4990.

4) (tie) DSV Global

Headquartered just outside of Denmark’s capital of Copenhagen, DSV offers worldwide warehousing and transportation solutions for European and North American companies looking for supply chain solutions across the global stage. Services include: full or less-than-truckloads, warehousing, order fulfillment, intermodal, air, sea and rail shipments and “supply chain innovation.” DSV + Panalpina, Hovedgaden 630, 2640 Hedchusene, Denmark, Tel: +45 43 20 30 40.

4) (tie) Sinotrans Limited

With offices throughout Asia and the Pacific Rim, Sinotrans offers transportation solutions from warehousing to getting goods to their final destinations. Services include: warehouse management, distribution solutions, cross border freight hauling, intermodal transport, project lead and “innovative supply solutions.” SinoTrans Ltd., 6F Suite B Waiyun Building, Building 10 Yard 5 Anding Road, Beijing, China 100020, Tel: 86 10-5229-5600.

6) Expeditors

The Fortune 500 service-based logistics company believes because it does not own the aircraft, ships, or trucks they use every day on six continents, they can be highly flexible when it comes to supply chain management. Services include: supply chain design and optimization, order management, fulfillment, warehousing, customs brokerage and air, sea and ground transportation. Expeditors International, 14301 24th St E, Sumner, WA 98390, Tel: (253) 863-5502.

7) (tie) GEODIS

The French logistics company aims to be a growth partner with its clients through its proven expertise and emphasis on excellence. Services include: supply chain optimization, freight forwarding, contract logistics, distribution & express and ground transport. GEODIS, Espace Seine, 26 Quai Charles Pasqua, 92300 Levallois-Perret, France, Tel: +33 1 56 76 26 00.

7) (tie) Bolloré Logistics

A global leader in international transport & logistics, the French company is committed to delivering reliable, flexible, innovative and value-creating solutions that help clients grow. Services include: transport, trade compliance, contract logistics, global supply chain, e-commerce and customer care. Bolloré Logistics, Tour Bolloré, 31-32 quai de Dion Bouton, 92800 Puteaux, France, Tel: +33 (0)1 46 96 44 33.

9) Nippon Express

First established in 1937, the Japanese company operates in more than 40 countries, with clients throughout Asia, North America and Europe and overseas transit facilities in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, among other locations. Services include: warehousing, distribution, cross border freight hauling, fine arts transport and moving services. Nippon Express, Higashi-shimbashi 1-9-3, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Tel: 81-3-6251-1111.

10) Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

Founded in 1871 by Carl Heinrich Hellmann, who as the lone employee used a horse-drawn cart to deliver parcels in and around the town of Osnabrück in northern Germany, Hellmann today has a worldwide network of 20,500 people in 489 branches in 173 countries. Services include: logistics, insurance, security, technology, e-commerce and road, air, rail, and marine transportation. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GmbH & Co. KG, Elbestrasse 1, Osnabrück, 49090 Germany, Tel: 49-541-605-6450.

We created our list by considering three other lists that were released this year. In September, Armstrong & Associates, Inc. (A&A), an internationally recognized key information resource for 3PL market research and consulting, put out a list of 2020’s top 50 ocean freight forwarders that is based on 2019 TEUs, logistics gross revenue and air metric tons.

Actually, A&A updated an earlier list because two heavy hitters in the ocean freight industry, DSV and Panalpina, merged in 2019. Then came COVID-19 early in 2020, which necessitated an examination of responses to the global pandemic.

A “key trend we’re watching is the impact COVID-19 is having on various modes of transport,” A&A President Evan Armstrong explained to Logistics Management Executive Editor Patrick Burnson. “Ocean capacity may open up, but rates will escalate. In the meantime, the air cargo sector will become more reliant on expensive freighters, as passenger traffic remains in steep decline in the international marketplace.”

Global Trade also considered 360 Research Reports’ Global Ocean Freight Forwarding Market Size, Status and Forecast 2020-2026 examination that focused on 25 companies and was released pre-pandemic, in January.

Thanks to the A&A and 360 Research reports, there were definitive answers about which companies would occupy most of Global Trade’s top slots. However, we also turned to a third report to settle any differences between the other two: a list of the top 10 3PLs in the world released In July by TradeGecko, which is part of Intuit QuickBooks, an accounting software company.

While freight forwarders on the Global Trade master list serve U.S. markets and have facilities in the States, our collection doesn’t exactly scream “American.” Fortunately, Armstrong also shared some wisdom with Burnson that may have Yanks ranking better in 2021. “We’ll see more shipping and sourcing in North America as shippers reevaluate their options overseas,” the A&A president says. “The ongoing trade tensions with China will also exacerbate this situation.”

The U.S. companies that did not make our top 10 but would have easily made our top 50 include: C.H. Robinson, XPO Logistics, United Parcel Service (UPS), Yusen Logistics, Mallory Alexander, Odyssey Logistics and Technology and Horizons Air Freight.

____________________________________________________________________

Armstrong & Associates, Inc.’s Top 50 Ocean Freight Forwarders of 2020: https://www.3plogistics.com/3pl-market-info-resources/3pl-market-information/aas-top-25-global-freight-forwarders-list/

360 Research Reports’ Global Ocean Freight Forwarding Market, Size, Status and Forecast 2020-2026: https://www.360researchreports.com/global-ocean-freight-forwarding-market-15076500

TradeGecko’s Top 10 3PLs in the World: https://www.tradegecko.com/blog/supply-chain-management/top-10-3pl-companies

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Ports

AS GLOBAL PORT OPERATIONS NORMALIZE TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, LET’S LOOK AT 2020 AND THE FUTURE OF SHIPPING

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Global transportation in 2020 has been defined by supply chain disruptions. The year started off under the impact of the China trade wars and quickly devolved into full-scale disruption with the onset and reaction to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

As an international freight forwarder serving over 150 countries, Suddath has been on the front lines helping customers navigate these challenges to keep their supply chains moving. Since July, we have continued to see a positive shift in the volume numbers, with port activity beginning to recover to pre-COVID-19 levels. That leaves many wondering if our industry is nearing a post-pandemic era, and what that world will look like.

Supply Chain Disruptors

To understand where we are going, we start by looking back at the beginning of the year. The industry was still feeling the full impact of the increased complexity and protection policies over global trade. Most notably, the trade war between China and the U.S. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread through China, where the origins were traced to Wuhan, China’s economy and manufacturing plants went nearly silent for more than six weeks, with little goods produced or shipped to ports around the world. 

According to a China Economic Update Report by the Asia Perspective management consulting firm, China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell 6.8 percent from January to March 2020, and its exports fell by 11.4 percent in the first quarter of 2020. According to the same report, during this time period, imports to China from around the world also fell by 0.7 percent. The country’s GDP had a slight recovery from April to June, with a 3.2 percent, however it was still well below pre-COVID-19 numbers. 

These declines in volume forced ocean carriers to reduce their capacity, often through the use of blank sailings or scheduled sailing that were canceled by an ocean carrier, so a vessel bypasses certain ports or even cancels full vessel rotations. Seatrade Marine News reported a total of 435 blank sailings by container lines through April 2020, as carriers continued to match capacity with decreased demand. In the U.S., we have witnessed similar results, such as the ports in South Carolina reporting 72 blank sailings between January and July with a corresponding overall decline in port volume for the year. 

Ocean carriers continue to utilize blank sailings as they try to match volume with capacity. Equipment shortages are plaguing the industry as empty containers dwell in places they are not needed and are in short supply where they are needed, such as China and the Far East. Container repositioning, or moving empty containers to new locations, is among the supply chain disruptions of blank sailings because the empties simply do not get repositioned as efficiently as they would during normal operating periods. 

Looking Up

While it is clear these supply chain disruptors still have a far-reaching impact, there are indications from the global economy that we may be headed in a better direction. Most U.S. ports had seen double-digit reductions in overall port activity from the onset of COVID-19 through June. However, things took a turn for the better in July. 

The Port of Los Angeles reported that September volumes were 13.3 percent up from the same month in 2019; in addition, the port reported the best quarter in its 114-year history. 

This recent surge in port volumes is making it more difficult for truckers to get appointments to move containers into and out of the port in the allotted time frame. South Carolina ports experienced a similar trend, with September year-over-year activity the strongest since the pandemic onset, and vehicle movements through the port show continued recovery. 

There are several factors that have contributed to this uptick in activity, including: 

-Most of the world’s manufacturers are back to business, leading to an increase in production around the globe

-The U.S. government lifted some travel restrictions for military families, with conditions, which has spurred movement around the globe

-A global decrease in blank sailing, particularly to and from Far East ports, which were bypassed earlier this year, but have become active again

The recent spike in activity bodes well for the global economy as we continue to move through the COVID-19 era. Per McKinsey & Company and Deloitte Insights, U.S. consumer demand seems high with optimism and retail sales recovering, which appears to be driving the surge in recent activity. 

The future is still very much in question as several ocean carriers are still forecasting some, albeit fewer, blank sailings in the coming months, but the seven-day Golden Week festival shut down factories across China in early October and caused blank sailings to surge temporarily. 

With the recent changes toward the better, the question becomes: Will the global economy remain strong as we continue into the next stage of the COVID-19 era, or will there be new spikes that cause another global economic slowdown, potentially worse than the last? 

It appears ocean carriers have adapted to the supply chain disruptions and are working to smooth the supply chain as numbers return to normal. While we have heard similar sentiments from other forwarding companies recently, this alone is not enough to declare us in the clear of challenges posed by COVID-19, but it is promising information.

The Future of Shipping

The future of the trade industry in the post-pandemic era is impossible to predict, however, we continue to see ports invest in development and technology to be poised to handle the growing demands of the future. 

Sustainability through technology has been a driving factor for the industry for years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Ports are incorporating alternative power as well as investing in practices that increase sustainability and decrease their footprint to be more attractive to partners. Organizations are looking for 3PLs, ports, and steamship lines that follow sustainability best practices, use clean energy such as solar and wind, and recycle ships properly. 

With the future of COVID-19 impacts unclear, the shipping industry has more incentive than ever to focus on and invest in smart technologies that continually strengthen supply chains. 

_____________________________________________________________________

Bob Fruchterman is senior vice president, International Logistics, at Suddath, where he is responsible for all international transportation and logistics including import, export, ocean and air. He also specializes in managing commercial projects in the energy, mining and construction fields around the world.

Mr. Fruchterman has more than 35 years’ experience in the international transportation and logistics industry. He has managed everything from large U.S. government-financed projects in the former Soviet Union to shipping equipment and supplies to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in Economics.

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, International Trade, U.S. Ports

Despite Shortage, Containers Rotting in Depots?

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Container availability across China is still at a record low, while US ports are overwhelmed by a surge of shipping containers from Asia, full of products retailers are eager to get on shelves for the holidays.

Due to the fastest increase in demand after months full of blank sailings, container availability for 40HCs is only at 0.05 CAx points compared to 0.63 at the same time last year, according to the Container Availability Index. 

Although the US East Coast is usually a surplus location of equipment (last year’s CAx value for 40DC was 0.7), the container availability dropped to 0.43 indicating actually fewer containers than needed. 

Containers spend 45 days on average in depot 

The average and median time of containers (in days) between “empty in depot” and “empty dispatched” | Source: Research Project FraunhoferCML & Container xChange

Although containers are very much in need, they still spend on average 45 days empty at depots according to a research project by FraunhoferCML and Container xChange.

Especially in regions with low container availability such as China and the US, the average is comparably high with 61 and 66 days compared to the global average of 45 days.

The high standard deviation of 85 days in North America and 129 days across Asia indicates many cases where containers spend far more days inside depots than the average suggests. 

Compared to the Middle East (21 days on average) and Europe (23 days on average) it takes more than 30 extra days to move containers out of the depots and make money with them. 

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Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

SC Ports Kick-Off Thanksgiving with Food for Hungry Families

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Volunteers from the South Carolina Ports Authority, the CMA CGM Group, and The Salvation Army of Charleston partnered earlier this week to help those in need for the holidays. As part of CMA CGM’s Giving Across America campaign, more than 80 boxes packed to serve up to 500 meals were successfully distributed to families in the Lowcountry region this week. The meals were specifically prepared for families to enjoy on Thanksgiving and after the holiday is over, according to information released.

“We appreciate CMA CGM spearheading this great initiative and inviting us to collaborate,” SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “The pandemic has caused hardships for so many, and it is very meaningful to the SC Ports team to support our community in partnership with the CMA CGM Group and The Salvation Army. We hope these meals provide a little comfort and happiness for families during Thanksgiving.”

In addition to these partnership efforts by CMA CGM Group, more than 10,000 turkeys were distributed along with thousands of additional meals in other cities such as Charleston; Houston; Lake Charles, La.; Los Angeles; Nashville; Norfolk, Va.; and Savannah, Ga. Driven by the ambitious Giving Across America campaign of feeding 35,000+ Americans this Thanksgiving, this represents one of several initiatives taken by CMA CGM Group to support those in need. 

“CMA CGM plays a critical role in driving the U.S. economy forward, and it is an honor to be able to give back to communities across America, especially during such a challenging time,” said Ed Aldridge, president of CMA CGM America and American President Lines North America. “Our partnership with SC Ports and The Salvation Army of Charleston enabled us to bring Thanksgiving meals to those in need in the Charleston region, and it was an honor to do so.”

SCPA has also continued efforts in addressing food insecurity, environmental initiatives, health and education in the state through generous offerings. A total of $22,000 was donated by SCPA to the Lowcountry Food Bank in addition to raising $108,000 for American Heart Association’s 2020 Lowcountry Heart Walk and contributed $128,500 towards the 2019 Community Giving Program.

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Archives, Features, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Top Ports

TOP CONTAINER PORTS: LA & NY … AND THEN EVERYONE ELSE

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers compiles annual lists of the top container ports by volume, with the figures for 2018 being the most recently released.

The list shows Los Angeles handled more than 1 million more containers than its neighbor Long Beach did, but Long Beach dealt with nearly a million more than third-place New York/New Jersey did.

That those three occupied the first three U.S. slots on the Army Corps’ list is not surprising to anyone who has followed container traffic in recent years. What may raise eyebrows is how many more containers those ports handle compared to everyone else in the country.

Los Angeles took in 19.5 percent of the nation’s containers in 2018, compared to 17.9 percent the year before. Indeed, Long Beach and New York/New Jersey saw year-to-year growth under the same metrics. Long Beach containers accounted for 16.7 percent of the nation’s total for 2018, up from 14.4 percent the year before. New York/New Jersey grabbed 14.8 percent in ’18, compared to 12.8 percent in ’17.

Combined, Los Angeles and Long Beach, whose ports essentially border one another, accounted for 36.2 percent of the containers handled in America in 2018, up from 32.3 percent the year prior. If you combine the Californians with New York/New Jersey, the three-port complexes handled more than half of the containers in the U.S. in 2018, at 51.1 percent. That’s up from 45.1 percent in 2017.

While Savannah handled more than 2 million fewer containers than New York/New Jersey to land at No. 4, the Georgia Ports Authority port had an impressive growth of 305,760 units from 2017 to ’18, which was better than top dog Los Angeles.

Others who beat LA’s 115k in that metric were (in order of impressiveness): Houston (240k); Jacksonville (237k); Charleston (138k); Seattle/Tacoma, which together form the Northwest Seaport Alliance (132k); and Oakland (125k).

Below is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ list of the top 15 container ports in order, with their totals for 2018, 2017 and how many more containers that represented—because no one on the list handled fewer containers than they did the year before.

Because no 2018 data is indicated for some ports, but their 2017 totals are included, these facilities are indented about where they would fall if they pulled in similar numbers of containers in ’18. However, those ports are not counted among the top 15 as presented by Global Trade.

-Los Angeles
2018: 9,458,749
2017: 9,343,192
+115,557

-Long Beach
2018: 8,091,029
2017: 7,544,507
+546,522

-New York/New Jersey
2018: 7,179,792
2017: 6,710,817
+468,975

-Savannah
2018: 4,351,976
2017: 4,046,216
+305,760

-Seattle/Tacoma Alliance
2018: 3,797,627
2017: 3,665,329
+132,298

-Hampton Roads
2018: 2,855,914
2017: 2,841,016
+14,898

-Houston
2018: 2,699,850
2017: 2,459,107
+240,743

-Oakland
2018: 2,546,357
2017: 2,420,836
+125,521

-Charleston
2018: 2,316,255
2017: 2,177,550
+138,705

-San Juan (Puerto Rico)
2017: 1,319,572

-Jacksonville
2018: 1,270,480
2017: 1,033,070
+237,410

-Honolulu
2017: 1,204,568

-Everglades
2018: 1,108,465
2017: 1,076,893
+31,572

-Miami
2018: 1,084,000
2017: 1,024,338
+59,662

-Baltimore
2018: 1,023,161
2017: 962,484
+60.677

-Philadelphia
2018: 600,000
2017: 545,408
+54,592

-New Orleans
2018: 591,532
2017: 532,597
+58,935

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Archives, Features, Global Trade Daily, Top Ports

BEHOLD, IT’S AMERICA’S TOP 50 POWER PORTS

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Some ports excel in imports, some in exports, others in domestic trade and still more in international trade. America’s Top 50 Power Ports are the highest ranked in total trade, however.

 

Based on their U.S. port ranking by cargo volume in 2018, the fabulous fifty are:

1. South Louisiana, LA

Total tons: 275,512,500

Stretching 54 miles along the Mississippi River, South Louisiana is the largest tonnage port district in the western hemisphere.

2. Houston, TX

Total tons: 268,930,047

Handling about 70 percent of all the container cargo through the Gulf of Mexico coast, the Houston channel serves nearly as many calls as Los Angeles, Long Beach and New York/New Jersey combined.

3. New York/New Jersey

Total tons: 140,281,992

The gateway to one of the most concentrated consumer markets in North America, the Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest on the East Coast.

4. Beaumont, TX

Total tons: 100,244,231

The world-class intermodal transportation facility is served by three class one rail carriers, located within two miles of Interstate 10, and situated on a deep-water channel with a 40-foot draft.

5. Corpus Christi, TX

Total tons: 93,468,323

Positioned on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36-mile, 47 foot (MLLW) deep channel, the port is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce, with railroad and highway network connectivity via three class one rail carriers and two major interstate highways.

6. New Orleans, LA

Total Tons: 93,332,543

A modern multimodal gateway for global commerce, the port’s competitive edge comes from an ability to deliver seamless, integrated logistics solutions between river, rail and road.

7. Long Beach, CA

Total tons: 86,536,154

The second-busiest container seaport in the U.S. is the premier American gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in innovative goods movement, safety, environmental stewardship and sustainability.

8. Baton Rouge, LA

Total tons: 82,234,811

Strategically located on the Mississippi River, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge is a major driver of the state’s economy, ranking among the U.S. top ports in total tonnage.

9. Hampton Roads, VA

Total tons: 71,774,349

The Port of Virginia’s network of terminals can process more than 4 million containers on an annual basis, serving ultra-large containers vessels arriving from across the Atlantic, inland barge service traveling up the James River as well as rail as the No. 1 in volume on the East Coast.

10. Los Angeles, CA

Total tons: 67,806,137

Billed as “America’s Port” (it’s registered!), the nation’s premier gateway for international commerce is the busiest seaport in the Western Hemisphere, handling diverse commodities from avocado to zinc.

11. Mobile, LA

Total tons: 58,635,622

Alabama’s only seaport to ensure economies of scale and competitive rates for mining, manufacturing, agribusiness and retail/distribution shippers, Mobile just watched the ink dry on a pact that will modernize facilities and deepen and widen the shipping channel.

12. Lake Charles, LA

Total tons: 56,908,344

The deepwater seaport on the Calcasieu Ship Channel, north of the U.S. Gulf Coast, opened in 1926 and today is the 12th-busiest port district in the nation, based on tonnage, as ranked by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

13. Plaquemines, LA

Total tons: 56,850,137

Located at the mouth of the Mississippi River on the Gulf of Mexico, the Port of Plaquemines is about 20 miles south of New Orleans.

14. Baltimore, MD

Total tons: 44,778,259

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore handled a new record of 43.6 million tons of cargo in 2019, including more than 11 million tons of general cargo at the state-owned public terminals for the first time ever. The number of vehicles (857,890) topped all  U.S. ports for the ninth straight year.

15. Texas City, TX

Total tons: 42,682,311

The privately-owned port, whose shareholders include Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, is the 15th largest port in the country and fourth-largest in Texas.

16. Savannah, GA

Total tons: 41,273,947

Savannah joins fellow deepwater port Brunswick and inland terminals in Chatsworth, Bainbridge and Columbus to serve as Georgia’s gateway to the world, especially for raw materials and finished products bound for, well, all over the globe.

17. Port Arthur, TX

Total tons: 39,851,706

The ultimate direct transfer facility for international cargo shipping is positioned on the Gulf of Mexico, where it competitively handles any type of commodity.

18. Cincinnati, OH-Northern Kentucky

Total tons: 38,534,187

Part of the Ohio-Mississippi River Waterway on the banks of the Ohio River, the port is at the center of a large metropolitan area that occupies parts of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

19. Louis, MO/IL

Total tons: 37,426,710

The Port of Metropolitan St. Louis is 70 miles long, situated on both sides of the Mississippi River, and is the 19th largest U.S. port according to the 2018 US Army Corps data. The northernmost ice- and lock-free port on the Mississippi, the port is served by six class one rail carriers, seven Interstates and two international airports.

20. Duluth-Superior, MN/WI

Total tons: 35,102,200

Long known as the Great Lakes “bulk cargo capital,” the port accommodates the maritime transportation needs of a wide range of industries, ranging from agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing to construction, power generation and passenger cruising.

21. Huntington – Tristate

Total tons: 34,245,342

Centered on the Ohio River in Huntington, the Port of Huntington Tri-State is the largest inland port in the U.S. and the largest river port in West Virginia.

22. Tampa, FL

Total tons: 31,006,487

Serving container ships, tank ships and cruise lines, Port Tampa Bay is the largest port in Florida and only 25 sea miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

23. Pascagoula, MS

Total tons: 27,358,043

The deepwater port on the southeastern coast of Mississippi consistently ranks in the top tier of ports in the nation related to foreign trade. Primary exports include frozen foods, general cargo, grains, machinery, forest products, fertilizer and petroleum products.

24. Richmond, CA

Total tons: 27,255,061

With its roots in petroleum and liquid bulk cargos, Richmond has expanded its dry bulk, breakbulk and containerized cargo handling capabilities and has increased its automobile processing facilities. Today, Richmond ranks No. 1 in liquid bulk and automobile tonnage among ports on San Francisco Bay.

25. Philadelphia, PA

Total tons: 26,656,373

Located on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, the port’s publicly owned marine terminals are managed by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (a.k.a. PhilaPort, an agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is responsible for six other ports that combined create one of the largest shipping areas of the country.

26. Seattle, WA

Total tons: 26,046,093

The port keeps Washington state connected through aviation, maritime, logistics, trade and travel services. Its scope includes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), and in 2014 an alliance was formed between the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

27. Valdez, AK

Total tons: 25,807,750

Valdez is a fishing port, both for commercial and sport fishing, but freight also moves through bound for the interior of Alaska. Valdez is connected to the inland by the Richardson Highway, while also serving as a port of call in the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system.

28. Freeport, TX

Total tons: 25,446,078

Billed as one of the most accessible Texas ports “by land and by sea,” Port Freeport is administered as an independent governmental body authorized by an act of the Texas Legislature in 1925. Located about 60 miles south of Houston, the port is accessible via state highway 36, and highway 288.

29. Port Everglades, FL

Total tons: 25,022,351

Port Everglades is one of Broward County’s leading economic engines, generating nearly $32 billion in economic activity annually while supporting 13,000 local jobs for people who work at the Port and for companies that provide direct services.

30. Charleston, SC

Total tons: 24,822,636

The South Carolina seaport’s facilities span three municipalities—Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant—with five public terminals handling containers, motor vehicles and other rolling stock, non-containerized goods and project cargo. Privately owned and operated facilities at the port handle bulk commodities such as coal, steel and petroleum.

31. Portland, OR

Total tons: 23,228,424

‪Oregon’s largest port ships more than 11 million tons of cargo a year, including grain, minerals, forest products, and autos. The port partners with the region’s businesses and shippers to develop custom shipping solutions that deliver results.

32. Tacoma, WA

Total tons: 22,849,184

Seattle’s Northwest Seaport Alliance partner jointly manages marine cargo operations to strengthen the Puget Sound gateway. Tacoma is strategically located in the northwest corner of the U.S., where the focus is on efficiency, reliability, and customer service.

33. Pittsburgh, PA

Total tons: 21,567,015

The port spans a 12-county area, encompassing essentially all 200 miles of commercially navigable waterways in southwestern Pennsylvania, including the three major rivers in this region: the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio.

34. Oakland, CA

Total tons: 19,373,876

The first major port on the Pacific coast to build terminals for container ships, Oakland went on in 2002 to develop an intermodal container handling system to handle a high volume of cargo.

35. Jacksonville, FL

Total tons: 17,999,036

JAXPORT is a global gateway to the nation’s third-largest state, serving dozens of ocean carriers and offering competitive transit times to 140 ports in more than 70 countries. JAXPORT boasts of 100 trucking firms and 40 daily trains via two class one rail carriers and a regional rail line.

36. Two Harbors, MN

Total tons: 17,208,207

You will mostly see “lakers” (ships that travel within the Great Lakes) in Twin Harbors’ Agate Bay, but more and more there are also ocean-going vessels arriving to load iron ore that was delivered by rail from mines in northern Minnesota.

37. Chicago, IL

Total tons: 16,866,792

Located on the Chicago River on Lake Michigan, the port has a rich history as a center of commercial shipping, with fur traders choosing it as a distribution point for their products. Operated by the Illinois International Port District, Chicago consists of various port facilities, including a terminal with 100 acres of warehouses and facilities.

38. Boston, MA

Total tons: 16,163,552

The major seaport in Boston Harbor and adjacent to the City of Boston is the largest port in Massachusetts as well as one of the principal ports on the East Coast. Most cargo handling facilities are in the Boston neighborhoods of Charlestown, East Boston, South Boston and in the neighboring city of Everett.

39. Paulsboro, NJ

Total tons: 16,121,201

The Paulsboro Marine Terminal, the first major port to be constructed on the Delaware River in more than 50 years, has processed more than 4 million tons of imported steel slabs since it opened in 2017. The second phase of construction is scheduled for completion in 2021. At full build-out, the new facility will feature three berths on the river and a barge berth on Mantua Creek.

40. Kalama, WA

Total tons: 15,796,458

Sitting on the Columbia River in Southwest Washington, immediately off of Interstate 5, the port is just 30 miles northwest of Portland and 120 miles south of Seattle. Kalama’s industrial area includes five miles of riverfront property adjacent to the river’s 43-foot, federally maintained deep-draft navigation channel.

41. Honolulu, HI

Total tons: 15,181,890

The gateway to Hawaii is less than 2 miles from the major steamship lines and carriers. The 3-acre Honolulu Freight Service terminal services all domestic and international inbound cargo, utilizing a 60,000-square-foot facility with 14 dock high doors, ramp access and conveniently located on North Nimitz Highway.

42. Detroit, MI

Total tons: 14,837,762

Located along the west side of the Detroit River, Michigan’s largest seaport consists of multiple marine terminals handling general, liquid, and bulk cargo as well as passengers. The Port of Detroit’s single most valuable commodity is steel, and the largest commodity handled by tonnage is ore. Other important commodities handled at the port include stone, coal, and cement.

43. Longview, WA

Total tons: 13,738,906

Operating since 1921, the port has eight marine terminals and waterfront industrial property spanning 835 acres on the deep-draft Columbia River, 66 miles from the Pacific Ocean in southwest Washington state.

44. Marcus Hook, PA

Total tons: 12,205,883

The Delaware Bay seaport has an anchorage depth of 11 to 12.2 meters, a cargo pier depth of 9.4 to 10 meters, and an oil terminal depth of 11 to 12.2 meters.

45. Indiana Harbor, IN

Total tons: 11,910,541

July 17, 2020, marked the 50th anniversary of the grand opening of the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, the beginning of an organization that connects America’s heartland to the world and provides a stimulus to the state’s economy.

46. Cleveland, OH

Total tons: 11,778,910

One of the largest ports on the Great Lakes, the port is responsible for more than 20,000 jobs and $3.5 billion in annual economic activity. The Port of Cleveland is the only local government agency whose sole mission is to spur job creation and economic vitality in Cuyahoga County.

47. San Juan, PR

Total tons: 11,737,059

The port’s cargo facilities are located on the southern portion of San Juan Bay. At least eight cargo terminals–five in the Puerto Nuevo district and the rest in neighboring Guaynabo—have immediate access to Puerto Rico’s vast expressway system and several major local routes.

48. Memphis, TN

Total tons: 11,055,740

The “International” Port of Memphis the second-largest inland port on the shallow draft portion of the Mississippi River, and the fifth largest inland port in the nation.

49. Anacortes, WA

Total tons: 11,038,886

One of only eight deepwater ports in Washington state, Anacortes can accommodate Panamax vessels with additional dredging. The port—which was ranked 49th among U.S. ports and fifth among Washington ports in total trade by cargo tonnage during 2016—is known for its diverse, highly skilled maritime sector workforce.

50. Vancouver, WA

Total tons: 10,527,470

One of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, Vancouver (of Washington, not British Columbia) boasts as competitive strengths available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community.

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Carriers

Pros and Cons of Re-using Shipping Containers

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If you keep up to date with the latest worldwide architectural trends, you must know that a lot of fuss has been made over old shipping containers. These days, they aren’t just discarded after their expected life is over. Instead, people turn them into houses, storage units, coffee shops, restaurants – you name it. You have to admit how crafty this is for those who want to start a business amid a global crisis. However, it can’t be denied that there are both advantages and disadvantages of reusing shipping containers. I would like to cover the basic ones, in case you are pondering about giving an old shipping container a new life.

Save your time and money

Building a home from scratch (or any other structure that provides shelter) is not only an expensive project – it is also a time-consuming one. Anyone who has ever been in the situation to go through the entire construction process will be able to give you first-hand insight into all the difficulties ahead. The good thing is that most of those time and money-related problems can be solved by repurposing shipping containers.

Not only are they very affordable, but you can also build them incredibly quickly: you stick them together like Lego pieces. An added benefit is that you can easily move them to a new location. After all, that is their original purpose. This certainly comes in handy in the fast-paced world we live in – you never know where you might end up.

Shipping containers are durable

As you already know, shipping containers are built to sustain all the challenges of maritime shipping. The ocean can certainly be rough at times, leading manufacturers to build extremely durable units. Compared to cement units, shipping containers are lightweight since they have a steel structure. All of this leads to a much more resilient unit against earthquakes – a feature you surely want your home or business property to have.

Apart from being safe, one has to admit that a structure made by putting together a couple of shipping containers does look contemporary and unique. Talk about a great way to have a safe yet aesthetically-pleasing home at the same time.

Protect the environment by reusing shipping containers

It’s quite simple to see how you protect the environment by repurposing shipping containers. Did you know that you can save about 3500 kilograms of steel by reusing just one shipping container? Now imagine how much you save by using a couple of them. Moreover, by turning a plethora of shipping containers into a building, you can prevent the use of brick and cement for the new structure. Knowing that cement is one of the biggest sources of CO2, one of nature’s biggest enemies, gives you an additional reason to reuse old containers.

The temperature inside a container can be a problem

It’s impossible to talk about the biggest cons of reusing shipping containers without mentioning the difficulties of controlling the temperature inside. Since containers are made of steel, they can very easily absorb both heat and cold. So if you are thinking about starting a new business or building a home entirely out of shipping containers, you will need to invest in insulation. Otherwise, you could be facing incredibly low temperatures in the winter and extreme heat in the summer. And those are two extremes you definitely don’t need to experience.

The possibility of rust and corrosion

If you plan on repurposing old shipping containers, you need to be ready for the fact that they require a lot of maintenance. They are not corrosion or rust-proof and they do best in moderate climate conditions. If you live in a dry area with very little rainfall, you live in the perfect place to avoid the problems mentioned above. But if you don’t, we suggest you prepare for the fact that rust and corrosion might appear sooner rather than later.

Be aware of toxic exposure when repurposing

Many shipping containers will need to be exposed to multiple insecticides to meet the global import and export regulations and procedures. If you plan on residing or starting a business inside such containers, you might face toxic exposure. Since you don’t want to risk your health and that of others, I strongly suggest you remove the container’s wooden floor. Also, cover the inside surface with bare metal, which you should later cover with non-toxic paint.

Whether you decide that reusing shipping containers is the right move for you is your decision. I wanted to familiarize you with both the benefits and the disadvantages of doing so. If you don’t mind putting a bit of extra maintenance into the process, repurposing a container is a great idea. Otherwise, you might do better by going down the traditional route.

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Julia Richards is the owner of a small business with a degree in finance and accounting. Apart from being a successful business owner with 15 years of experience, Julia also enjoys working as a freelance writer on a variety of different topics and a number of websites, including Zippy Shell of Greater Philadelphia. Her passion is helping young entrepreneurs surpass the challenges of the business market, as she has been doing for over a decade. Julia resides in Seattle with her husband, two kids, and a family dog. 

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Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Carriers

DON’T LOOK SOLELY AT THE LARGEST SHIPS IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

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When it comes to ocean transportation, some might automatically think of massive container vessels carrying loads upon loads of cargo with ease. Vessels such as the OOCL Hong Kong, COSCO Shipping Taurus or Madrid Maersk are on the list of the largest shipping vessels across the globe. Although these and other large-scale shipping vessels significantly contribute to the movement of goods in the supply chain, there are quite a few smaller vessels and ships that are just as important and continue contributing to the transportation of goods and fulfilling other purposes for those on the water.

Our goal is to give these smaller vessels credit where it is rightfully due, all while examining their position in the ocean transportation industry and where they are headed.

REEFER SHIPS (AND CONTAINERS)

Known for being smaller in size and scale, the reefer ship serves a special purpose in transporting goods, specifically perishable goods including food and other items requiring specific cooling capabilities. The major differentiator among these ships is their unique design exclusively for transporting cold items. These ships are typically equipped with specific access points and pallets capable of holding reefer containers (usually twenty-foot TEUs). Port Technology has appropriately referred to these reefer containers as “large fridges carried by containerships.”

Among the types of cargo commonly found on one of these reefer ships, bananas are considered the most important over fruits, meats, and even blood and other expensive types of cargoes, according to Port Technology. Other items include pharmaceuticals, flowers and other perishable food varieties. Without the capabilities of these reefer ships to ensure proper temperatures are maintained during transport, many parts of the supply chain would suffer.

The reefer ship does have its competition, however. The previously mentioned “large fridges” are becoming savvier and offering more in terms of temperature variations during transport. Port Technology reports that in 2018, only eight total reefer transport specialist companies existed out of the original 20+ back in 2000. These upgraded reefer containers are cited as the main culprit of this.

BARGE VESSELS

Known for its unique “raft” appearance and functions, the barge vessel stands out by offering much more than what meets the eye. This special type of transport method requires some powering from another source, meaning it does not have its own engine to keep it moving. Although there are some self-powered barges in the modern market, the classic barge in known for relying on a tugboat to move from point A to point B successfully. The barge maintains its position for inland transportation through its environmentally friendly benefits such as reduced fuel usage while transporting more in fewer miles compared to trucks.

According to a report from the American Maritime Partnership, more than 750 million tons of cargo are moved by the famous tug-and-barge combination every year, in addition the $30 billion economic impact in America. The barge industry is not exempt from disruptions, however. Last year proved to be a difficult time for the industry due to extreme flooding and trade tensions, directly impacting the agricultural sector. The Waterways Journal reported that 19.8 million acres went without planting in 2019 due to flooding.

“While some freight rates have appreciated, we still face downward pressure in agricultural and coal markets that need significant improvements in demand before the barge industry can realize a true recovery from what we have seen in the last three to four years,” commented Mark Knoy, president and CEO of American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) in the report.

TUGS

Think of tugs (or tugboats) as a “part two” of the barge vessel. The tug holds its own in the maritime world, however, and is not solely confined to pulling the barge in its lifetime on the water. Whether it is an ocean, sea, rescue or harbor tug, these much smaller helpers on the water work alongside non-powered vessels or other watercraft, including some sizeable ships that needs assistance when in trouble.

These small-but-mighty supporters have a decent range of displacement anywhere from 300 to 1,000 tons, depending on which type (ocean, rescue, harbor). Large tugs are of great importance to global navies. One of the largest of these types of tugs is the Russian Navy’s Vsevolod Bobrov, which boasts a 9,700-ton displacement and the ability to break ice when needed.

CHEMICAL TANKERS

Think of these tankers as the hazmat vessels of the maritime shipping world. Ranging from S1, S2 and S3 rankings of ships, the chemical tankers on the ocean vary in degrees of safety measures based on the types of chemicals onboard and their requirements outlined by the International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC). These tankers vary in size but are typically anywhere from 5,000 dwt all the way up to 50,000 dwt, although the larger tankers are not as frequently seen. These ships come equipped with individual deep well pumps, pipelines and other systems to ensure minimum risk of exposure and potential contamination.

Chemical tankers are a different breed of ships as they come with an increased set of risks from the liquids they transport. Among common risks, cargo compatibility, cargo spillage, toxicity and flammability all pose potential problems for those onboard and the environment. Compliance simply cannot be subpar in efforts when it comes to transporting chemicals and leading chemical carriers such as Odfjell Tankers, Fairfield Chemical Carriers, and B+H Shipping continue to make waves in the transport of chemicals and other related liquids across the globe.

These are just a few of the various types of watercraft supporting the global supply chain. Without these ships guiding the way, many of the things needed to keep domestic and global economies afloat would not be as easily accessible, transportable, or available. As containerships and other mega-vessels continue to challenge the ocean shipping landscape, it is important to consider the ways these smaller ocean vessels and ships can transform to better meet market demands while supporting sustainable operations. At this point in time, these smaller players in ocean shipping are here to stay.

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Archives, Features, Global Logistics, Global Shippers 101, Ocean Ports

AMERICA’S LEADING PORTS FROM COAST TO COAST

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What makes a well-functioning port? Let us count the ways. There are a number of factors that contribute to the success of a port. First is location. A port should be in a region with natural resources, access to transportation and enough space for future growth. Second, it should have access to funding through government or private investment. Without this, infrastructure that facilitates the transport of goods can’t be built—tanks, cranes, quays and jetties, for example.

Third, a port should be able to accommodate ships. Does the port provide easy access during low and high tides? How well are the facilities maintained, particularly during flooding, droughts, or in extreme weather? Great ports also have the resources needed to function, including piers, stacking yards, and warehouses. And last, for the ports with an eye toward the future, they should also have access to land that will help with expansion. It will provide easy access to transport—river, rail, road.

A great port is the rare amalgam of art and science—like these leading American ports from coast to coast.

1. Port of New York and New Jersey

With 72 percent of the first port of calls on the East Coast, the Port of New York and New Jersey is the busiest in the region. It has contributed to the New York City area becoming an affluent commercial district nationally and globally. The largest port on the East Coast is also the third-largest in the United States.

It supports 400,000 jobs and has generated almost $8.5 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenues. It has facilitated more than 85 million tons of cargo worth more than $211 billion. Its top exports are wood pulp, wood and articles of wood, and plastics. Top imports are beverages, plastic and machinery parts. New York and New Jersey is No. 3 nationally for the total volume of exports, the highest on the East Coast, behind the West Coast ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

2. Ports of Tacoma and Seattle

The Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma—both located in Washington State and jointly operated by the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA)—is the fourth-largest container gateway. The NWSA, by way of the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma, also ships bulk, breakbulk, project/heavy-lift cargos and vehicles. These ports provide a gateway for major distribution points in the Midwest, Ohio Valley and East Coast.

The NWSA is also a key trade partner with Asia. International trade generated was worth $75.3 billion in 2017. Domestic trade, which includes routes through Puget Sound on the way to Alaska, generated $5.4 billion in 2015, according to the NWSA. The No. 1 gateway for refrigerated exports, the NWSA ports helped generate more than $4.3 billion in revenue for Washington State.

3. Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles isn’t quite located in the city of Los Angeles but is 25 miles south in the San Pedro Bay. Nonetheless, the Port of LA is the No. 1 container port in the U.S. in terms of cargo volume going in and out of the port. It includes 7,500 acres of land and 43 miles of waterfront. The Port of LA has passenger and cargo terminals that accommodate containers, cruise lines, automobiles, dry and liquid bulk, breakbulk and warehouse stage space.

Also, the No. 1 container port in the Western Hemisphere since 2000, the Port of LA moved more than 9.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2019. The port is currently undergoing a $2.6 billion infrastructural redevelopment project to strengthen its economic arm and cargo efficiency. The gateway for trade with Asia has a diverse array of exports ranging from avocados and zinc.

4. Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the No. 2 busiest container seaport in the U.S., which is fitting because it operates in concert with its numero uno neighbor the Port of Los Angeles. Long Beach’s port supports one in five jobs in its city and contributes to $200 billion in trade annually. The port handled more than 8 million TEUs in 2018, its busiest year. Its Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project is pioneering sustainable practices through a 10-year construction program. It will redevelop two older terminals to create a more advanced, greener container terminal.

A western gateway to Asia, the port has more than 90 percent of its shipments bound for East Asian countries. The Port of Long Beach boasts 3,520 acres of land, 4,600 acres of water, 10 piers, 62 berths and 68 post-Panamax gantry cranes. It also handles 82.3 million metric tons of cargo per year.

5. Port of Houston

Houston might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think “international city,” yet the Gulf Coast location serves as a gateway to various countries. That explains why its port is built for international trade—to the point that it’s the No. 1 U.S. port in total foreign waterborne tonnage, with imports and exports combined.

The Port of Houston contributes 20 percent of the GDP for the state of Texas, worth $339 billion. With 69 percent of all U.S. Gulf Coast container traffic, the Port of Houston is the largest container port. It also prioritizes air quality in the local region through the use of alternative fuels and low-emission equipment and vehicles.

6. South Carolina Ports

Here are two winning statistics: the South Carolina Ports boast more crane moves per hour than any other U.S. port (37), and it also exported more than 194,000 vehicles in 2019. Opened in 1942, the South Carolina Ports Authority consists of public maritime terminals at the Port of Charleston, the Port of Georgetown, and inland ports in Dillion and Greer.

Deep channels accommodate vessels up to 48 feet, and ships are two hours sailing distance from open ocean to South Carolina Ports. Turnaround times for trucks at the gates are 23 minutes with nine minutes at the interchange gate. Transportation is also amenable with interstate access within two miles of all South Carolina Ports, and rail access through CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads.

7. Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland waters are 50 feet deep to accommodate vessels that hold capacities of up to 18,000 TEUs. This up-and-coming port has transportation partners that include Union Pacific and BNSF Railway. International accounts for 92 percent of the port’s trade, with 78 percent being with Asia, 11 percent with Europe and 2 percent apiece with Australia/New Zealand and Oceania and other foreign countries. The Port of Oakland is one of the three major container ports in California that account for more than 50 percent of total U.S. cargo volume.

The port contributes to more than 73,000 jobs in the Oakland region, and more than 827,000 in the United States. Growth With Care, a five-year growth plan the port released in 2018, aims to bring in more business, with a goal of 2.6 million TEUs and an 8 percent increase in containerized cargo volume by 2022. Investing in large projects and focusing more on sustainable practices throughout the port are also part of the growth plan.

8. PortMiami

The Port of Miami (a.k.a. PortMiami) is the U.S. container port that is closest to the Panama Canal. It provides global access to Florida and much of the rest of the United States. It’s also the closest East Coast port to Mexico.

More than $1 billion was invested in 2019 to make PortMiami even more accessible globally. It has a deeper dredge to welcome large cargo vessels, and on-port rail provides alternative transportation. The port also has an underwater tunnel that connects to the interstate to keep port traffic off of the highway. PortMiami is located strategically at the nexus of north-south and east-west trade lines.

9. Port of South Louisiana

This 54-mile long port sits at the intersection of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, which provides easy distribution for products at the domestic and international levels. The Port of Louisiana has three main interstates that connect to the port. It is also served by six major gas and oil lines, transporting more than 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day.

In 2019, the Port of Louisiana had 3,495 calls from oceangoing vessels, and 54,921 barge calls. The total throughput for the year totaled more than 258 million tons of cargo through vessels and barges. Port of South Louisiana’s Foreign Trade Zone 124 was ranked No. 1 by Merchandise Magazine based on admitted products worth $51.8 billion. The port, which is also ranked No. 1 domestically for total throughput tonnage, boasts the largest grain port in America. Air cargo is accessible through the Louis Armstrong International Airport.

10. Port of Corpus Christi

Operating since 1926, this 36-mile Texas port provides a 47-foot deep channel for domestic and international trade. It provides access through rail and road, connecting to two major interstate highways (37 and 181) and three railroads (BNSF, Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific). It is the third-largest port domestically and No. 2 for crude oil exports.

With a warm climate that allows for easy operation year-round, the Port of Corpus Christi is also a part of the Intracoastal Waterway that stretches from Brownville, Texas, to Boston, Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Coast. The port also implements renewable energy practices by using wind energy for breakbulk and heavy-lift cargo.

11. Port of Mobile

The Port of Mobile carries more than $22.4 billion in economic value to Alabama. The only deepwater port in the state, it sits on the Mobile River. It houses 5 million square feet of warehouse and open-yard space and has a channel depth of 45 feet. Its tonnage in 2018 totaled 26.8 million tons.

Major imports for the Port of Mobile include heavy lift and oversized cargo, containers, coal, aluminum, iron and steel. Major exports include heavy lift and oversized cargo, containers, coal, lumber, and plywood. The port has 1,500 miles of inland and Intracoastal waterways. It serves the Gulf of Mexico, the Ohio and Tennessee river valleys and the Great Lakes. It is owned and operated by the Alabama State Port Authority.

12. Port of Greater Baton Rouge

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge sits where the Mississippi River and Gulf Intercoastal Waterway converge. Its 45-foot shipping channel is upheld by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This port also offers access to intermodal transportation via connections to interstate highways.

The Midwest and other U.S. regions can be accessed through the Port of Baton Rouge’s 15,000 miles of inland waterways. The port also provides access to the Gulf of Mexico, Latin America and the Panama Canal. Its bulk and breakbulk cargo include asphalt, aggregates, limestone, barite, carbon black, coal and coffee.

13. Port of Plaquemines

Twenty miles south of the Port of New Orleans (and also in Louisiana) is the Port of Plaquemines, which boasts of more than 100 miles of deep-draft access, with a minimum of 45 feet. It’s within the same Plaquemines Parish where you will find the unincorporated community of Venice, which supports oil and gas tonnage. Venice has pipelines, petroleum infrastructure and draft wharfage with both deep and shallow water to support vessels carrying oil supply.

The Port of Plaquemines, which can be accessed by 33 U.S. states, has annual tonnage exceeding 55 million tons. Popular imports include coke, carbon black feedstock, crude and fuel oil. Exports include coal, grain-corn, soybean and wheat.

14. Port of Metropolitan St. Louis

That is how the city of St. Louis, Missouri’s port authority refers to the important trade hub in the Midwest. The 70-mile port is the second-largest inland port in the U.S. Its cargoes include grain, coal, chemicals, and petroleum products.

Metro St. Louis is also the 17th largest port in the U.S., with an intermodal transportation system that includes six Class One railroads, seven interstates, and two international airports. It has access to two foreign trade zones and contributes to thousands of jobs in Missouri and Illinois. The Port of Metropolitan St. Louis ships more than 36 tons of freight annually. It has 16 public terminals and more than 130 piers, wharves, docks, and fleeting.

15. Port of Portland

Oregon’s Port of Portland may be on the West Coast, but it is a central trade hub for the Midwest, having shipped more than 4 million tons of grain worldwide in 2017. It has been an auto gateway since 1953, importing and exporting vehicles manufactured by Ford, Toyota, Hyundai and Honda. More than 300,000 automobiles were imported or exported through the Port of Portland’s terminals in 2019.

This port’s intermodal transportation includes rail and interstate highways. With three airports, four terminals, and five business parks, the Port of Portland has also helped generate more than $6.4 billion a year for the region. It has also helped spur the creation of 27,000 jobs and contributes to more than $1.8 billion in wages.

16. Port of Pascagoula

More than 32 million tons of cargo pass through this Southeastern Mississippi port each year. The Port of Pascagoula is Mississippi’s largest seaport. This port provides easy access for shipment through the Gulf of Mexico. Shipping lanes can be accessed within two hours from open ocean, and the channels are 42 feet deep.

The Port of Pascagoula is operated by the Jackson County Port Authority. Popular imports are forest products, crude oil, and chemicals. Exports are forest products, paper products, petroleum products, chemicals and project cargo. It ranks No. 23 in total trade—domestic plus international—with a volume of 27 million tons in 2018, according to statistics from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Each of these ports fulfills different factors that help them to successfully function in their respective regions. Whether it’s the depth of the channels to allow for varying size ships to dock or easy access to transportation, these ports help to facilitate domestic and international trade. In turn, they help spur the creation of jobs and stronger local, state and national economies. Overall, these ports are helping to shape the United States economy for the better—one import, one export, at a time.