UN/LOCODE: GUGUM📍 Guam
Port of Guam (UN/LOCODE GUGUM)
❖ Coordinates: 13.4443°N, 144.7937°E
❖ Time Zone: Pacific/Guam
❖ UN/LOCODE: GUGUM
## About the Port
**Port Name:** Guam (UN/LOCODE: GUGUM)
**Country/Territory:** United States – Guam
**Geographic Coordinates:** 13.444304 ° N, 144.793731 ° E
**Time Zone:** Pacific/Guam (UTC +10)
The commercial gateway of the island chain is centred on **Apra Harbor**, a natural deep‑water anchorage on the western coast of Guam. Operated by the Port Authority of Guam, the facility serves as the primary point of entry for containerized freight, bulk cargo, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) vessels, and naval logistics ships. With a strategic location midway between East Asia and the United States West Coast, the port functions as both a civilian trade hub and a critical military logistics node for the United States Indo‑Pacific Command.
---
## History
### Early Development (1900‑1941)
- **Spanish Era (1668‑1898):** The harbor’s natural protection made it a modest coaling station for Spanish galleons.
- **American Acquisition (1898):** After the Spanish‑American War, Guam became a U.S. territory; the U.S. Navy began modest improvements to accommodate naval auxiliaries.
### World War II and Post‑War Expansion (1941‑1970)
- **Japanese Occupation (1941‑1944):** Apra Harbor was seized and expanded by Imperial Japanese forces, who installed anti‑aircraft batteries and a small slipway.
- **Liberation & U.S. Naval Base (1944):** Following the Battle of Guam, the U.S. Navy reconstructed the harbor, deepening the channel to 41 ft (12.5 m) and establishing **Naval Base Guam**.
- **Commercial Port Formation (1950s):** The Guam Port Authority (GPA) was created in 1957, transitioning the harbor from exclusively military use to a mixed civil–military port.
### Modernization (1970‑Present)
- **Containerization (1975‑1985):** The first container crane was installed in 1978, positioning Guam among the early adopters of container handling in the Pacific.
- **Infrastructure Overhaul (1990s‑2000s):** A $150 million upgrade added a modern container terminal, refrigerated cargo facilities, and a dedicated Ro‑Ro berth for cruise ships and military roll‑on traffic.
- **Strategic Re‑balancing (2010‑2020):** In response to the U.S. Indo‑Pacific pivot, the port received additional deep‑water berths and expanded its pre‑positioning capabilities to support forward‑deployed forces.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
| Berth | Type | Length (m) | Draft (m) | Primary Use |
|------|------|------------|-----------|--------------|
| 1‑4 | General cargo & container | 350 – 420 | 12.5 | Container vessels (up to 6,000 TEU) |
| 5‑6 | Ro‑Ro / Cruise | 270 – 300 | 11.0 | Passenger liners, military roll‑on |
| 7‑9 | Bulk & project cargo | 300 – 380 | 13.5 | Grain, ore, heavy equipment |
| 10 | Naval support | 350 | 13.0 | Pre‑positioning ships, Navy replenishment |
The harbor entrance channel is dredged to **13.5 m (44 ft)**, permitting Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels, while the tidal range is minimal (< 0.9 m), ensuring year‑round operability.
### Handling Equipment
- **Four Super‑Post-Panamax container cranes** (15 m outreach, 45 t lift) – 2021 upgrade for 5,000‑TEU ships.
- **Two rail‑mounted gantry cranes** for bulk cargo.
- **Five Ro‑Ro ramps** with adjustable grades for vehicle‑laden ships.
- **Cold‑storage warehouses** (total 4,500 m³) linked to the island’s refrigerated logistics network.
### Storage & Intermodal Links
- **Open‑air container yard:** 30 hectares, capacity of 8,000 TEU, equipped with RFID‑enabled stacking.
- **Rail‑free internal road network:** 25 km of reinforced concrete lanes, supporting **30 t trucks** and **12‑m trailers**.
- **Air‑cargo integration:** Direct road access to **Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport** (ICAO: PGUM), enabling multimodal transfers within 15 minutes of dock arrival.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Border Protection (CBP)** facilities conforming to the U.S. Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
- **Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) communications** compliant with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)**.
- **Fuel farm** with low‑sulphur bunker (0.10 % S) and Marine Diesel Oil (MDO) stocks up to 4 million L.
*For a complete technical specification, see the Port Authority of Guam’s official facilities brochure*【Port Authority of Guam – Facilities↗】.
---
## Economic Importance
### Trade Volume
- **Annual cargo throughput (2023):** ~ 2.4 million metric tons.
- **Container traffic:** 620,000 TEU, representing **≈ 35 %** of total cargo volume.
### Key Economic Sectors
| Sector | Contribution to Guam GDP | Role of the Port |
|--------|--------------------------|-------------------|
| **Retail & Consumer Goods** | 27 % | Import of food, electronics, and apparel via container ships. |
| **Construction & Infrastructure** | 22 % | Import of cement, steel, and heavy machinery in bulk carriers. |
| **Tourism (Cruise)** | 16 % | Ro‑Ro berth supports cruise liners, delivering passengers and provisioning supplies. |
| **Military Logistics** | 19 % | Pre‑positioning of ammunition, fuel, and spare parts for U.S. forces. |
| **Agriculture & Aquaculture** | 6 % | Export of locally grown fruits, seafood, and niche specialty products. |
The port’s ability to receive **Panamax‑class container ships** directly from East Asian manufacturers reduces reliance on trans‑shipment via Hong Kong or Manila, lowering freight costs for local businesses by an estimated **12 %**. Moreover, the presence of a U.S. Navy logistics hub generates **≈ $150 million** in ancillary services annually, spanning ship repair, provisioning, and crew changeover operations.
### Employment & Skill Development
- **Direct port employment:** ~ 1,200 personnel (administration, stevedores, technical staff).
- **Indirect jobs:** > 4,500 roles in warehousing, trucking, customs brokerage, and maritime services.
The GPA collaborates with the **Guam Community College** to offer certifications in maritime logistics, crane operation, and customs compliance, creating a pipeline of skilled labor aligned with international standards.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Shipping Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Approximate Distance (nm) | Typical Vessel Types |
|----------------------|---------------------------|----------------------|
| **Tokyo / Yokohama, Japan** | 1,750 | 5,500‑TEU container ships |
| **Kaohsiung, Taiwan** | 1,200 | Feeder container vessels |
| **Manila, Philippines** | 1,500 | General cargo & Ro‑Ro |
| **Hong Kong / Shenzhen** | 1,300 | Post‑Panamax containers |
| **Los Angeles / Long Beach, USA** | 5,700 | Large container ships (up to 12,000 TEU) |
| **Singapore** | 2,400 | Bulk carriers & service vessels |
These routes integrate Guam into the **East‑West maritime corridor**, linking the **China Sea** trade network to the **Pacific Rim** logistics chain. The port also serves as a **lay‑over point** for vessels performing island‑hopping itineraries between Micronesia and the broader Pacific.
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Approx. Share of Volume | Notable Commodities |
|----------------|------------------------|---------------------|
| **Containers** | 35 % | Consumer electronics, apparel, pharmaceuticals. |
| **Bulk (Dry)** | 28 % | Cement, construction aggregates, rice. |
| **Bulk (Liquid)** | 12 % | Fuel oil, lubricants, chemicals. |
| **Ro‑Ro** | 9 % | Vehicles, heavy equipment, cruise‑ship provisions. |
| **Project Cargo** | 6 % | Prefabricated structures, turbine components. |
| **Specialized/Cold Chain** | 5 % | Fresh produce, meat, dairy, pharmaceuticals. |
| **Military Pre‑positioned Supplies** | 5 % | Ammunition, spare parts, medical stores. |
The **container segment** is dominated by **manufactured goods from East Asia**, while **dry bulk imports** primarily support Guam’s ongoing construction boom. In recent years, the **cold‑chain segment** has grown at **8 % CAGR**, reflecting increased demand for fresh food imports and the island’s expanding hospitality sector.
### Connectivity & Future Outlook
Guam’s port is slated for a **$85 million expansion** under the **U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Infrastructure Program (MIP)**, slated for completion in 2028. Planned upgrades include:
- **Additional deep‑water berth** (draft 14 m) to accommodate ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs).
- **Automation of container yard** with AI‑driven stowage planning, boosting throughput by **15 %**.
- **Renewable energy integration** (solar arrays) targeting a **30 % reduction** in port‑operational emissions.
These enhancements will strengthen Guam’s role as a **trans‑pacific logistics hub**, augmenting resilience for both commercial supply chains and U.S. strategic mobility in an increasingly contested Indo‑Pacific environment.
---
*Keywords: Port of Guam, Apra Harbor, Guam maritime trade, Pacific shipping hub, U.S. Indo‑Pacific logistics, container throughput Guam, Guam port infrastructure.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GUGUM
Country
Guam
Province / Region
N/A
Latitude
13.444304
Longitude
144.793731
Timezone
Pacific/Guam
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Guam?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Guam is GUGUM.
Where is Port of Guam located?
The Port of Guam is located in Guam. Its coordinates are 13.4443°N, 144.7937°E.
What time zone is Port of Guam in?
Port of Guam operates in the Pacific/Guam time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height1.2 m
Wave Direction248°
Swell Height1.06 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Guam.
Saipan
Northern Mariana Islands • 219 km awayPohnpei (ex Ponape)
Micronesia, Federated States of • 1645 km awayJayapura, Irian Jaya
Indonesia • 1840 km awayMadang
Papua New Guinea • 2078 km away