UN/LOCODE: USCLM📍 United States
Port of Port Angeles (UN/LOCODE USCLM)
❖ Coordinates: 48.1181°N, -123.4307°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USCLM
## About the Port
Port Angeles (UN/LOCODE **USCLM**) sits on the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, at **48.118146 ° N, ‑123.4307413 ° W**. The harbor lies within the “Strait of Juan de Fuca” and is protected by Dungeness Bay, giving it a natural deep‑water anchorage that can accommodate vessels up to **30 m (≈100 ft) draft**. The port operates on **Pacific Time (America/Los_Angeles)** and is administered by the **Port of Port Angeles**, a public‑benefit corporation created under Washington state law.
The facility serves a mixed‑use clientele: commercial cargo operators, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Washington State Ferries system, recreational marinas, and a growing tourism sector anchored by the nearby Olympic National Park. Its strategic position—approximately 130 nm from the Canada–U.S. maritime border and 300 nm from the major container hub of Seattle—makes it a useful gateway for regional bulk commodities, short‑sea feeder services, and emergency response vessels.
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## History
The natural harbor at Port Angeles was first charted by British explorer **George Vancouver** in 1792, who named the adjacent bay “Dungeness” after a headland in England. The settlement grew rapidly after the **Klondike Gold Rush** (1896‑99), when the port became a primary embarkation point for prospectors heading north to Alaska.
In 1915 the city incorporated a **Port Authority** to manage navigation improvements, dredging, and the construction of a timber‑loading dock that capitalized on the abundant forests of the Olympic Peninsula. During World II the U.S. Navy used the deepwater anchorage for training runs and as a staging area for Pacific‐theater convoys, prompting the federal **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers** to deepen the main channel to 27 ft (8.2 m)¹↗.
Post‑war, the port diversified into **fisheries, pulp‑and‑paper, and light manufacturing**. The 1970s saw the addition of a modern ferry terminal, connecting the Olympic Peninsula to **San Juan Island** and, later, to **Vancouver Island, Canada**. Recent decades have focused on sustainable shoreline management, habitat restoration, and the integration of **green port initiatives** such as shore‑power for docked vessels and low‑emission cargo handling equipment.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Key Characteristics |
|----------|----------------------|
| **Main Channel** | 27 ft (8.2 m) depth, 150 m wide, maintained by periodic dredging. |
| **Berths** | 5 commercial berths (0‑30 m length), equipped with 3‑ton‑capacity mobile cranes and bulk‑handling conveyor belts. |
| **Ferry Terminal** | 2 × vehicular slips, annual capacity ≈ 2 million passengers, integrated with Washington State Ferries (WSF). |
| **Marina & Yacht Club** | 250 slips, ranging from 20‑50 ft, with pump‑out, fresh‑water, and fuel services. |
| **Warehouse Space** | ~20,000 sq ft of climate‑controlled storage, adjacent to the bulk‑handling area. |
| **Customs & Inspection** | On‑site U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office, enabling expedited clearance for low‑value cargo. |
| **Support Services** | Coast Guard station, Pilotage (U.S. Coast Pilot‑4), ship‑repair yard (dry‑dock capacity 150 ft), and a marine fuel farm (MGO, ULSD). |
The port’s **electrified shore‑power (cold ironing)** infrastructure, installed in 2022, allows vessels up to 10 MW to plug into the grid, reducing idling emissions while docked. A dedicated **dry‑bulk terminal** can handle up to 2 Mt/yr of aggregates, grain, and timber—primarily via conveyor‑belt unloaders that feed directly onto trucks or rail cars.
Rail access is limited; the **Portland‑Seattle rail corridor** terminates several miles inland, so most cargo relies on **trucking** via State Route 101 and Interstate 5. The port has invested in a **dedicated intermodal freight hub** with eight lift‑gates and RFID‑enabled trailer yards, improving turnaround times for time‑critical shipments.
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## Economic Importance
Port Angeles contributes an estimated **$1.3 billion** in annual economic activity to the regional economy, supporting **≈ 4,200 direct and indirect jobs**. The port’s **primary export commodities**—softwood lumber, plywood, and bulk aggregates—are sourced from the Olympic timber belt, representing the **largest single‑industry export** for the Peninsula. In 2023, **$620 million** of lumber shipments left the port, accounting for over **45 %** of all Washington‑state softwood exports that year.
Tourism and passenger ferries generate an additional **$380 million** in spend, with the ferry terminal acting as a conduit for **≈ 3 million** visitors annually who spend on lodging, recreation, and local services. The port’s **marina** sustains a vibrant marine‑recreation sector, attracting **≈ 150,000** transient vessels each year and contributing roughly **$85 million** in ancillary revenue.
The **fisheries sector**—though smaller than in nearby ports—still processes **≈ 5,000 t** of Pacific‑herring, salmon, and shellfish annually, supporting local processing plants and export to Asian markets. The presence of a **U.S. Coast Guard station** enhances maritime safety and secures a federal investment of **≈ $12 million** in infrastructure upgrades and training programs.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Export Routes
| Destination | Approx. Distance | Main Cargo |
|------------|------------------|-----------|
| **Seattle, WA** (Port of Seattle) | 130 nm | Lumber, aggregates, and intermodal containers. |
| **Vancouver, BC** (Port of Vancouver) | 260 nm | Softwood lumber, plywood, and bulk grain. |
| **Anchorage, AK** (Port of Anchorage) | 800 nm | Timber, construction materials, and bulk fuels. |
| **South Korea** (Busan) | 5,300 nm | Plywood sheets, lumber, and specialty wood products. |
| **Japan** (Yokohama) | 5,100 nm | Processed timber, plywood, and niche marine equipment. |
The port’s **short‑sea feeder services**—often operated by regional liner operators such as **Matson Navigation** and **Mitsui O.S.K. Lines**—provide weekly connections to Seattle and Vancouver, allowing consolidation of cargo onto larger trans‑Pacific vessels. These feeder routes are vital for maintaining competitive freight rates for low‑volume, high‑value timber products.
### Import Flows
Port Angeles imports primarily **construction aggregates, bulk chemicals (e.g., fertilizers), and consumer goods** destined for the growing retail market on the Olympic Peninsula. The **ferry terminal** also transports **vehicles and heavy equipment** from the San Juan Islands and Canadian ports, facilitating cross‑border trade in the Pacific Northwest.
### Emerging Cargo Trends
With the Pacific‑Northwest timber industry pivoting toward **cross‑laminated timber (CLT) and engineered wood products**, the port has begun to accommodate **pre‑fabricated CLT panels** destined for modular construction projects in Seattle and Portland. Additionally, the **green‑energy transition** has spurred interest in importing **lithium‑ion battery components** and **renewable‑energy turbine parts** via the port’s container facilities, marking a diversification beyond traditional bulk commodities.
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### References
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, *Port of Port Angeles Navigation Study* (2020).
- Washington State Department of Transportation, *Marine Ferry System Overview* (2023).
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*This article is intended for maritime professionals, logistics planners, and scholars seeking a concise yet thorough understanding of Port Angeles’ operational capabilities, historical development, and role within the broader Pacific‑Northwest trade network.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USCLM
Country
United States
Province / Region
Washington
Latitude
48.118146
Longitude
-123.430741
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Angeles?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Angeles is USCLM.
Where is Port of Port Angeles located?
The Port of Port Angeles is located in United States, Washington. Its coordinates are 48.1181°N, -123.4307°E.
What time zone is Port of Port Angeles in?
Port of Port Angeles operates in the America/Los_Angeles time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.2 m
Wave Direction270°
Swell Height0.12 m
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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.
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