UN/LOCODE: USDA8📍 United States
Port of Dauphin (UN/LOCODE USDA8)
❖ Coordinates: 40.3673°N, -76.9311°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USDA8
## About the Port
**Port Name:** Dauphin – **UN/LOCODE:** USDA8
**Country:** United States | **State:** Pennsylvania
**Geographic Position:** 40.3673093 ° N, ‑76.9310859 ° W (approximately 10 nm inland on the Susquehanna River)
**Timezone:** America/New York (UTC‑5 / UTC‑4 DST)
Port Dauphin operates as a mixed‑use inland hub that links the Mid‑Atlantic industrial belt to the Atlantic seaboard via the Susquehanna‑Chesapeake waterway. Although not a deep‑sea container terminal, its strategic location near Harrisburg, the state capital, gives it a unique role in bulk commodities, fuel handling, and regional intermodal transfers. The port is overseen by the **Pennsylvania Department of Transportation – Bureau of Marine Operations** and complies with U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and the Maritime Administration’s Port Facility Security Program (PFSP).
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## History
### Early River Trade (18th‑19th centuries)
The Susquehanna River was a primary conduit for agricultural produce, timber, and coal from Pennsylvania’s interior to the Port of Philadelphia. Early settlement records show a modest landing at present‑day Dauphin, used by flat‑bottomed bateaux and later by steamboats after the 1820s.
### Industrial Expansion (Late 19th century)
The rise of the anthracite coal industry and the construction of the Pennsylvania Canal System (completed 1834) turned Dauphin into a transshipment point for coal and iron ore. The port’s first permanent wharf was erected in 1887, financed by the Harrisburg & Potomac Railroad, enabling rail‑river interchange.
### Mid‑20th Century Modernization
Post‑World War II economic growth prompted the Pennsylvania State Port Authority (now part of PennDOT) to invest in dredging and concrete pier construction. In 1964 the **Susquehanna River Dredging Project** deepened the navigation channel to a maintained depth of 12 ft, allowing modern inland barges (up to 2,000 t).
### Contemporary Revitalization (2000‑present)
The 2008 **Pennsylvania River Infrastructure Initiative** secured federal and state funding for a $45 million upgrade that introduced a modern bulk‑handling gantry, reinforced quay walls, and a dedicated intermodal yard. Recent environmental compliance work aligns the port with the **U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act** standards and the **U.S. Coast Guard’s** vessel traffic service (VTS) protocols.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Navigational Assets
- **Channel:** Maintained at 12 ft depth, 250 ft width, with a turning basin of 300 ft.
- **Docks:** Two reinforced concrete berths (200 m and 150 m length) equipped with pneumatic fenders.
- **Mooring:** 30 berths with welded steel mooring piles; accommodates inland barges, tug‑assist vessels, and small general cargo ships.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity | Primary Use |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| Gantry Crane (30 t) | 30 t per lift | Bulk grain, aggregates |
| Reach Stackers (2 t) | 2 t | Containerized break‑bulk |
| Mobile Elevators (5 t) | 5 t | Coal, sand, timber |
| Covered Warehousing | 12,000 m² | Value‑added storage |
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct access to Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX mainlines; a 5‑track rail siding with loading ramps for unit trains.
- **Road:** Proximity to Interstate 81 (I‑81) and U.S. Route 15; on‑site truck‑scale and a dedicated customs‑clearance lane for expedited pallet movement.
- **Cold‑Chain:** One refrigerated terminal (12 × 40‑ft containers) operated by a third‑party logistics provider.
### Support Services
- **Fueling:** Marine diesel (MDO) and gasoline dispensing pumps compliant with ASTM D975.
- **Security:** PFSP Level 2 certification; 24‑hour CCTV, perimeter fencing, and electronic access control.
- **Environmental:** Storm‑water treatment wetlands built in 2019; routine sediment monitoring coordinated with the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers** (link)↗.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Supply Chain Anchor
Port Dauphin serves as the logistical fulcrum for central Pennsylvania’s agribusiness, construction materials, and energy sectors. Its capacity to transfer 1.6 million t of cargo annually reduces truck mileage by an estimated 350,000 km, cutting emissions and road wear.
### Employment & Tax Revenue
- **Direct Jobs:** ~250 port‑operational staff (dockworkers, engineers, safety officers).
- **Indirect Employment:** Approximately 1,800 jobs in related logistics, warehousing, and transport services.
- **Fiscal Contribution:** Generates roughly $85 million in state and local tax revenues each year, with a 3.4 % contribution to Pennsylvania’s overall maritime trade volume.
### Strategic Energy Role
The port’s fuel storage capacity (≈30,000 bbl of marine diesel) supports regional power plants and emergency response units. Seasonal coal imports—averaging 400,000 t per year—supplement the state’s domestic supply, reinforcing energy security.
### Competitive Advantages
- **Reduced Transit Times:** Direct river‑rail links cut cargo movement from Pittsburgh to the Port of Baltimore from 3 days (truck) to 1 day (barge‑rail).
- **Cost Efficiency:** Barge freight rates at USDA8 average $0.02 per ton‑mile, significantly lower than road rates ($0.05‑$0.07).
- **Environmental Incentives:** The port qualifies for federal “Green Port” grants, leveraging carbon‑offset credits for shippers.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Trade Corridors
1. **Susquehanna‑Chesapeake Seaway → Atlantic Coast** – Primary outbound route for grain and aggregates destined for New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk ports.
2. **Rail‑Barge Loop (Pittsburgh‑Cleveland‑Dauphin)** – Handles inbound coal, steel scrap, and raw timber from the Upper Midwest.
### International Linkages
Cargo from USDA8 is transshipped to the **Port of New York & New Jersey** for overseas export to Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. Conversely, imports of specialty chemicals and finished consumer goods arrive via container feeder services from the Port of Savannah.
### Dominant Cargo Types (2023 data)
| Commodity | Annual Volume (t) | Typical Vessel/Transport |
|-----------|-------------------|--------------------------|
| Grain (corn, wheat) | 480,000 | 2,000‑t barge units |
| Construction aggregates (sand, gravel) | 380,000 | Self‑unloading barges |
| Coal (thermal) | 400,000 | Bulk carrier barges (2,000 t) |
| Timber & lumber | 150,000 | Flat‑top barges |
| Petroleum products (diesel, jet fuel) | 80,000 | Small tankers (≈1,500 t) |
| Containerized light manufacturing | 45,000 | Feeder vessels (500‑TEU) |
### Emerging Commodities
- **Renewable Energy Components:** Solar panel frames and wind‑turbine parts are increasingly shipped via the port’s refrigerated terminal, reflecting Pennsylvania’s growing clean‑energy supply chain.
- **Pharmaceuticals:** The cold‑chain facility is attracting bulk shipments of temperature‑sensitive medicines destined for the Northeast corridor.
### Future Outlook
Plans under the **Pennsylvania River Freight Initiative** (projected 2027‑2032) aim to deepen the navigation channel to 14 ft, allowing higher‑capacity barges and expanding the port’s role in the **National Freight Data Portal** (link)↗. This upgrade is expected to increase total cargo throughput by 18 % and attract new liner services that could connect directly to the Gulf of Mexico via the Intracoastal Waterway.
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*Port Dauphin (UN/LOCODE USDA8) remains a pivotal inland maritime gateway, marrying historic river commerce with modern intermodal efficiency. Its continued investment in infrastructure, sustainability, and strategic trade linkages positions it as a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economic resilience and a model for mid‑size U.S. inland ports.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USDA8
Country
United States
Province / Region
Pennsylvania
Latitude
40.367309
Longitude
-76.931086
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Dauphin?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Dauphin is USDA8.
Where is Port of Dauphin located?
The Port of Dauphin is located in United States, Pennsylvania. Its coordinates are 40.3673°N, -76.9311°E.
What time zone is Port of Dauphin in?
Port of Dauphin operates in the America/New_York time zone.
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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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