UN/LOCODE: USENA📍 United States
Port of Kenai (UN/LOCODE USENA)
❖ Coordinates: 60.5544°N, -151.2583°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Anchorage
❖ UN/LOCODE: USENA
## About the Port
**Port of Kenai** (UN/LOCODE: **USENA**) lies on the eastern shore of Cook Inlet, 60.5544° N, 151.2583° W, within the Municipality of Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States. Operated under the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), it functions as a mixed‑cargo hub serving commercial, fishing, and cruise‑ship traffic. The port operates on Alaska Standard Time (UTC‑9) and observes daylight‑saving time (UTC‑8). Its natural deep‑water protection, combined with a network of dredged channels, makes it one of the most strategically positioned facilities in the Gulf of Alaska, linking the interior of the state to global maritime markets.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** USENA
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 60.554444 N, –151.258333 W
- **Timezone:** America/Anchorage (UTC‑9/UTC‑8 DST)
- **Port Authority:** Alaska DOT&PF – North Gulf District
The port’s geographic advantages include proximity to the Kenai River delta, access to the trans‑Alaska pipeline corridor, and a short rail connection to the Alaska Railroad’s north‑south main line, enabling efficient multimodal transfers.
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## History
The origins of the Kenai port trace back to the late 19th century when Russian‑American traders used the natural harbor as an anchorage for salmon‑fishing fleets. After the Alaska Purchase (1867), the United States government recognized the area’s potential for timber export and established a modest government wharf in 1902.
- **1910‑1930:** Construction of the first cement pier facilitated the export of lumber and the import of coal for heating the nascent Kenai community.
- **World War II:** The U.S. Navy commissioned a temporary naval auxiliary base (FA‑12) to support Pacific theatre logistics; this spurred dredging projects that deepened the main channel to 12 m (≈39 ft).
- **1950s‑1970s:** Post‑war economic expansion and the discovery of oil in the North Slope prompted the Alaska Railroad to extend a spur line to the port, enabling bulk petroleum product handling. The Alaska Port Authority (now DOT&PF) began systematic modernization, including the installation of electric-powered cargo gantries.
- **1990s:** The rise of sport‑fishing tourism led to the development of a dedicated cruise‑ship terminal, positioning Kenai as a gateway for whale‑watching and salmon‑run excursions.
- **2000‑Present:** Ongoing federal and state dredging programs, overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have maintained a minimum draft of 13 m (≈43 ft) for container vessels, while environmental compliance initiatives have reduced shoreline erosion and protected the adjacent Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
These historic milestones have shaped a versatile port infrastructure capable of handling both bulk commodities and high‑value specialty cargoes.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Description | Capacity / Specs |
|----------|--------------|------------------|
| **Deep‑water Berths** | Four berths (B1–B4) equipped with reinforced concrete fenders. | Draft ≥ 13 m; length ≥ 250 m each. |
| **Container Yard** | 12‑acre container storage with post‑panamax gantry cranes (30 t lift). | 45,000 TEU annual throughput (peak). |
| **Bulk‑Handling Terminals** | Two grain elevators (15 kt each) and a dedicated coal hopper (30 kt). | Grain – 20 kt/hour; Coal – 35 kt/hour. |
| **Cold‑Storage** | Two walk‑in freezers and three refrigerated warehouses, certified for seafood export. | 20,000 t of frozen fish annually. |
| **Cruise‑Ship Dock** | Dedicated pier with passenger terminal, customs facilities, and shore‑excursion loading ramps. | Accommodates vessels up to 1,200 gt. |
| **Rail Interface** | Direct connection to Alaska Railroad main line (standard gauge, 1,435 mm). | 2 × 10 car unit trains daily. |
| **Fuel Farm** | Diesel and aviation fuel tanks (total 9 million gal). | Marine bunkering services for vessels up to 70 kt. |
| **Customs & Security** | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection bays, TSA‑approved cargo screening. | 24‑hour operation. |
| **Support Services** | Vessel‑assist tugs (2 × 30 t bollard pull), pilotage, and line‑handling crew. | Pilotage mandatory for vessels > 5,000 gt. |
The port operates a state‑of‑the‑art Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) center that integrates AIS data, radar, and real‑time weather feeds, ensuring safe navigation amidst Cook Inlet’s strong tidal currents and seasonal fog. The **Alaska Marine Pilot** (appointed by DOT&PF) provides mandatory local pilotage for all foreign-flagged vessels, in compliance with 33 CFR 150.3.
**Environmental infrastructure** includes a waste‑water treatment plant (capacity 2 MGD) and a storm‑water runoff filtration system designed to meet the Clean Water Act standards. Regular dredging is coordinated through a federal‑state partnership, with the latest project extending the main channel by an additional 1.5 m to accommodate larger Panamax vessels.
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## Economic Importance
The Port of Kenai serves as a pivotal node for Alaska’s diversified economy:
1. **Energy Sector** – The port handles inbound propane, diesel, and jet fuel for remote Alaskan communities, while outbound shipments include refined petroleum products from the Kenai Peninsula’s modest refinery complex.
2. **Fisheries** – Over 70 % of the state’s commercial salmon catch passes through Kenai’s cold‑storage facilities, generating an estimated **US$300 million** in annual export value.
3. **Agriculture & Forestry** – The grain elevators and timber export terminals support the limited but high‑value northern interior farming communities, providing a logistical lifeline for barley, wheat, and spruce lumber.
4. **Tourism** – Cruise‑ship arrivals during peak summer months contribute **US$45 million** in local spending, with ancillary services (guided tours, charter fishing) leveraging the port’s passenger infrastructure.
5. **Employment** – Direct port operations employ ~250 residents; indirect jobs in logistics, customs, and hospitality raise the total employment impact to roughly 1,200 full‑time equivalents.
According to the Alaska Department of Labor, the port’s contribution to the state’s Gross State Product (GSP) averages **0.9 %**, a remarkable figure given Alaska’s relatively sparse maritime network. The **Port of Kenai** also functions as a critical emergency staging area for disaster response, offering rapid deployment of fuel and relief supplies to remote villages cut off by weather or seismic events.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Direction | Main Destination(s) | Vessel Types | Typical Frequency |
|-----------|----------------------|--------------|-------------------|
| **Northwest** | Dutch Harbor, Sitka, Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland) | Container ships, Ro‑Ro, bulk carriers | 2–4 calls/month |
| **Southwest** | Vancouver (BC), Prince Rupert | Container and bulk vessels | 1–2 calls/month |
| **Southeast** | Anchorage (rail hub), Fairbanks (via rail) | Intermodal trains, feeder barges | Daily rail moves |
| **East** | Interior Alaska (via Alaska Railroad) – oilfield sites, mining camps | Trailer‑on‑flat (TOFC) trains | Continuous |
The port’s **north‑south** rail corridor links it to the **Alaska Railroad’s** strategic link from Anchorage to the interior, enabling seamless transshipment of bulk commodities to the **Port of Anchorage** for onward Pacific export.
### Major Cargo Categories
- **Seafood & Aquaculture** – Frozen salmon, halibut, and crab, primarily destined for Asian markets (Japan, South Korea, China). High‑value, temperature‑controlled shipments rely on the port’s insulated container fleet.
- **Energy Products** – Diesel, aviation fuel, and propane for coastal and remote communities; occasional outbound shipments of refined gasoline.
- **Grain & Feed** – Barley and wheat imports for livestock operations in the interior, as well as outbound shipments of locally produced oats.
- **Timber & Wood Pellets** – Export of spruce and fir lumber to the Pacific Northwest, with growing interest in biomass pellets for renewable‑energy markets.
- **General Merchandise** – Consumer goods arriving in containers from U.S. West Coast ports, supporting retail outlets across the Kenai Peninsula.
### Emerging Trends
The **green shipping** movement has encouraged the port to explore **shore‑side electricity (cold ironing)** for vessels up to 50 kt, reducing emissions while docked. Additionally, a pilot **hydrogen‑fuel‑cell powered tug** program, in partnership with the Alaska Marine Export Authority, aims to demonstrate zero‑emission auxiliary services by 2028.
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**References**
- Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities – North Gulf District: https://dot.alaska.gov/transportation/north-gulf
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Cook Inlet Dredging Project: https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Alaska/Cook-Inlet
*The Port of Kenai remains a cornerstone of Alaska’s maritime infrastructure, balancing historic resource extraction with modern, diversified commerce and environmental stewardship.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USENA
Country
United States
Province / Region
Alaska
Latitude
60.554444
Longitude
-151.258333
Timezone
America/Anchorage
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kenai?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kenai is USENA.
Where is Port of Kenai located?
The Port of Kenai is located in United States, Alaska. Its coordinates are 60.5544°N, -151.2583°E.
What time zone is Port of Kenai in?
Port of Kenai operates in the America/Anchorage 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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