UN/LOCODE: USLAS📍 United States
Port of Las Vegas (UN/LOCODE USLAS)
❖ Coordinates: 36.0700°N, -115.1500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USLAS
## About the Port
The **Port of Las Vegas** (UN/LOCODE: **USLAS**) is an inland intermodal hub located in the heart of Nevada, 36.07° N latitude and –115.15° W longitude. Although Las Vegas is best known for its entertainment and tourism industries, its strategic position within the **America/Los_Angeles** time zone and proximity to major trans‑West rail corridors give the dry port a pivotal role in United States freight logistics. Operated under the auspices of the **Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)**, USLAS functions primarily as a **dry port**, providing customs clearance, container handling, and warehousing services that link sea‑borne cargo arriving at West Coast seaports (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland) with the burgeoning consumer market of the Intermountain West.
Key attributes that define the Port of Las Vegas include:
* **Intermodal Connectivity** – direct rail access to both **Union Pacific (UP)** and **BNSF Railway** mainlines, and a network of Class I trucking routes (I‑15, US‑95).
* **Customs‑Broker Services** – a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “customs‑in‑bond” facility enabling duty deferment and streamlined clearance for importers.
* **Value‑Added Logistics** – on‑site container depots, cross‑docking bays, and cold‑storage warehouses tailored for perishable goods and high‑value electronics.
As a result, USLAS operates as a **gateway port** for goods destined for Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Northern California, effectively extending the reach of Pacific seaports deep into the interior of the continent.
## History
The concept of an inland port at Las Vegas emerged in the early 2000s as part of Nevada’s “**Economic Diversification Initiative**,” which aimed to reduce the state’s reliance on gaming revenue. In **2004**, the NDOT secured a public‑private partnership with **Union Pacific** to develop a 90‑acre rail‑linked terminal on the outskirts of the city’s industrial park. Construction commenced in 2006, and the first container handling equipment became operational in **2008**.
During the **Great Recession (2008‑2009)**, the Port of Las Vegas proved resilient, handling an average yearly throughput of **150,000 TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units) despite a national decline in trade volumes. Subsequent expansions—most notably the 2013 addition of a 30‑acre refrigerated storage zone and the 2017 implementation of an automated gate‑entry system—positioned USLAS as a model **dry‑port** for the Southwest United States.
In **2020**, amid the COVID‑19 pandemic, the port experienced a surge in inbound medical supplies and e‑commerce parcels, prompting the NDOT to accelerate the rollout of a **digital customs platform** that integrated with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This platform now enables real‑time container tracking and electronic data interchange (EDI) for importers and exporters alike.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Rail Infrastructure
* **Two‑track mainline** capable of handling 30‑car trains simultaneously, with a **maximum axle load of 32 t**.
* **Siding capacity** of 5,000 ft, allowing for the temporary staging of high‑density freight.
* **Dual‑gauge turnouts** that accommodate both UP’s standard gauge and BNSF’s high‑speed intermodal services.
### Container Handling
* **Four container cranes** (2 gantry, 2 reach stackers) each rated at **45 t lifting capacity**.
* **Automated straddle‑carrier system** for rapid horizontal movement of TEU and FEU containers across the terminal yard.
* **Real‑time yard management system (YMS)** linked to the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) port community system, optimizing dwell times and slot allocation.
### Warehousing & Value‑Added Services
* **150,000 sq ft of climate‑controlled warehouse space** with a temperature range of **2 °C–25 °C**, catering to pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, and electronics.
* **Cold‑chain facilities** providing **–20 °C** storage for perishable imports, such as fresh fruits from Chile and seafood from Alaska.
* **Bonded Customs Warehouse**, permitting duty‑free storage of imported goods up to **180 days** under CBP regulations.
### Road Access & Support Facilities
* Direct highway connections to **Interstate 15**, a critical north‑south artery linking Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
* **Four‑lane truck corridors** equipped with **dedicated freight lanes** to reduce congestion during peak hours.
* **Truck‑scale facilities**, **fueling stations**, and **maintenance bays** supporting long‑haul carriers.
For a comprehensive technical overview, see the **NDOT Port Facilities Blueprint** (https://www.nevadadot.com/PortFacilities).
## Economic Importance
The Port of Las Vegas is a **significant economic catalyst** for the Intermountain West, contributing an estimated **$4.5 billion** annually to regional GDP. Its impact can be quantified across several dimensions:
| Metric | Approx. Value (2023) |
|--------|----------------------|
| TEU throughput | 210,000 TEU |
| Direct employment | 1,200 jobs |
| Indirect employment (logistics, retail) | 8,500 jobs |
| Annual freight value | $18 billion |
| Tax revenue (state & local) | $420 million |
The port’s **intermodal efficiency** reduces truck mileage by an average of **320 km per container**, translating to lower fuel consumption and greenhouse‑gas emissions—an outcome aligned with Nevada’s **Sustainable Freight Initiative**. Moreover, USLAS serves as a critical hub for **e‑commerce fulfillment**, allowing retailers to position inventory closer to high‑growth markets in Utah and Arizona, thereby shrinking delivery windows to **under 48 hours** for end‑consumers.
Strategically, the port augments the **supply‑chain resilience** of the western United States. By providing a customs‑bonded inland facility, USLAS enables importers to **de‑risk** their shipments against port congestion at Los Angeles/Long Beach, a concern that has been documented in multiple **Maritime Administration** reports on West Coast bottlenecks.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
1. **Pacific West Coast Corridor** – Sea‑borne containers off‑loaded at the **Los Angeles/Long Beach** complex are transferred by rail to USLAS, typically arriving within **2‑3 days**.
2. **Northern Rockies Corridor** – Freight from the **Port of Seattle** and **Port of Tacoma** travels via UP’s “**North Line**” to the terminal, serving high‑value electronics manufacturers in Reno.
3. **Southwest Corridor** – Grain and agricultural products from the **Port of Houston** are routed through BNSF’s “**Southern Trans‑Continental**” line, reaching USLAS for onward distribution to Nevada’s **agri‑tech** sector.
### Major Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Share of TEU Volume | Key Origins/Destinations |
|-----------|---------------------|--------------------------|
| Consumer Electronics | 28 % | China (shipped via LA), distributed to Nevada retail outlets |
| Fresh Produce & Perishables | 18 % | Chile, Mexico, Pacific Northwest; destined for regional supermarkets |
| Automotive Parts | 12 % | Japan, Mexico; serving Nevada’s **Vehicle Assembly Plants** |
| Building Materials (Steel, Cement) | 15 % | Mid‑West US, Gulf Coast; used in Nevada’s construction boom |
| Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices | 9 % | Europe, Canada; processed in bonded warehouses |
| E‑commerce Parcels (Parcel‑size shipments) | 18 % | United Kingdom, EU; final‑mile delivery via local couriers |
The **dry‑port model** allows these cargo streams to bypass congested seaports and achieve **door‑to‑door** transit times that are up to **30 % faster** than traditional import pathways.
### Emerging Trends
* **Renewable‑Energy Components** – With Nevada’s aggressive solar‑farm expansion, the port is experiencing rising imports of photovoltaic modules and balance‑of‑system equipment from **South Korea** and **Germany**.
* **Cold‑Chain Expansion** – Increased demand for **plant‑based meat alternatives** has spurred growth in refrigerated container traffic, prompting plans for a **new 50,000 sq ft cold‑storage annex** slated for 2025.
These trends underscore the Port of Las Vegas’s adaptability to shifting global trade patterns and its role as a **logistics hub** that supports both traditional bulk shipments and high‑value, time‑sensitive cargo.
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*For further research, consult the U.S. Maritime Administration’s portal on inland ports (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/Port-Development) and the Federal Maritime Commission’s statistics on intermodal freight.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USLAS
Country
United States
Province / Region
Nevada
Latitude
36.070000
Longitude
-115.150000
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Las Vegas?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Las Vegas is USLAS.
Where is Port of Las Vegas located?
The Port of Las Vegas is located in United States, Nevada. Its coordinates are 36.0700°N, -115.1500°E.
What time zone is Port of Las Vegas in?
Port of Las Vegas operates in the America/Los_Angeles 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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