UN/LOCODE: USLAX📍 United States
Port of Los Angeles (UN/LOCODE USLAX)
❖ Coordinates: 34.0522°N, -118.2437°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USLAX
## About the Port
Located at 34.0522342 °N, ‑118.2436849 °W on the Pacific rim of Southern California, **Port of Los Angeles (UN/LOCODE: USLAX)** is the United States’ premier container gateway and the cornerstone of West Coast maritime logistics. Operated by the Port of Los Angeles Authority, the facility sits within the Los Angeles‑Long Beach seaport complex, the world’s largest contiguous deep‑water port. The port’s jurisdiction covers approximately 7,500 acres of waterfront, encompassing the historic San Pedro Bay, the adjacent San Pedro and Wilmington terminals, and a network of intermodal rail yards.
Operating under the **America/Los_Angeles (UTC‑08:00)** time zone, the port functions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, leveraging a **berth depth of 53 feet (16 m)** to accommodate ultra‑large container ships (ULCS) and a **draft‑controlled channel** that is regularly dredged to 50 feet. The port is a critical node for the **North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)** corridor, linking Asian manufacturers with inland U.S. markets via an integrated rail‑truck‑pipeline system.
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## History
The modern Port of Los Angeles traces its origins to **1907**, when the Los Angeles Harbor Commission was created to develop a deep‑water port to rival the congested Los Angeles River. The opening of the **San Pedro Harbor** in 1911 marked the first major milestone, establishing a rail‑linked terminal that could handle bulk cargoes such as oil and grain.
During World II, the port was militarized as a key embarkation point for the Pacific theater, prompting extensive upgrades to slipways and pier strength. Post‑war economic expansion spurred the **construction of the Container Terminal (CT) in the 1960s**, which introduced standardized containers and automated gantry cranes, positioning Los Angeles at the forefront of global containerization.
The 1990s saw a dramatic surge in trans‑Pacific trade, leading to the **1994 Los Angeles‑Long Beach Harbor Expansion Program**. This initiative added 13 new berths, deepened the main channel, and introduced the **Pier 200 and Pier 400** mega‑terminals. The port’s governance shifted in 2002 to the autonomous **Port of Los Angeles Authority**, granting it greater operational flexibility and enabling a series of sustainability programs, including the **Clean Air Action Plan** that reduced diesel emissions by more than 40 % by 2020.
In recent years, the port has embraced **digital transformation**, deploying the Port Optimizer platform (a cloud‑based real‑time visibility system) and establishing a **Port Community System (PCS)** that integrates customs, shipping lines, and terminal operators. These advances have cemented Los Angeles’ reputation as a “smart port” and paved the way for next‑generation projects such as **Automation 4.0** and **green hydrogen import terminals**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Key Specifications | Primary Users |
|----------|--------------------|----------------|
| **Container Terminals (CT1, CT2, CT3)** | 13 berths; 53 ft draft; 1,200 m quay length; 13 quay cranes (45 m outreach) | Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag‑Lloyd |
| **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (RoRo) Berths** | 5 dedicated lanes; 250 ft vessel length; 150 ft beam | Automobile manufacturers (Toyota, Nissan) |
| **Bulk & Project Cargo Docks** | 2 deep‑water berths; 38 ft draft; heavy‑lift cranes (150 t) | Steel, timber, construction materials |
| **Intermodal Rail Yard** | 16 mi of track; 30 % of national rail capacity; direct service to BNSF & UP | Freight rail operators, intermodal drayage |
| **Cold‑Storage & Reefer Facilities** | 3.5 million ft² refrigerated space; 20 % of U.S. reefer capacity | Fresh produce, pharmaceuticals |
| **Terminal Automation** | Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Remote‑Operated Cranes, AI‑driven stowage planning | Terminal operators, logistics providers |
The port’s **deep‑draft navigation channel** is maintained at **50 feet** through a **continuous dredging program**, ensuring compliance with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 sulfur cap** and providing clearance for the latest generation of **40‑foot‑wide, 24‑container‑high** vessels.
On‑site **customs facilities** include a fully automated **Automated Manifest System (AMS)** and a **single‑window electronic data interchange (EDI)** that streamlines entry procedures for importers and exporters. The port also operates a **State‑of‑the‑Art Marine Pollution Control Center**, equipped with oil spill response vessels, containment booms, and real‑time satellite monitoring.
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## Economic Importance
The Port of Los Angeles accounts for roughly **20 % of all U.S. containerized imports**, translating into an annual throughput of **over 9 million TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units). In 2023, the terminal generated **$250 billion** in economic activity, supporting **1.6 million jobs** across logistics, manufacturing, and ancillary services.
Key economic indicators:
- **Trade Value:** $1.2 trillion in cargo value (2023) – the largest single‑port contribution to the U.S. balance of trade.
- **Employment:** Direct terminal employment of ~45,000 workers; indirect employment exceeds 1.5 million, spanning trucking, warehousing, and customs brokerage.
- **Tax Revenue:** Generates more than **$9 billion** in federal, state, and local taxes annually, underpinning critical public infrastructure in the Greater Los Angeles region.
The port’s strategic location enables swift access to the **Interstate 5, 405, and 710 corridors**, linking it to the **Midwest grain belt**, the **Great Plains manufacturing hub**, and the **East Coast via the BNSF and Union Pacific rail networks**. This connectivity fuels the **“just‑in‑time”** supply chain model embraced by U.S. retailers, automotive assemblers, and high‑tech manufacturers.
Environmental stewardship is now a core component of the port’s economic model. The **Clean Air Action Plan** and **Zero‑Emission Goals (2025‑2035)** have attracted green‑technology investors and reduced operational costs by cutting fuel consumption and congestion-related delays.
For a deeper look at the port’s economic data, consult the **Port of Los Angeles Annual Report** (https://www.portoflosangeles.org/annual-report) and the **U.S. Maritime Administration statistics** (https://www.maritime.dot.gov).
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Direction | Key Partner Ports | Approx. Transit Time |
|-----------|-------------------|----------------------|
| **Asia ↔ West Coast** | Shanghai (CNS), Busan (KOR), Singapore, Hong Kong, Yokohama (JPN) | 12‑18 days |
| **Trans‑Pacific** | Panama Canal (via Colón) | 22‑28 days |
| **Inland U.S.** | Chicago (via BNSF/UP), Dallas/Fort Worth (via Union Pacific) | 5‑7 days rail |
| **South America** | Santos (BRA), Valparaiso (CHL) | 25‑30 days |
| **Europe (via Panama)** | Rotterdam (NL), Hamburg (DE) | 30‑35 days |
The port’s **Pacific trade lane** dominates cargo volumes, handling **≈ 70 %** of inbound containers, primarily from **East and Southeast Asian manufacturers**. The **Panama Canal expansion (2016)** opened a secondary route for **Latin American and European cargoes**, diversifying the port’s inbound mix.
### Dominant Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Share of TEU | Notable Commodities |
|-----------|--------------|---------------------|
| **Consumer Electronics** | 25 % | Smartphones, laptops, televisions |
| **Automobiles & Parts** | 15 % | Finished vehicles, engines, safety systems |
| **Apparel & Textiles** | 12 % | Fast‑fashion garments, footwear |
| **Food & Fresh Produce** | 8 % | Avocados, berries, seafood |
| **Industrial Machinery** | 7 % | Construction equipment, HVAC units |
| **Chemicals & Plastics** | 6 % | Petrochemical feedstocks, polymers |
| **Bulk & Project Cargo** | 5 % | Steel coils, timber, oversized machinery |
| **Reefer Cargo** | 2 % | Perishable goods requiring temperature control |
The **automotive sector** leverages the port’s **RoRo terminals** for “drive‑through” loading, enabling a **turnaround time of under 24 hours** for a full container ship load. Meanwhile, the **reefer capacity** — the largest in the United States — sustains a year‑round supply chain for perishable goods destined for the U.S. West Coast and inland distribution centers.
The port’s **intermodal hub** supports **“last‑mile” drayage**, with over **70 %** of containerized cargo transferred to rail within 24 hours of arrival, bolstering the **Southwest Corridor** (Los Angeles → Chicago) that moves goods efficiently to the nation’s central markets.
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**In summary**, the Port of Los Angeles (USLAX) stands as a globally recognized maritime gateway, distinguished by its deep‑water infrastructure, robust intermodal connectivity, and pivotal role in U.S. trade. Its continual investment in automation, sustainability, and digital platforms ensures that it remains resilient amid evolving supply‑chain dynamics and environmental imperatives.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USLAX
Country
United States
Province / Region
California
Latitude
34.052234
Longitude
-118.243685
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Los Angeles?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Los Angeles is USLAX.
Where is Port of Los Angeles located?
The Port of Los Angeles is located in United States, California. Its coordinates are 34.0522°N, -118.2437°E.
What time zone is Port of Los Angeles in?
Port of Los Angeles 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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