UN/LOCODE: USLRD📍 United States
Port of Laredo (UN/LOCODE USLRD)
❖ Coordinates: 27.5000°N, -99.4800°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USLRD
## About the Port
The **Port of Laredo (UN/LOCODE: USLRD)** is the United States’ largest inland port and the principal gateway for cross‑border trade between the United States and México. Located at the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Tex‑Mex border, the port sits at 27.5° N latitude and 99.48° W longitude within the Central Time Zone (America/Chicago). Though not a seaport, Laredo functions as a multimodal logistics hub, integrating rail, road, and riverine transport to move an estimated **$100 billion** of goods annually. Its strategic position—approximately 250 mi (400 km) from the Gulf of Mexico and 750 mi (1,200 km) from the Pacific coast—makes it a critical node in North American supply chains.
Key identifiers:
* **Country:** United States
* **State:** Texas
* **Port Authority:** Laredo International Trade Bridge Authority (LITBA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
* **Primary Modes:** Freight rail (Union Pacific, BNSF), interstate highways (I‑35, I‑35E, I‑35W), and a limited barge‑river interface
The port’s designation as a **“Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #155”** enables importers to defer, reduce, or eliminate duties on inbound cargo, amplifying its attractiveness to manufacturers, distributors, and e‑commerce operators.
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## History
### Early Foundations (19th Century)
Founded in 1755 as a Spanish colonial outpost, Laredo’s settlement grew alongside the Rio Grande, serving as a modest river crossing for cattle drives and agricultural products. The 1848 **Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo** formalized the border, turning Laredo into a customs point for the United States.
### Rail Era and Industrial Expansion (Late 1800s – 1970s)
The arrival of the **International–Great Northern Railroad** in 1881 linked Laredo to the broader U.S. rail network, catalyzing grain, livestock, and later, petroleum shipments. During the mid‑20th century, the establishment of the **Laredo Port of Entry** (1960) and the construction of the first international bridge (the **World Trade Bridge**, 1976) shifted the focus from river to road and rail, laying groundwork for modern intermodal operations.
### Modernization and FTZ Designation (1990s – Present)
In the early 1990s, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) triggered exponential growth in bilateral trade, prompting the Texas Legislature to create the **Laredo International Trade Bridge Authority (LITBA)**. The port received FTZ status in 1991, and subsequent expansions—most notably the **World Trade International Bridge (2000)** and the **Laredo‑Colombia Solidarity Bridge (2022)**—have sustained double‑digit cargo volume increases. Today, the port’s governance blends public‑private partnerships, enabling rapid infrastructure upgrades aligned with evolving logistics demands.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Rail Infrastructure
* **Railroads Served:** Union Pacific (UP) and BNSF Railway operate dedicated classification yards in Laredo, offering over **140 mi of track** and **30+ interchange tracks**.
* **Capacity:** The yards handle an average of **450,000 TEUs** (twenty‑foot equivalent units) per year, with peak daily throughput of **10,000 railcars**.
### Highway Network
* **Interstate Access:** I‑35 (the “NAFTA Corridor”) is the primary artery, providing a direct link to Dallas–Fort Worth (≈130 mi north) and the Gulf Coast (≈250 mi southeast). Auxiliary routes I‑35E and I‑35W facilitate freight dispersal across the Texas interior.
* **Truck Facilities:** Five dedicated “truck‑to‑bridge” lanes, each equipped with automated weigh‑in‑motion (AWIM) systems, support continuous flow of over **400,000 trucks** annually.
### Customs & Inspection
* **U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Facilities:** A 24‑hour CBP inspection complex houses the **Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)** and **ACE‑Secure** systems, enabling pre‑clearance and risk‑based inspections.
* **Technology Stack:** RFID‑enabled cargo tracking, X‑ray scanning, and optical character recognition (OCR) reduce average dwell time from 48 hours (pre‑2000) to under **12 hours**.
### Ancillary Services
* **Warehousing:** Over **15 million sq ft** of bonded and non‑bonded warehouse space, with temperature‑controlled units for perishables and high‑value goods.
* **Cold‑Chain Facilities:** Two USDA‑certified cold‑storage complexes serve the horticulture and meat‑packing sectors, critical for fresh produce transiting between México and U.S. markets.
* **Intermodal Container Depots (ICDs):** Three ICDs provide on‑site loading, unloading, and cross‑docking capabilities, supporting “just‑in‑time” supply‑chain models.
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## Economic Importance
### Trade Volume & Value
The Port of Laredo processes **≈3.6 million inbound trucks** and **≈2.1 million outbound trucks** each year, representing roughly **45 %** of all U.S.–México trade by value. In fiscal year 2023, the port logged **$101 billion** in cargo worth, with a **15 %** year‑over‑year growth rate driven by automotive parts, electronics, and agricultural commodities.
### Employment & Fiscal Impact
* **Direct Jobs:** Approximately **12,000** positions in customs brokerage, rail operations, trucking, and warehousing.
* **Indirect Jobs:** An estimated **35,000** additional roles in logistics support services, retail, and hospitality within Laredo and surrounding Webb County.
* **Tax Revenue:** The port contributes over **$500 million** in state and local tax receipts annually, a critical component of the region’s fiscal stability.
### Strategic Role in Supply Chains
Because Laredo sits at the nexus of **NAFTA/USMCA** trade routes, it serves as the primary conduit for **automotive assembly parts** (e.g., GM, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler components) moving between Mexican factories and U.S. assembly plants. The port also underpins the **cold‑chain logistics** for fresh produce—especially berries, avocados, and tomatoes—originating from Mexican growing regions and destined for U.S. grocery chains.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Corridor | Destination | Mode | Approx. Transit Time |
|----------|-------------|------|----------------------|
| I‑35 (NAFTA Corridor) | Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | Truck/Rail | 5–7 hrs (truck) |
| I‑35E | Houston, TX (via US‑59) | Truck | 8–10 hrs |
| I‑35W | El Paso, TX (via US‑84) | Truck | 12–14 hrs |
| Union Pacific & BNSF | Gulf of Mexico ports (Houston, Corpus Christi) | Rail | 2–3 days |
| Union Pacific | Pacific Coast ports (Los Angeles, Long Beach) | Rail | 4–5 days |
### Top Commodities
1. **Automotive & Parts** – Engine blocks, transmissions, electronic modules, and tires constitute the highest value cargo, leveraging Laredo’s FTZ benefits for duty deferral.
2. **Agricultural Products** – Fresh produce (berries, peppers), nuts, and grains use the port’s cold‑chain facilities to maintain quality across the border.
3. **Petroleum & Petrochemicals** – Refined fuels, lubricants, and specialty chemicals transit via rail to support Texas’s energy sector.
4. **Consumer Goods** – Electronics, apparel, and household items flow in bulk, taking advantage of Laredo’s “truck‑to‑bridge” efficiency.
5. **Construction Materials** – Cement, steel, and lumber support the fast‑growing housing market in South Texas and Northern México.
### Emerging Trends
* **E‑commerce Fulfillment:** The rise of cross‑border online retail has stimulated demand for rapid parcel processing, prompting the establishment of micro‑fulfillment centers within the port’s ICDs.
* **Sustainable Logistics:** Laredo is piloting **electrified truck lanes** and **green rail initiatives**, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 20 % by 2030.
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### Further Reading
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Border Crossing Data↗
* Texas Department of Transportation – Port of Laredo Infrastructure Projects↗
*The Port of Laredo continues to evolve as a cornerstone of North American trade, coupling historic cross‑border relevance with cutting‑edge intermodal technology. Its robust infrastructure, strategic location, and FTZ advantages ensure that it remains indispensable to both regional economies and global supply chains.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USLRD
Country
United States
Province / Region
Texas
Latitude
27.500000
Longitude
-99.480000
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Laredo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Laredo is USLRD.
Where is Port of Laredo located?
The Port of Laredo is located in United States, Texas. Its coordinates are 27.5000°N, -99.4800°E.
What time zone is Port of Laredo in?
Port of Laredo operates in the America/Chicago 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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