UN/LOCODE: USMIA📍 United States
Port of Miami (UN/LOCODE USMIA)
❖ Coordinates: 25.7617°N, -80.1918°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USMIA
## About the Port
The **Port of Miami** (UN/LOCODE: USMIA) sits at 25.76168 ° N, 80.19179 ° W on the Atlantic coastline of Florida, operating under the **America/New_York** time zone. Managed by the Miami-Dade County Port Authority, the facility is a deep‑water, multi‑modal hub that accommodates container ships, cruise liners, bulk carriers, and specialized freight vessels. Its natural harbor, protected by a 70‑meter‑deep entrance channel and a turning basin that exceeds 300 m in diameter, enables simultaneous berthing of post‑Panamax and ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs). As one of the United States’ “gateway ports,” Miami serves as a logistical bridge between the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the broader Atlantic trade network.
## History
### Early Development (1820‑1900)
The site that would become the modern Port of Miami began as a modest trading post in the early 19th century, leveraging the shallow Biscayne Bay inlet for timber and agricultural exports. By the 1880s, a rudimentary dock system supported burgeoning cigar and sugar trades, prompting the first municipal efforts to dredge a navigable channel.
### 20th‑Century Expansion (1900‑1970)
The construction of the **Miami Harbor Navigation Improvement Project** in the 1930s, spearheaded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, deepened the access channel to 9 m and introduced the first mechanized gantry cranes. Post‑World War II growth was driven by the rise of Caribbean tourism and the Cold War‑era strategic importance of the Caribbean Basin, resulting in the 1968 inauguration of the first container terminal.
### Modern Era (1970‑Present)
The 1970s saw the creation of the **Miami Intermodal Terminal (MIT)**, integrating rail and trucking services. In the 1990s, the port underwent the **Deep Dredge Project**, extending the channel to 13 m to accommodate Panamax vessels. The early 2000s marked the launch of the **Cruise Terminal**, turning Miami into the “Cruise Capital of the World.” Recent investments, such as the **Port of Miami Expansion Project** (2020‑2024), have added a 15‑meter‑deep berth and state‑of‑the‑art automated container handling systems, positioning the port for the next generation of cargo ships.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quays
- **Container Quay**: 4 dedicated container berths (total length ≈ 2,100 m) equipped with super‑post‑Panamax cranes capable of 45 t lifts.
- **Cruise Terminal**: 2 berths (≈ 1,200 m) with a passenger processing capacity of 6 million per year, featuring customs and immigration facilities compliant with U.S. CBP standards.
- **Dry Bulk & General Cargo**: 3 berths (≈ 1,800 m) capable of handling grain, cement, and project cargo via ship‑to‑shore gantries and on‑dock cranes.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail**: Two Class I railroads (CSX and Florida East Coast Railway) provide direct access to the national freight network, with a 12‑track railyard supporting 350 car trains.
- **Road**: Direct connections to **I‑95**, the **Florida Turnpike**, and **U.S. 1**, delivering a combined capacity of 65,000 TEU per day via truck.
- **Air**: Proximity to **Miami International Airport (MIA)** enables expedited air‑cargo services for high‑value or time‑critical goods.
### Technology & Sustainability
- **Port Community System (PCS)**: A digital platform that integrates vessel scheduling, customs clearance, and yard management, reducing turnaround time by up to 15 %.
- **Green Initiatives**: Shore‑power installations serve 90 % of docked vessels, cutting emissions by an estimated 1.5 Mt CO₂ yr⁻¹. The port also participates in the **EPA’s Clean Water Program**, monitoring ballast‑water discharge and adopting best‑practice anti‑invasive species protocols.
For detailed technical specifications, see the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dredging Report** (https://www.mhc.usace.army.mil/).
## Economic Importance
### Cargo Throughput
In 2023, the Port of Miami handled **2.9 million TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units), ranking it among the top 15 U.S. container ports. Combined imports and exports of bulk commodities—primarily sugar, citrus, and construction materials—totaled **30 million tons**, supporting a regional GDP contribution of approximately **$30 billion**.
### Cruise Industry
The port accommodated **5.6 million cruise passengers** in 2023, generating an estimated **$5 billion** in ancillary tourism revenue. The **Cruise Terminal Expansion** project, slated for completion in 2025, will increase berth capacity by 25 % and is expected to sustain double‑digit growth through 2030.
### Employment & Trade Facilitation
Port operations directly sustain **19,000 jobs**, with indirect employment rising to **75,000** across logistics, warehousing, and hospitality sectors. The **Port of Miami Authority (PMA)** maintains a **single‑window customs system**, expediting clearance times and reinforcing the port’s role as a preferred entry point for trade between the United States and Latin America.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Transatlantic & Caribbean Corridors
The port’s strategic position enables efficient service to **Northern Europe (Rotterdam, Antwerp)** and **Western Africa**, with weekly liner services operated by Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM. Primary export commodities include **machinery, automotive parts, and agricultural products**, while imports consist of **electronics, chemicals, and finished consumer goods**.
### Pan‑American Links
Miami serves as a key hub for the **CARIFORUM** and **Central American** trade blocs. Direct container routes connect to **Panama Canal ports (Balboa, Cristóbal)**, facilitating a north‑south flow of **petroleum, refined fuels, and petrochemicals**. The **Miami Intermodal Terminal** supports “on‑shore” transshipment, allowing cargo destined for inland U.S. markets to bypass congested Gulf ports.
### Specialized Cargo
- **Perishables**: State‑of‑the‑art refrigerated warehouses handle a daily throughput of 12,000 LT of fruits, vegetables, and seafood, maintaining cold‑chain integrity.
- **Project Cargo**: The port’s heavy‑lift capability (up to 250 t) accommodates wind‑turbine components, oil‑field equipment, and large‑scale infrastructure modules.
- **Automotive**: Dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) facilities process up to 45,000 vehicles per year, linking U.S. assembly plants with Latin American distributors.
For additional trade statistics, consult the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport** (https://unctad.org/publications/review-of-maritime-transport).
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*The Port of Miami—leveraging deep‑water access, integrated multimodal infrastructure, and a robust digital ecosystem—continues to solidify its status as a vital conduit for global commerce and cruise tourism in the Western Hemisphere.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USMIA
Country
United States
Province / Region
Florida
Latitude
25.761680
Longitude
-80.191790
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Miami?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Miami is USMIA.
Where is Port of Miami located?
The Port of Miami is located in United States, Florida. Its coordinates are 25.7617°N, -80.1918°E.
What time zone is Port of Miami in?
Port of Miami 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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