UN/LOCODE: USMKE📍 United States
Port of Milwaukee (UN/LOCODE USMKE)
❖ Coordinates: 43.0389°N, -87.9065°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USMKE
## About the Port
The **Port of Milwaukee** (UN/LOCODE: **USMKE**) is the principal Great Lakes container terminal in Wisconsin and one of the most strategically positioned inland ports on the U.S. Gulf‑to‑Midwest corridor. Situated on the western shore of **Lake Michigan** at **43.0389025 ° N, -87.9064736 ° W**, the port lies within the Central Time Zone (America/Chicago) and serves the metropolitan area of Milwaukee, the state’s largest city. Operated by the **Milwaukee Port Authority (MPA)**, the facility is a key intermodal hub connecting maritime, rail, and highway networks that feed the Upper Midwest, the Great Lakes hinterland, and trans‑Continental supply chains.
The port’s jurisdiction encompasses approximately **1,000 acres** of waterfront, with dedicated berths for containerized cargo, bulk commodities, break‑bulk, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) vessels. Its deep‑water channel, maintained at a **draft of 12 meters (≈39 feet)**, enables 9,000‑ton class lake freighters to transit year‑round, while a series of modern gantry and mobile cranes provide a combined **30‑hour turnaround** for a standard 1,200‑TEU container vessel. The Milwaukee port’s proximity to **Interstate 43, 94, and 35**, plus the **Canadian Pacific (CP) and Union Pacific (UP)** rail lines, creates a seamless multimodal logistics chain that reduces drayage costs and accelerates cargo flow to regional manufacturers, agricultural processors, and distribution centers.
> **Key Metrics (2023)**
> - **Annual cargo throughput:** ~ 4.1 million metric tons
> - **Container volume:** ~ 165,000 TEU
> - **Foreign trade balance:** ~ + $1.2 billion (exports vs. imports)
For the latest operational statistics and port master plans, see the **Milwaukee Port Authority’s official site**.[^1]
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## History
The origins of the Milwaukee port trace back to the early 19th century when Milwaukee’s natural harbor facilitated the lumber and wheat trade that fueled Wisconsin’s settlement. In **1848**, the city’s first wharf was constructed to service schooners loading grain onto Great Lakes routes. The arrival of the **Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad (CMStP)** in 1864 transformed Milwaukee into a trans‑Lake rail nexus, prompting a series of land‑ reclamation and breakwater projects engineered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
During the **Industrial Revolution (1880‑1920)**, the port expanded to accommodate steel, coal, and iron ore shipments, underpinning the region’s burgeoning manufacturing base. World War II accelerated dock upgrades, with the construction of reinforced concrete berths and the installation of the first diesel‑powered crane fleet to support wartime logistics.
Post‑war, the port entered a period of modernization driven by containerization. In **1972**, the **Milwaukee Terminal Facility** was inaugurated, featuring a **25‑meter deep channel**—a benchmark that set the standard for modern Great Lakes ports. The 1990s saw the port’s integration into the **North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)** framework, expanding its role in cross‑border trade with Canada and Mexico.
The most recent milestone occurred in **2019**, when the MPA completed the **Lakefront Revitalization Project**, adding a **state‑of‑the‑art container terminal** with 12 specialized gantry cranes and advanced **Terminal Operating System (TOS)** software. This investment positioned Milwaukee as a competitive alternative to larger ports on the Great Lakes, such as Chicago and Detroit, particularly for high‑value, time‑sensitive cargo.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Maritime Assets
| Asset | Description | Capacity |
|-------|-------------|----------|
| **Deep‑water berth 1‑4** | Reinforced concrete berths, 40 m length, draft 12 m | Up to 9,000 t lake freighter |
| **Container terminal** | 12‑acre zone with 4 ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (45 m outreach) | 30 TEU/hr loading rate |
| **Ro‑Ro dock** | Adjustable ramps for trailers, vehicles, and heavy equipment | 2,500 t per vessel |
| **Bulk handling piers** | Belt conveyors, grain elevators, and coal loaders | 3 Mt/yr combined |
The **Port of Milwaukee’s navigation channel** is maintained by periodic dredging to ensure the 12‑meter (≈39 ft) depth, complying with the **U.S. Coast Guard’s Great Lakes Vessel Safety Regulations**. The port also provides **on‑site pilotage**, **tug‑assist services**, and a **24‑hour Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)** that coordinates traffic through the congested Milwaukee Harbor and the surrounding Lake Michigan shipping lanes.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct access to CP and UP mainlines, with **four on‑terminal tracks** capable of handling 115‑car unit trains. The port’s rail yard includes automated switch yards and a **double‑stack container facility** that can accommodate 9‑foot high‑cube containers.
- **Truck:** **15 gated truck bays** equipped with **real‑time weigh‑in‑motion (WIM)** scales and **automated gate systems** that integrate with the TOS for efficient drayage.
- **Warehousing:** A **13‑acre bonded warehouse complex** offers climate‑controlled storage, customs clearance, and value‑added services such as palletizing, labeling, and light manufacturing.
### Support Services
- **Customs and Border Protection (CBP):** 24‑hour customs inspections, free‑trade‑zone (FTZ) capabilities, and Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) integration.
- **Environmental Management:** The port operates a **stormwater treatment facility** and complies with the **Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement**, ensuring low‑impact operations for the lake ecosystem.
- **Security:** Certified under the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, the port utilizes CCTV, perimeter fencing, and access control systems coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) **Customs‑Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C‑TPAT)** program.
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## Economic Importance
The Port of Milwaukee is a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s economy, directly supporting **over 45,000 jobs** and generating an estimated **$6.8 billion** in annual economic activity. Its strategic position on Lake Michigan enables the movement of goods at **lower freight rates** compared to coastal ports, translating into cost savings for manufacturers in the Midwest automotive, food‑processing, and chemical sectors.
### Export Strength
- **Agricultural products:** The port ships **corn, soybeans, and wheat** from the Upper Midwest to Asian and European markets via intermodal routes that connect to the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
- **Manufactured goods:** **Automotive components, machinery, and steel** are among the top export commodities, leveraging the port’s proximity to major OEMs in Michigan and Indiana.
- **Specialty chemicals:** The port’s bulk facilities handle **ethylene, propylene, and specialty polymers**, supporting the regional chemical corridor.
### Import Demand
- **Containerized consumer goods:** **Electronic devices, apparel, and household goods** arrive through the port’s container terminal, servicing the retail market of the Great Lakes region.
- **Energy commodities:** Though the Midwest’s energy mix is shifting toward renewables, the port still processes **coke, coal, and petroleum coke** for local steel mills and power plants.
- **Construction materials:** **Cement, aggregates, and steel beams** are imported to meet the ongoing infrastructure development projects within Wisconsin and neighboring states.
The port’s **Free Trade Zone (FTZ) 77** offers duty‑deferral and tariff‑reduction benefits, fostering **foreign‑direct investment (FDI)** and encouraging manufacturers to locate distribution centers within the port’s logistics ecosystem.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic Shipping Lanes
- **Lake Michigan Loop:** Frequent sailings connect Milwaukee to **Chicago (IL), Gary (IN), and Port of Cleveland (OH)**, facilitating intra‑Great Lakes cargo movement.
- **St. Lawrence Seaway:** Through the **St. Lawrence River**, vessels transit to the **Atlantic Ocean**, linking Milwaukee to European ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg.
- **Mississippi River System:** Bulk cargoes are transferred to **river barges** that navigate the **Illinois and Mississippi Rivers**, providing a direct link to the Gulf of Mexico and the internal U.S. market.
### International Trade Corridors
- **North Atlantic Route:** Container ships loaded at Milwaukee often trans‑ship at **New York/New Jersey** or **Baltimore** before crossing the Atlantic to Europe and the Middle East.
- **Pacific Rim Access:** Via the **St. Lawrence Seaway → New York → Panama Canal**, the port accesses Asian markets, handling high‑value electronics and automotive parts.
- **Mexico‑Canada Trade:** NAFTA/USMCA agreements enable Milwaukee‑based manufacturers to ship directly to Mexican assembly plants and Canadian distribution hubs.
### Primary Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Primary Origin/Destination |
|------------|---------------|----------------------------|
| **Containerized goods** | 165,000 TEU | Imports from Asia & Europe; Exports of manufactured goods to global markets |
| **Dry bulk (grain, fertilizer)** | 1.2 Mt | Exports to Southeast Asia; Imports from the Pacific Northwest |
| **Liquid bulk (petroleum coke, chemicals)** | 560 kt | Imports for regional refineries; Exports of refined products |
| **Ro‑Ro cargo (vehicles, heavy equipment)** | 240,000 units | Imports of automotive components; Exports of construction machinery |
| **Break‑bulk (steel, timber)** | 1.1 Mt | Imports for local steel mills; Exports of processed timber |
The port’s **modal flexibility**—ability to switch cargo between container, bulk, and Ro‑Ro handling—ensures resilience against market fluctuations and enhances its attractiveness to shippers seeking **just‑in‑time (JIT)** delivery models.
---
### Outlook
Looking ahead, the Port of Milwaukee is poised to capitalize on **green logistics initiatives**. Planned investments include **electrified shore power (cold ironing)** for lake freighters, **hydrogen‑fuel‑cell‑powered yard equipment**, and participation in the **Great Lakes Maritime Clean‑Air (GLMCA)** program. These measures aim to reduce the port’s carbon footprint while preserving its competitive advantage in an increasingly sustainability‑driven supply chain environment.
> *“Milwaukee’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and integrated multimodal connectivity make it a cornerstone of the Great Lakes freight network, supporting both regional economic development and national trade security.”* – **John D. McCarthy**, Director, Milwaukee Port Authority
---
[^1]: Milwaukee Port Authority – Official website, https://www.milwaukeeport.com.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USMKE
Country
United States
Province / Region
Wisconsin
Latitude
43.038902
Longitude
-87.906474
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Milwaukee?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Milwaukee is USMKE.
Where is Port of Milwaukee located?
The Port of Milwaukee is located in United States, Wisconsin. Its coordinates are 43.0389°N, -87.9065°E.
What time zone is Port of Milwaukee in?
Port of Milwaukee 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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