UN/LOCODE: USNYC📍 United States
Port of New York (UN/LOCODE USNYC)
❖ Coordinates: 40.7000°N, -74.0000°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USNYC
## About the Port
The **Port of New York** (UN/LOCODE: **USNYC**) is the premier gateway on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, jointly administered by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). Situated at latitude 40.7 N and longitude ‑74 W, the port operates within the **America/New_York** time zone and serves as a multimodal hub interlinking ocean, rail, road, and air freight networks. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Hudson River, adjacent to the Upper New York Bay, provides deep‑water access for vessels up to **50 m draft**, enabling the handling of ultra‑large container ships (ULCS) and a wide mix of bulk, break‑bulk, and project cargo.
Key identifiers used by maritime stakeholders include the **Port Identifier (USNYC)**, the **Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)** 367050000, and the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** reporting system for port state control inspections. The port’s official coordinates are embedded in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) to ensure accurate navigation and AIS tracking for inbound and outbound traffic.
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## History
### Early Settlement (1624‑1800)
The site of today’s port was originally a Dutch trading post—New Amsterdam—situated at the foot of Manhattan Island. By the late 17th century, the natural harbor facilitated the export of agricultural produce and imported finished goods, establishing New York as a colonial **customs point**.
### 19th‑Century Expansion (1800‑1900)
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 dramatically increased the port’s hinterland reach, linking the Atlantic to the Great Lakes and the interior Midwest. Steam‑powered paddlewheelers and later iron‑clad steamships replaced sail, prompting the construction of the first public marine railways and the **Hoboken Dock** (1850).
### 20th‑Century Modernization (1900‑1970)
The creation of the **Port Authority of New York and New Jersey** in 1921 centralized control over waterfront development. The introduction of containerization in the 1960s, led by the first container terminal at **Brooklyn** (1966), set the stage for the massive **Port Newark–Elizabeth** complex to become the United States’ largest container hub by the 1970s.
### 21st‑Century Revitalization (2000‑Present)
Post‑9/11 security reforms, the **Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)**, and the **National Maritime Security Program** reshaped operating procedures. Recent investments—such as the **Deepening of the New York Harbor to 50 ft** (completed 2023) and the **Pier 76 redevelopment**—focus on resilience against climate change, digitalization of port community systems (PCS), and the accommodation of next‑generation **mega‑container vessels**.
*For a detailed chronological timeline, see the Port Authority’s official history page*(Port Authority of NY & NJ – History↗).
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT)** – 12 berths, >12 million TEU annual capacity, equipped with rubber‑tyred gantry (RMG) cranes (40 + m outreach) and ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantries (22 + m outreach).
- **Elizabeth Marine Terminal (EMT)** – 7 berths, specialized in refrigerated cargo (reefer) with on‑site cold‑storage warehouses exceeding 150,000 sq ft.
### Bulk & Break‑Bulk Facilities
- **Pier 90** – Dedicated to dry bulk (cereals, fertilizers) with conveyor‑belt loading systems and grain elevators.
- **Port Authority Marine Terminal 1** – Handles steel coils, project cargo, and oversized machinery via heavy‑lift gantries (up to 500 t).
### Ro-Ro & Vehicle Processing
- **Brooklyn Cruise Terminal** – While primarily a passenger facility, its ro‑ro ramps also service automobile imports/exports, supporting a throughput of ~1 million vehicles per year.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Two Class I railroad connections (CSX, Norfolk Southern) via the **North River Railway Bridge**, enabling direct double‑stack container movement to the Midwest.
- **Road:** Direct access to **I‑78**, **I‑95**, and **NY‑495**, with a network of over 1,500 truck lanes and dedicated **Truck Appointment System (TAS)** to de‑congest terminal yards.
### Supporting Infrastructure
- **Deep‑Water Dredging:** Ongoing maintenance dredging keeps the main channel at a **50‑ft depth**, satisfying the draft requirements of the latest **ULCS (up to 23 m)**.
- **Customs & Security:** Automated **Port Community System (PCS)** integrated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for real‑time manifests, risk assessment, and electronic data interchange (EDI).
- **Environmental Initiatives:** Shore‑power (cold ironing) installations at 10 berths provide up to **7 MW** of electricity to docked vessels, reducing emissions by an estimated **15 %** per call.
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## Economic Importance
The Port of New York ranks **#2** in total cargo tonnage among U.S. ports and **#3** in container volume (TEUs) behind Los Angeles and Long Beach. In 2023, the port handled **7.5 million TEUs** and **120 million metric tons** of cargo, generating an estimated **$120 billion** in economic activity.
Key economic metrics:
| Metric | 2023 Value | Share of U.S. Total* |
|--------|------------|----------------------|
| TEU Throughput | 7.5 M | 11 % |
| Total Cargo (MT) | 120 M | 9 % |
| Direct Employment | 120,000 | — |
| Indirect & Induced Jobs | 280,000 | — |
| Tax Revenue (Federal + State) | $8.3 B | — |
*U.S. totals derived from the **American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)**.
The port’s multimodal ecosystem underpins critical supply‑chain sectors: automotive manufacturing (via the **Newark Auto Port**), food processing (through refrigerated cargo capacity), and energy (import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via specialized terminals). Moreover, the **cruise industry** operating from the nearby **Manhattan Cruise Terminal** adds roughly **$2 billion** annually to local tourism revenues.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Trade Route | Main Origin/Destination | Vessel Size | Frequency (weekly) |
|-------------|------------------------|------------|--------------------|
| Trans‑Atlantic | Rotterdam ↔ New York | 12 – 13 k TEU | 4–5 |
| Asia‑East Coast | Shanghai ↔ New York | 18 – 22 k TEU (ULCS) | 3–4 |
| Caribbean Loop | Port of San Juan ↔ New York | 5–8 k TEU | 7–10 |
| Gulf of Mexico | Houston ↔ New York | 10 k GT (LNG) | 5–6 |
### Dominant Cargo Types
- **Containers:** Consumer electronics, apparel, and automotive parts dominate inbound imports; outbound exports include agricultural commodities (corn, soy) and high‑tech machinery.
- **Dry Bulk:** Grain, fertilizers, and coal remain significant, facilitated by on‑site **grain elevators** and **coal handling facilities**.
- **Liquid Bulk:** Crude oil and refined petroleum products are processed at the **Newark Marine Terminal**; LNG imports have surged following the commissioning of the **Newark LNG Terminal** (2021).
- **Project Cargo:** Heavy lift equipment, wind‑turbine components, and modular construction units are routinely transshipped via the port’s **heavy‑lift gantry cranes**.
### Emerging Trends
- **Near‑shoring:** Companies repositioning supply‑chain nodes closer to the East Coast have increased demand for **short‑sea container services** between New York and Gulf ports.
- **Sustainability:** The port is a testbed for **alternative fuels**—biodiesel bunkering stations and pilot projects for **hydrogen‑fuel‑cell powered vessels**—aligning with the **International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023** emissions reduction targets.
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**Conclusion**
The Port of New York (USNYC) stands as a cornerstone of North Atlantic maritime commerce, merging historic depth with cutting‑edge infrastructure. Its robust intermodal connections, strategic location, and continual investment in capacity and sustainability render it indispensable to U.S. trade dynamics and the global supply‑chain network. For stakeholders seeking a gateway that balances volume, speed, and resilience, New York remains the benchmark port on the Eastern Seaboard.
*References:*
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – Official Port Statistics (2023).
- United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) – *USNYC* entry.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USNYC
Country
United States
Province / Region
New York
Latitude
40.700000
Longitude
-74.000000
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of New York?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of New York is USNYC.
Where is Port of New York located?
The Port of New York is located in United States, New York. Its coordinates are 40.7000°N, -74.0000°E.
What time zone is Port of New York in?
Port of New York 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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