UN/LOCODE: USOAK📍 United States
Port of Oakland (UN/LOCODE USOAK)
❖ Coordinates: 37.8044°N, -122.2711°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USOAK
## About the Port
The Port of Oakland, identified by UN/LOCODE USOAK, represents one of the most strategically significant maritime gateways on the United States West Coast. Situated within Alameda County, California, at coordinates 37.8043637° N, -122.2711137° W, this deep-water port operates under the America/Chicago timezone designation and serves as a critical node in Pacific Rim commerce.
As the busiest deep-water port on the U.S. West Coast, Oakland commands substantial cargo-handling capacity with multiple container terminals, breakbulk facilities, and specialized cargo operations. The port's infrastructure supports vessel draft depths exceeding 50 feet, enabling efficient deployment of post-Panamax and New Panamax ship configurations. Its geographic positioning along San Francisco Bay provides natural protection from marine conditions while maintaining direct access to the Pacific Ocean through the Golden Gate Strait.
## History
The Port of Oakland's maritime heritage traces back to 1852 when shipping activities first commenced in the San Francisco Bay area. However, the modern port infrastructure emerged following World War II's conclusion, when the United States government initiated systematic expansion of West Coast port facilities to accommodate growing international trade volumes.
Significant development milestones occurred during the 1960s and 1970s when containerization revolutionized global shipping practices. Oakland became among the first West Coast ports to implement container handling equipment, establishing the technological foundation for its current operational profile. The port's evolution reflects broader trends in maritime commerce, including the transition from breakbulk cargo to containerized freight, the emergence of mega-ship operations, and integration into global supply chain networks.
Municipal governance transitioned to the Port of Oakland Commission in 1911, creating a specialized authority focused exclusively on maritime infrastructure development and commercial optimization. This institutional framework enabled long-term strategic planning and capital investment initiatives spanning multiple decades.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Oakland's terminal complex comprises five major container terminals operated by distinct entities including SSA Terminals, Matson Terminals, and Pacific Harbor Terminals. These facilities collectively provide over 5,000 acres of operational space with dedicated container yards, gantry crane systems, and rail spurs connecting directly to the national freight network.
The port's berth configuration includes twelve deep-water berths capable of accommodating vessels up to 12,000 TEU capacity. Modern container handling equipment features state-of-the-art ship-to-shore gantry cres, rubber-tired gantry (RTG) systems, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that enhance operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact through emissions reduction technologies.
Specialized cargo facilities support diverse maritime activities including automobile processing terminals handling over 400,000 vehicles annually, bulk commodity terminals managing agricultural products and minerals, and liquid bulk facilities serving petroleum and chemical industries. The port's aviation-related cargo operations leverage nearby Oakland International Airport's air cargo capabilities, creating multimodal logistics synergies.
Recent infrastructure investments have focused on shore power installation programs, alternative fuel vehicle adoption, and digitalization initiatives including automated cargo tracking systems and electronic documentation platforms.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Oakland generates approximately $23 billion in annual economic impact supporting over 200,000 regional jobs while facilitating $45 billion in cargo value movement annually. Its strategic West Coast location creates competitive advantages for inland markets extending throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain region, and Midwest states.
Agricultural exports represent significant value generation with perishable cargo handling including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and specialty crops requiring temperature-controlled logistics solutions. Automotive import operations serve major manufacturing facilities across California's Central Valley and surrounding states, while machinery and industrial equipment movements support construction and manufacturing sectors.
The port's retail goods import facilitation enables major consumer markets throughout Northern California and beyond, with e-commerce growth driving increased container volume demands. Foreign trade zone designations provide companies operational flexibility for customs compliance and duty management strategies.
Employment creation extends beyond direct port operations to include stevedoring companies, logistics service providers, trucking firms, and rail transportation entities forming integrated maritime supply chains.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Primary trade lanes connecting Oakland include transpacific routes linking major Asian ports including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Busan, and Singapore alongside emerging markets in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. These eastbound routes facilitate consumer goods imports while westbound movements carry agricultural commodities, forest products, and manufactured goods toward Pacific Rim destinations.
Transatlantic shipping connections establish partnerships with European ports including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Barcelona, supporting machinery imports and industrial equipment exports. Seasonal variations create peak cargo volumes during holiday periods requiring coordinated terminal scheduling and labor resource allocation.
Major cargo categories encompass electronics and consumer goods representing highest value-per-unit movements, automobiles and rolling stock requiring specialized handling procedures, agricultural products including tree fruits, nuts, and vegetables demanding temperature-controlled storage facilities, and general merchandise cargoes spanning multiple industries.
Bulk cargo operations include coal imports for power generation, mineral exports supporting construction industries, and liquid bulk movements including petroleum products and chemicals serving regional energy infrastructure needs.
[source] (https://www.portofoakland.com/)
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USOAK
Country
United States
Province / Region
California
Latitude
37.804364
Longitude
-122.271114
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Oakland?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Oakland is USOAK.
Where is Port of Oakland located?
The Port of Oakland is located in United States, California. Its coordinates are 37.8044°N, -122.2711°E.
What time zone is Port of Oakland in?
Port of Oakland operates in the America/Chicago time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.4 m
Wave Direction277°
Swell Height0.36 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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