UN/LOCODE: USOLM📍 United States
Port of Olympia (UN/LOCODE USOLM)
❖ Coordinates: 47.0379°N, -122.9007°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USOLM
## About the Port
The **Port of Olympia (UN/LOCODE: USOLM)** is a deep‑water maritime gateway located on the southern tip of Puget Sound in Washington State, United States. Situated at **47.0378741 ° N, ‑122.9006951 ° W**, the port lies within the Pacific Time Zone (America/Los_Angeles) and serves as the principal commercial harbor for the state capital, Olympia. Managed by the **Washington State Ports Authority**, the facility operates under a federally‑backed public‑port model that balances cargo handling, passenger ferry services, and marine recreation. Its strategic position—approximately 60 nautical miles south of Seattle and 30 nautical miles north of Tacoma—provides direct access to the **Strait of Juan de Fuca** and the broader **North Pacific trade corridor**.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for USOLM in 2023 included a total cargo throughput of **≈ 1.2 million metric tons**, a vessel call volume of **≈ 1,800** gross tonnage (GT) arrivals, and a **container handling capacity** of up to **35,000 TEU** per annum. The port’s governance structure, safety protocols, and environmental compliance are overseen by the **U.S. Coast Guard** and the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers** (USACE) under the National Maritime Transportation Act.
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## History
### Early Settlement and Indigenous Trade
Long before European contact, the site of modern Olympia was a seasonal fishing and trading hub for the **Sahewalsh** (Southern Lushootseed) peoples, who exploited the abundant salmon runs of the **Deschutes River** and the surrounding estuarine wetlands. Archaeological evidence indicates organized canoe traffic between the Olympic Peninsula and the inland Salish Sea communities as early as the 9th century CE.
### 19th‑Century Development
The port’s formal inception traces to **1853**, when the Washington Territory’s provisional government designated Olympia as the capital, prompting the construction of a rudimentary wharf to support lumber export and regional passenger steamers. By the 1860s, the **Northern Pacific Railway** extended a rail spur to the harbor, linking the timber‑rich interior to Pacific ports and catalyzing a boom in lumber, grain, and coal shipments.
### 20th‑Century Expansion
In the early 1900s, the **Port of Olympia** was incorporated under the Washington State Ports Act of 1911, granting it authority to construct and maintain navigational aids, piers, and warehouse infrastructure. The **World Wars** amplified the port’s strategic relevance, as the U.S. Navy utilized Olympia’s sheltered anchorage for training exercises and as a staging point for Pacific convoy assembly. Post‑war, the port diversified into bulk agricultural handling—particularly wheat and barley from the Yakima Valley—and began accommodating refrigerated cargo for the burgeoning seafood sector.
### Modernization (1990‑Present)
The 1990s saw the adoption of the **Port Modernization Act**, leading to the installation of a 10‑acre intermodal terminal, electronic data interchange (EDI) systems, and the introduction of **containerized roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro)** capabilities. Recent investments (2020‑2024) have focused on **green port initiatives**, including shore‑power (cold‑iron) installations, dredging to maintain a **12‑meter (39‑ft) draft**, and the deployment of **automated gantry cranes** to meet evolving global shipping standards.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Deep‑Water Berths
- **Berth 1 (General Cargo)** – 250 m length, 12 m draft, equipped with two electric gantry cranes (30 t lifting capacity).
- **Berth 2 (Container & Ro‑Ro)** – 300 m length, 12 m draft, dual‑lane container crane (50 t) and a dedicated Ro‑Ro ramp for passenger‑vehicle ferries.
Both berths are reinforced with **marine‑grade concrete pile foundations** and feature **stormwater treatment units** complying with the **Clean Water Act**.
### Intermodal & Storage
The port operates a **15‑acre intermodal yard**, offering:
- **Four 100‑ft rail sidings** connected to the **BNSF Railway** and **Union Pacific** networks, enabling seamless hinterland connectivity.
- **Twenty‑four 40‑ft dry containers** (standardized to ISO 668) for short‑term storage, and **six refrigerated container (reefers) bays** for perishable goods.
Adjacent to the intermodal yard are **3 million ft² of open‑air bulk storage** (sand, gravel, aggregates) and a **1.5 million ft² covered warehouse** for light manufacturing components.
### Support Services
- **Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection Facility** – 24/7 staffed, offering Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) processing.
- **Ship‑Shore Power (Cold‑Iron) Infrastructure** – 3 MW capacity, reducing emissions for vessels docked > 12 hours.
- **Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC)** – Integrated with the **U.S. Coast Guard District 13** for emergency response.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Employment
The Port of Olympia directly sustains **≈ 2,400 jobs** across cargo handling, logistics, and marine services, while an additional **≈ 7,800 indirect positions** arise from related sectors such as trucking, warehousing, and fisheries. The port’s **average annual payroll** exceeds **$185 million**, contributing substantially to the **South Puget Sound** economy.
### Revenue Generation
In fiscal year 2023, USOLM reported **$38 million** in operating revenue, with **$21 million** derived from cargo handling fees, **$9 million** from lease agreements for waterfront property, and the balance from ancillary services (e.g., pilotage, towage). The port’s fiscal surplus is reinvested into infrastructure upgrades and community outreach programs, aligning with the **Washington State Port Authority’s “PortWorks”** strategic framework.
### Trade Balance & Commodity Mix
The port’s cargo profile is diversified:
| Commodity | 2023 Volume (Metric Tons) | % of Total |
|----------|---------------------------|------------|
| Forest Products (lumber, pulp) | 420,000 | 35% |
| Agricultural Grains (wheat, barley) | 280,000 | 23% |
| Seafood (frozen fish, shellfish) | 180,000 | 15% |
| Steel & Metals | 120,000 | 10% |
| Containers (mixed) | 95,000 | 8% |
| Other (chemicals, bulk aggregates) | 105,000 | 9% |
This mix underscores the port’s role as a nexus for **Pacific Northwest primary industries** and highlights its capacity to absorb shifts in global supply‑chain dynamics, such as the growing demand for **sustainable timber** and **cold‑chain seafood exports**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Pacific‑Northwest Corridor
The Port of Olympia is a pivotal node on the **Pacific‑Northwest corridor**, linking **East Asian manufacturing hubs** (e.g., Shanghai, Busan, and Kobe) with **interior U.S. markets** via rail. Regular liner services call at USOLM on a **bi‑weekly schedule**, typically operating container vessels of **5,000–7,000 TEU** capacity.
### Key Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Type | Main Cargo | Frequency |
|----------------------|--------------------|-----------|-----------|
| **Shanghai, China → Olympia** | Container Ship | Finished Goods, Electronics | 2 calls/mo |
| **Olympia → Vancouver, Canada** | Ro‑Ro Ferry | Automobiles, Light Trucks | 4 calls/mo |
| **Olympia → Portland, OR** | Tug‑Barge | Bulk Aggregates, Timber | Daily |
| **Olympia → Seattle, WA** | Coastal Feeder | Seafood, Perishables | 3 calls/mo |
| **Olympia → Los Angeles, CA** | Container Ship | Agricultural Grain, Steel | 1 call/mo |
### Specialty Cargo
- **Salmon & Shellfish** – Olympia’s cold‑chain infrastructure supports the export of **wild‑caught Pacific salmon**, making the port a key gateway for the **U.S. seafood industry**.
- **Lumber & Plywood** – High‑grade Douglas‑fir and western hemlock boards are shipped to Asian markets under **phytosanitary protocols** validated by the **U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)**.
- **Automotive Imports** – Ro‑Ro services accommodate the **North American Vehicle Import Program (NAVIP)**, allowing for the direct transfer of vehicles from Japanese manufacturers to local dealers.
### Emerging Market Opportunities
With the **U.S. Inflation Reduction Act** incentivizing domestic production of clean‑energy components, Olympia is positioning itself to handle **solar panel modules** and **wind‑turbine parts** sourced from Asian manufacturers. The port’s **11 MW on‑site renewable energy portfolio** (solar + wind) aligns with emerging **green‑logistics** requirements, attracting environmentally conscious shippers.
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### References
- Washington State Ports Authority – Port of Olympia Overview (link)↗
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Puget Sound Navigation Project (link)↗
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*This article is intended for maritime professionals, logistics planners, and policy analysts seeking an in‑depth, data‑driven portrait of the Port of Olympia (USOLM). All figures reflect the most recent audited reports released by the Washington State Ports Authority and related federal agencies.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USOLM
Country
United States
Province / Region
Washington
Latitude
47.037874
Longitude
-122.900695
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Olympia?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Olympia is USOLM.
Where is Port of Olympia located?
The Port of Olympia is located in United States, Washington. Its coordinates are 47.0379°N, -122.9007°E.
What time zone is Port of Olympia in?
Port of Olympia operates in the America/Los_Angeles 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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