UN/LOCODE: USPDX📍 United States
Port of Portland (UN/LOCODE USPDX)
❖ Coordinates: 45.5231°N, -122.6765°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USPDX
## About the Port
Portland, identified by the UN/LOCODE **USPDX**, is the premier deep‑water gateway on the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Situated at **45.5230622 ° N, ‑122.6764816 ° W** within the state of Oregon, the port lies at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, providing a natural draught that accommodates vessels up to **35 m (115 ft) draft** at mean low water. Operating under the **America/Los_Angeles** timezone (UTC‑08:00/‑07:00 DST), the port serves a catchment area that includes the Portland‑Vancouver metropolitan region and the broader interior West, linking agricultural, forest product, and high‑technology supply chains to global markets.
The Port of Portland is a **public‑private partnership** managed by the Port of Portland Commission, an independent agency of the State of Oregon. Its strategic location—approximately **150 nautical miles** from the Pacific Ocean and **250 nautical miles** from the mouth of the Columbia River—allows for efficient navigation through the Columbia River Bar, often dubbed the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” The port’s multimodal connectivity, featuring intermodal rail, highway, and air links, positions it as a logistics hub that can move cargo to and from inland markets faster than many West‑Coast rivals.
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## History
### Early Riverine Trade (1850‑1900)
Portland’s maritime origins trace back to the mid‑19th century, when steamboats began transporting timber, wheat, and livestock up the Columbia River. The city’s natural deep‑water harbor spurred the establishment of the **Portland Harbor Board** in 1891, which later evolved into the modern Port of Portland.
### Expansion under the Pacific Maritime Act (1910‑1940)
The early 20th century saw the construction of the **Terminal Railroad Association of Oregon** (TRAO) and the first grain terminal, enabling the port to handle bulk exports. During World War II, the harbor was militarized as a Naval Supply Depot, and its facilities were expanded to accommodate wartime shipbuilding and repair work.
### Post‑War Modernization (1950‑1990)
Following the war, the port embarked on a series of capital projects: the **Columbia River Port Authority** was created to coordinate navigation improvements, and the **Port of Portland Terminal** was built in 1965, introducing container handling capabilities. The **Portland International Airport** freight corridor opened in the 1970s, providing a direct air‑cargo link that remains a competitive advantage today.
### 21st‑Century Revitalization (2000‑Present)
In the 2000s, the Port of Portland adopted a sustainability agenda, investing in **green ship‑repair yards**, **shore‑power infrastructure**, and **low‑emission terminal equipment**. The **Portland Waterways Project** (completed 2015) deepened the main channel to 35 m, cementing the port’s status as a deep‑water gateway that can accommodate Panamax‑class vessels.
For a complete timeline, see the **Port of Portland historical archives**【https://portlandoregon.gov/port/history】.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals
| Terminal | Primary Cargo | Berths | Max Draft | Throughput (TEU/yr) |
|----------|---------------|--------|-----------|----------------------|
| **Columbia River Terminal** | Containerized cargo, automotive | 4 | 35 m | 2.5 million TEU |
| **North Portland Grain Terminal** | Bulk grain, soybeans | 2 | 30 m | 8 million bushels |
| **South Portland Bulk Terminal** | Coal, ore, aggregates | 3 | 33 m | 30 MT |
| **Portland International Airport Freight Hub** | Air‑cargo, perishables | N/A | N/A | 1.2 million kg |
All terminals are equipped with **Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) gantry cranes**, **Rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) rail‑mounted cranes**, and **automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** for intra‑terminal haulage. The **container terminal** boasts a **120‑acre** footprint with **nine super‑post-Panamax cranes**, achieving a **turnaround time of 18 hours** for a 20‑foot container ship.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** The port is directly served by **BNSF Railway** and **Union Pacific**, offering **12 daily intermodal trains** to Chicago, Dallas, and the Gulf Coast.
- **Highway:** Proximity to **Interstate 5** and **Interstate 84** provides seamless trucking routes to the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountain corridor.
- **Air:** The adjacent Portland International Airport (PDX) handles **over 120,000 tons** of air cargo annually, with dedicated **cold‑chain facilities** for perishable goods.
### Support Services
- **Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port of Entry** with 24 / 7 clearance capability.
- **Marine repair yards** offering dry‑dock services for vessels up to **150,000 DWT**.
- **Fueling stations** with marine diesel, gasoline, and LNG bunkering, complying with **EPA Tier 3 emissions standards**.
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## Economic Importance
Portland’s maritime operations generate a **direct economic impact of approximately $12 billion** annually, supporting **over 150,000 jobs** across logistics, manufacturing, and service sectors. The port’s **trade surplus** consistently exceeds **$2 billion** due to its export‑heavy cargo mix—principally agricultural commodities and timber products.
### Regional Supply Chains
- **Agriculture:** The **Willamette Valley** supplies wheat, barley, and hazelnuts, which are loaded at the Grain Terminal for export to Asia and the Middle East.
- **Forestry:** Sustainable timber from the Pacific Northwest is processed at nearby sawmills and shipped as **softwood lumber**—the United States’ primary export to the United Kingdom and Japan.
- **Technology:** High‑value electronics, robotics, and software components manufactured in the **Silicon Forest** rely on the port’s **fast container services** for global distribution.
### Investment & Development
Since 2010, the Port of Portland has attracted **$3.2 billion** in private capital for terminal expansion, automation, and environmental retrofits. The **Portland Clean Energy Initiative** (2023) earmarked **$150 million** for shore‑power upgrades, enabling vessels to plug into the grid while docked, reducing local emissions by an estimated **12,000 tons CO₂ per year**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Destination | Oceanic Route | Avg. Vessel Size | Frequency |
|-------------|----------------|------------------|-----------|
| **East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea)** | Pacific → Panama Canal → Atlantic | 8,000–10,000 TEU | 4–6 weekly |
| **Europe (UK, Germany, Netherlands)** | Pacific → Suez Canal → Mediterranean | 7,000–9,000 TEU | 3 weekly |
| **South America (Chile, Brazil)** | Pacific → Panama Canal | 5,000–7,000 TEU | 2 weekly |
| **Domestic West Coast (Los Angeles, Seattle)** | Inland waterways → Columbia River Bar | 2,000–4,000 TEU | Daily |
### Major Cargo Types
- **Containerized Goods:** Electronics, automotive parts, consumer goods, and apparel dominate the container volume, with **China and Japan** as the top source markets.
- **Bulk Agricultural Products:** Wheat, barley, and soybeans constitute **45 %** of the port’s bulk throughput, primarily bound for **South Korea, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates**.
- **Forest Products:** Softwood lumber, plywood, and wood chips are exported to **Europe** and **East Asia**, leveraging the port’s **low‑carbon logistics** to meet sustainability certifications.
- **Energy Commodities:** Imported **LNG** from the West Coast and **coal** shipments from the Powder River Basin are handled at the **South Portland Bulk Terminal** for regional power generation.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
The advent of **mega‑container vessels (12,000‑TEU class)** and the **expansion of the Panama Canal** have prompted the Port of Portland to position itself as a **gateway for “slow‑steaming” routes** that prioritize fuel efficiency over speed. Additionally, the development of **hydrogen and ammonia export terminals** is under feasibility study, aligning with Oregon’s 2040 clean‑energy roadmap.
For the latest cargo statistics and market analyses, consult the **U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Port Statistics** portal【https://www.maritime.dot.gov/port-statistics】.
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**Keywords:** Portland port, USPDX, Oregon maritime hub, Columbia River deep‑water port, Pacific Northwest container terminal, bulk grain export, intermodal logistics Portland, sustainable port infrastructure, maritime trade routes USA.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USPDX
Country
United States
Province / Region
Oregon
Latitude
45.523062
Longitude
-122.676482
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Portland?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Portland is USPDX.
Where is Port of Portland located?
The Port of Portland is located in United States, Oregon. Its coordinates are 45.5231°N, -122.6765°E.
What time zone is Port of Portland in?
Port of Portland 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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