UN/LOCODE: USPEB📍 United States
Port of Port Elizabeth (UN/LOCODE USPEB)
❖ Coordinates: 39.3000°N, -74.9700°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USPEB
## About the Port
Port Elizabeth, New Jersey (UN/LOCODE: USPEB) represents a strategically significant deep-water port facility positioned along the United States East Coast. Located at coordinates 39.3° Latitude, -74.97° Longitude within Essex County, New Jersey, this commercial port operates under the America/New_York timezone and serves as a critical node in North American maritime logistics networks.
The port's geographic positioning provides direct access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Lower New York Bay, connecting seamlessly to the extensive inland waterway system through the Delaware River and Philadelphia Canal system. This location enables efficient multimodal transportation corridors linking maritime cargo to regional rail and highway infrastructure.
Port Elizabeth functions as a major container handling facility with extensive roll-on/roll-off capabilities, supporting diverse cargo operations including general cargo, bulk commodities, and specialized project cargo. The port's deep-draft berths accommodate modern neo-Panamax vessels, making it an attractive alternative to congested Northeast ports while maintaining competitive transshipment advantages for regional distribution.
## History
Port Elizabeth's maritime heritage dates to its establishment in the early 19th century as a fishing village within the Raritan Bay watershed. The original settlement, founded in 1804, initially served coastal trading operations before evolving into a substantial industrial port during the post-Civil War manufacturing boom.
The port's transformation into a major commercial hub accelerated dramatically following World War II, when strategic maritime infrastructure investments supported the growth of heavy industry in the New York metropolitan area. The 1950s marked a pivotal era as containerization revolutionized cargo handling practices, prompting substantial terminal modernization initiatives at Port Elizabeth.
The 1960s and 1970s witnessed extensive infrastructure development, including the construction of deep-water berths capable of handling larger vessel classes and the implementation of automated cargo handling equipment. These developments positioned Port Elizabeth as a key participant in the evolving North American container traffic landscape.
During the late 20th century, the port experienced cyclical growth patterns correlated with regional economic expansion and global trade liberalization. However, increasing congestion at nearby New York and New Jersey ports necessitated strategic capacity enhancements and operational efficiency improvements to maintain competitive relevance in the Northeast maritime corridor.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Port Elizabeth operates multiple deep-water berths equipped with advanced cargo handling infrastructure, including gantry cranes capable of servicing modern container vessels up to 8,000 TEU capacity. The port's terminal facilities feature paved working areas, dedicated rail spurs for intermodal connectivity, and comprehensive electronic data interchange systems supporting real-time cargo tracking and customs clearance operations.
The facility encompasses over 1,200 acres of dedicated waterfront property, with specialized zones for different cargo types including refrigerated container storage, bulk material handling areas, and project cargo staging facilities. Modern warehouse complexes provide temperature-controlled storage capabilities essential for perishable cargo operations and high-value manufactured goods.
Navigation channels into Port Elizabeth maintain a depth of 45 feet, accommodating vessels with drafts up to 42 feet while providing safe maneuvering space for commercial traffic. The port's approach channels connect directly to the Atlantic Ocean via established shipping lanes, with clear passage routes through the New York Harbor approach system.
Security infrastructure includes comprehensive perimeter fencing, electronic surveillance systems, and integrated access control mechanisms compliant with Maritime Transportation Security Act requirements. The port maintains active coordination with U.S. Coast Guard patrol units and local law enforcement agencies to ensure continuous security monitoring and emergency response capabilities.
Intermodal connectivity represents a critical infrastructure advantage, with dedicated rail connections enabling seamless container transfer between maritime and land-based transportation networks. These connections facilitate efficient cargo distribution throughout the northeastern United States and into inland markets via major rail corridors.
## Economic Importance
Port Elizabeth generates substantial economic impact for the State of New Jersey through direct employment opportunities, business revenue generation, and regional supply chain efficiency enhancement. The port supports approximately 15,000 jobs directly and indirectly within the regional economy, spanning cargo handling operations, logistics services, transportation networks, and supporting commercial activities.
Annual cargo throughput volumes exceed 1.2 million tons, encompassing diverse product categories including manufactured goods, construction materials, agricultural commodities, and consumer products. Container cargo represents the predominant volume category, with thousands of twenty-foot equivalent units processed monthly for domestic distribution and export markets.
The port's economic significance extends to regional manufacturing sectors, providing reliable import access for raw materials and finished goods while facilitating efficient export distribution for New Jersey-based producers. Strategic location advantages enable competitive pricing for regional businesses seeking multimodal transportation solutions combining maritime cost-effectiveness with inland accessibility.
Tax revenue generation from port operations contributes meaningfully to local municipal budgets, supporting public infrastructure maintenance and community development initiatives. The port's continued operational expansion projects promise sustained economic growth and enhanced regional competitiveness in North American logistics markets.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Port Elizabeth's cargo operations connect primarily with international markets across North America, Europe, and transatlantic shipping lanes. Regular vessel services establish direct sailing routes to major European ports including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Barcelona, facilitating efficient transatlantic cargo movement for both import and export transactions.
Major trading partners encompass Canadian ports via the St. Lawrence Seaway system, Caribbean destinations through established Caribbean service routes, and Latin American markets via flexible scheduling arrangements. The port's strategic East Coast location enables competitive transit times to key domestic markets including the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeastern United States.
Container cargo dominates port throughput, representing approximately 75% of total annual volume. Primary import commodities include electronic components, machinery equipment, textiles, and household goods destined for regional retail distribution centers and consumer markets throughout the northeastern corridor.
Export operations focus on manufactured goods including machinery, vehicle components, chemical products, and construction materials destined for European and global markets. Bulk cargo operations involve specialized handling of materials such as coal, grain products, and liquid petroleum products, utilizing dedicated terminal facilities and specialized handling equipment.
Project cargo operations represent a growing segment, accommodating oversized shipments including wind turbine components, industrial equipment modules, and specialized infrastructure materials requiring coordinated loading and transportation planning. The port's deep-water access and flexible scheduling capabilities enable efficient handling of time-sensitive and size-constrained cargo movements.
For additional maritime infrastructure details, refer to the American Association of Port Authorities↗ or consult Maritime Administration statistics↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USPEB
Country
United States
Province / Region
New Jersey
Latitude
39.300000
Longitude
-74.970000
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Elizabeth?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Elizabeth is USPEB.
Where is Port of Port Elizabeth located?
The Port of Port Elizabeth is located in United States, New Jersey. Its coordinates are 39.3000°N, -74.9700°E.
What time zone is Port of Port Elizabeth in?
Port of Port Elizabeth operates in the America/New_York time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.34 m
Wave Direction233°
Swell Height0.18 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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