UN/LOCODE: USPIA📍 United States
Port of Peoria (UN/LOCODE USPIA)
❖ Coordinates: 40.6936°N, -89.5890°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USPIA
## About the Port
- **Name:** Port of Peoria
- **UN/LOCODE:** USPIA
- **Country:** United States of America
- **State/Region:** Illinois
- **Timezone:** America/Chicago (UTC‑06:00 standard / UTC‑05:00 daylight)
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 40.6936488 ° N, ‑89.5889864 ° W
The Port of Peoria is an inland, multimodal hub situated on the Illinois River, a principal tributary of the Mississippi River system. Operated under the stewardship of the Peoria Riverfront & Harbor Authority, the port lies at the confluence of the Illinois Waterway and a dense network of rail, highway, and intermodal facilities that serve the central Midwest. Although not a deep‑water seaport, Peoria’s strategic inland location enables the handling of bulk commodities, containerized freight, and project cargo bound for both domestic and export markets via the Mississippi‑Gulf of Mexico corridor.
## History
### Early Development (19th Century)
Peoria’s origins as a riverine trading post date to the early 1800s, when the Illinois River functioned as a vital artery for fur traders and pioneer settlers. By the 1830s, steamboat traffic had transformed the riverbank into a bustling dockyard, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, timber, and later, coal from the Illinois coal fields.
### Industrial Expansion (Late 19th–Mid 20th Century)
The arrival of railroads in the 1850s—most notably the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad—augmented the harbor’s capacity, creating a classic intermodal node. The 1900s saw the construction of permanent waterfront warehouses, grain elevators, and a dedicated river lock (Lock & Dam No. 2, 1922) that standardized water levels and ensured year‑round navigation.
### Modernization (1970s–Present)
In response to the decline of traditional river cargoes, the Port Authority initiated a series of upgrades during the 1970s, including the dredging of the approach channel to a nominal depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) and the installation of modern crane systems. The 1990s brought the development of the Peoria Towne Center industrial park, and in 2005 the Port received a federal grant for the construction of a 30‑acre cold‑storage facility to support perishable agrifood exports. Recent investments (2020‑2024) focus on digitalization—adopting real‑time vessel tracking, electronic data interchange (EDI) for customs, and green‑port initiatives such as shoreline restoration and shore‑power capability.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Navigational Assets
- **Channel Depth & Width:** Maintained at 9 ft (2.7 m) depth and 200 ft (61 m) navigable width, permitting barge tows of up to 8,000 tonnes.
- **Locks & Dams:** Adjacent to Lock & Dam No. 2 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) which regulates river stages and provides a lift of 15 ft (4.6 m).
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Facility | Primary Equipment | Typical Capacity |
|----------|-------------------|------------------|
| **General Cargo Wharf** | 30‑ton hydraulic crane, roll‑on/roll‑off (RO‑RO) ramps | 30 kTEU/yr |
| **Bulk Materials Yard** | Grain elevators (15 MT/h), conveyor belts, pneumatic unloaders | 2 Mt/yr (grain, coal, aggregates) |
| **Cold‑Storage Terminal** | 150,000 sq ft refrigerated warehouse, blast freezers | 500 kMT/yr (perishables) |
| **Project Cargo Bay** | 80‑ton overhead gantry crane, heavy‑lift jib | 1 Mt/yr (machinery, steel structures) |
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct access to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and Union Pacific (UP) mainlines, with three on‑site sidings capable of handling 115‑car unit trains.
- **Highway:** Proximity to Interstate 74 and U.S. Route 150, providing a 15‑minute truck transit to the Greater Peoria Logistics Corridor.
- **Air:** Approximately 25 km from General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, facilitating air‑freight for high‑value, time‑critical shipments.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Facility:** Full‑service 24‑hour inspection and clearance.
- **Marine Services:** Towboat fleet (2 tugs), pilotage, water‑level monitoring, and vessel‑turnaround support.
- **Environmental Management:** Shore‑line vegetative buffers, storm‑water treatment basins, and compliance with the EPA’s Water Quality Standards for the Illinois River.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Peoria is a linchpin of the central Illinois economy, generating an estimated **$2.3 billion** in annual economic output and supporting over **12,000 direct and indirect jobs**. Key sectors benefiting from the port include:
- **Agriculture:** The region’s corn, soybeans, and wheat are aggregated at Peoria grain elevators before downstream shipment to Gulf ports for export.
- **Food Processing:** The nearby Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) facilities leverage the cold‑storage terminal for frozen and chilled products, including ready‑to‑eat meals destined for national distribution.
- **Manufacturing:** Heavy‑industry manufacturers use the project‑cargo bay to import steel coils and export fabricated components, taking advantage of rail‑to‑river transshipment to reduce inland haulage costs.
- **Energy:** Coal from the Southern Illinois Basin is delivered via barge to Peoria for further processing, while the port also serves as a conduit for renewable‑energy equipment (e.g., wind‑turbine components).
Fiscal analysis by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity shows that each dollar of cargo throughput at Peoria yields **$4.8** in regional GDP, underscoring the high multiplier effect typical of inland ports that combine waterway and intermodal assets.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Direction | Destination | Mode | Approx. Transit Time |
|-----------|-------------|------|----------------------|
| **Southbound** | Port of New Orleans (Gulf) | Barge → Ocean vessel | 7‑10 days |
| **Northbound** | Minneapolis–St. Paul (Upper Mississippi) | Barge | 4‑6 days |
| **Eastbound** | Chicago (Lake Michigan) | Rail/Truck | 2‑3 hours |
| **Westbound** | Kansas City (Missouri River) | Barge | 3‑5 days |
These corridors align with the **Illinois Waterway** (a 336‑mile navigable system) and integrate with the **Mississippi River**'s extensive Gulf‑to‑Great Lakes network, offering a cost‑effective alternative to all‑truck logistics for bulk and oversized cargoes.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
- **Grains & Oilseeds:** Corn, soybeans, and wheat dominate the bulk cargo mix, accounting for roughly **45 %** of total throughput (≈ 1.5 Mt/yr).
- **Agrifood Products:** Frozen vegetables, processed meats, and ready‑to‑eat meals constitute **20 %** of cargo, facilitated by the refrigerated terminal.
- **Industrial Materials:** Iron ore, steel billets, and construction aggregates (sand, gravel) together represent **15 %** of handling volume.
- **Project Cargo:** Heavy machinery, turbine components, and prefabricated structures comprise the remaining **20 %**, often requiring multimodal lift‑on/lift‑off operations.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
The port’s adoption of **green‑port technologies**—including shore‑power for docked vessels and low‑emission towboats—positions it to capture a growing share of environmentally‑conscious shippers. Additionally, the Illinois River’s recent inclusion in the **U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s “Midwest River Corridor”** initiative opens avenues for expanded containerized freight, particularly for high‑value agricultural exports destined for European and Asian markets via the Gulf of Mexico.
**External References**
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, *Illinois Waterway Navigation* – https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/IllinoisWaterway/
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity – https://www2.illinois.gov/dcbo
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*The Port of Peoria exemplifies the strategic relevance of inland waterways within the United States’ broader maritime logistics framework. By continuously modernizing its infrastructure, diversifying cargo capabilities, and integrating sustainable practices, Peoria remains a vital conduit for Midwestern commerce and a model for the next generation of multimodal ports.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USPIA
Country
United States
Province / Region
Illinois
Latitude
40.693649
Longitude
-89.588986
Timezone
America/Chicago
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Peoria?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Peoria is USPIA.
Where is Port of Peoria located?
The Port of Peoria is located in United States, Illinois. Its coordinates are 40.6936°N, -89.5890°E.
What time zone is Port of Peoria in?
Port of Peoria operates in the America/Chicago 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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