UN/LOCODE: USPWN📍 United States
Port of Port Wentworth (UN/LOCODE USPWN)
❖ Coordinates: 32.1491°N, -81.1632°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USPWN
## About the Port
Port Wentworth (UN/LOCODE: **USPWN**) is a deep‑water cargo hub located just south‑west of Savannah, Georgia, at **32.149092 °N, ‑81.163168 °W**. It operates within the **America/New_York** time zone and falls under the jurisdiction of the **Georgia Ports Authority (GPA)**. The port is strategically positioned at the mouth of the **Savannah River**, providing a natural, 24‑hour navigable channel that accommodates vessels up to **9,000 TEU**. Its proximity to the **Interstate‑16** corridor and the **Railroad Network of CSX and Norfolk Southern** makes Port Wentworth a key intermodal node for the southeastern United States.
The site spans roughly **1,800 acres**, of which **650 acres** are dedicated to container handling, bulk storage, and logistical support facilities. The port’s modern **14‑meter (45 ft) draft** aligns with the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) specifications for post‑Panamax ships, enabling efficient service to both Atlantic and Gulf trade lanes.
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## History
### Early Development (19th century – 1960)
The origins of Port Wentworth trace back to the **Savannah Harbor** improvements undertaken in the 1820s, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began dredging the Savannah River to support cotton exports. By the late 19th century, a modest wharf existed at the present‑day Wentworth site, primarily serving timber and naval stores.
### Expansion under the Georgia Ports Authority (1960‑1990)
In **1969**, the Georgia Ports Authority was created to oversee public‑owned ports in the state. Port Wentworth’s transformation accelerated in the **1970s**, when GPA secured federal funding for a **new container terminal** and deepening of the river channel to 12 meters. The first container ship docked in **1978**, marking the port’s shift from bulk to containerized cargo.
### Modernization Era (1990‑present)
A series of capital projects in the 1990s and 2000s, including the **construction of the Savannah Commerce Campus** and the **implementation of a computerized terminal operating system (TOS)**, cemented Port Wentworth’s role as a premier gateway for the U.S. East Coast. The 2015 **$150 million expansion** added two 1,000‑foot berths, advanced gantry crane technology, and on‑site refrigerated container yards (reefers). Recent investments focus on **automation**, **green‑port initiatives**, and **rail‑to‑port connectivity**, ensuring compliance with the **ISO 9001** quality management standard and the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**.
*For a detailed chronology, see the GPA’s archival timeline* (Georgia Ports Authority)↗.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **Two deep‑water berths** (1,200 ft each) equipped with **Super‑Post‑Panamax gantry cranes** (max outreach 65 m).
- **Four on‑dock rail tracks** delivering **35 %** of the terminal’s throughput directly to the national rail network.
- **120-acre container yard**, including **15 acres of refrigerated (reefer) storage** capable of handling **5,000 TEU** of perishable goods.
### Bulk & Project Cargo
- **400,000 sq ft of open storage** for bulk commodities such as **cocoa beans, forest products, and aggregates**.
- **Heavy‑lift crane (150‑ton capacity)** for project cargo, facilitating the import of **machinery, wind‑turbine components, and oversized steel**.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Dedicated Express Truck Lanes** to Interstate‑16 and Interstate‑95, reducing truck dwell time to **under 30 minutes**.
- **Rail‑to‑Port Facility (RPF)** with **dual‑track 25‑km sidings**, supporting **double‑stack container trains** up to **3,000 ft** in length.
### Supporting Services
- **Customs Bonded Warehouse** (70,000 sq ft) meeting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements.
- **Advanced Terminal Operating System (TOS)** integrated with **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)**, offering real‑time vessel‑arrival notifications and cargo tracking.
- **Environmental Management**: Shore‑side wastewater treatment, air‑emission scrubbing, and participation in the **Port of Savannah Green Port Initiative**, targeting a **30 % reduction in CO₂ per TEU by 2030**.
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## Economic Importance
Port Wentworth is a linchpin of Georgia’s logistics ecosystem, generating **approximately $31 billion** in annual economic output and supporting **over 70,000 jobs** statewide—directly through dock operations and indirectly via supply‑chain services. The port handles **≈ 2.0 million TEU** per year, accounting for **45 %** of the total container volume processed by the Georgia Ports Authority.
### Trade Facilitation
- **Export‑oriented industries**: **Agricultural commodities** (especially peanuts, pecans, and fresh produce) rely on Port Wentworth’s refrigerated capacity for time‑critical shipments to **European Union** and **Middle Eastern** markets.
- **Import‑driven manufacturers**: **Automotive parts, chemicals, and consumer electronics** are off‑loaded at Wentworth before distribution across the **Southeast Corridor**.
### Fiscal Contributions
- **Tariff and port fees** generate **≈ $700 million** in state revenue annually.
- **Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) 95** at the port provide duty‑deferral benefits, stimulating **foreign direct investment (FDI)** and encouraging **value‑added processing** on-site.
### Competitive Edge
Port Wentworth’s **deep‑draft channel** enables larger vessels, reducing per‑container shipping costs relative to competing Gulf ports. Its **quick turnaround times** (average **24 hours** vessel dwell) and **robust rail links** position the port as a preferred entry point for **Just‑In‑Time (JIT)** supply chains in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Region | Dominant Shipping Routes | Typical Vessel Types |
|--------|---------------------------|----------------------|
| **North America** | Savannah ⇄ New York/Philadelphia (East Coast) | Feeder & Panamax |
| **Europe** | Savannah ⇄ Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp | Post‑Panamax |
| **Latin America** | Savannah ⇄ Brazil (Santos), Chile (Valparaíso) | Ultra‑Large Container Ship (ULCS) |
| **Asia** | Savannah ⇄ Shanghai, Busan, Singapore (via Panama Canal) | ULCS & Container‑Only Vessels |
| **Middle East** | Savannah ⇄ Dubai (Jebel Ali) | VLCC‑compatible carriers (for bulk) |
The port’s **Panamax‑compatible draft** allows it to capture a growing share of **Panama Canal‑expanded** traffic, especially container vessels ranging from **12,000‑14,000 TEU**.
### Cargo Mix
- **Containerized Goods (≈ 70 % of throughput)**
- **Automotive parts & finished vehicles** (North American OEMs)
- **Fresh produce & perishables** (Georgia agribusiness)
- **Consumer electronics and apparel** (imports from Asia)
- **Bulk & Break‑Bulk**
- **Forest products** (lumber, plywood) – historically the port’s backbone.
- **Chemicals & petrochemicals** – transferred via dedicated tank farms and pipelines.
- **Project Cargo**
- **Wind‑turbine components** for offshore farms along the Atlantic seaboard.
- **Heavy machinery** for construction and mining sectors.
### Emerging Trends
The **rise of e‑commerce** has spurred demand for **high‑speed, temperature‑controlled handling**, prompting GPA to install **automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** and **AI‑driven predictive maintenance** on the Wentworth terminal. Simultaneously, **sustainability pressures** are leading shippers to favor ports offering **low‑sulfur fuel bunkering** and **electrified shore power (cold ironing)**—services already available at Port Wentworth.
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**Port Wentworth** stands as a modern, resilient maritime gateway that blends deep‑water capability with cutting‑edge logistics infrastructure. Its continued investment in automation, intermodal efficiency, and environmental stewardship ensures that it will remain a decisive factor in the United States’ Atlantic trade for decades to come.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USPWN
Country
United States
Province / Region
Georgia
Latitude
32.149092
Longitude
-81.163168
Timezone
America/New_York
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Wentworth?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Wentworth is USPWN.
Where is Port of Port Wentworth located?
The Port of Port Wentworth is located in United States, Georgia. Its coordinates are 32.1491°N, -81.1632°E.
What time zone is Port of Port Wentworth in?
Port of Port Wentworth operates in the America/New_York 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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