UN/LOCODE: USSAC📍 United States
Port of Sacramento (UN/LOCODE USSAC)
❖ Coordinates: 38.5700°N, -121.4800°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USSAC
## About the Port
The Port of Sacramento (UN/LOCODE: **USSAC**) is a strategically located inland river port on the Sacramento River, approximately 70 nautical miles (130 km) northeast of the San Francisco Bay. Situated at **38.57° N, ‑121.48° W** and operating under the **America/Los_Angeles** time zone, the port serves as a critical logistics gateway for the Central Valley’s agricultural heartland, as well as a hub for bulk, break‑bulk, and containerized cargo moving between the Pacific coast and inland United States markets. Managed by the **Port of Sacramento Authority**, the facility leverages deep‑draft navigation channels, intermodal rail connections, and state‑of‑the‑art warehousing to facilitate seamless supply‑chain integration.
### Key Identifiers
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **Port Name** | Port of Sacramento |
| **UN/LOCODE** | USSAC |
| **Country** | United States |
| **State / Province** | California |
| **Latitude / Longitude** | 38.57 N / ‑121.48 W |
| **Timezone** | America/Los_Angeles (UTC‑08:00 / UTC‑07:00 DST) |
| **Managing Authority** | Port of Sacramento Authority |
| **Primary Waterway** | Sacramento River (tributary of the San Joaquin River) |
## History
The origins of the Sacramento port trace back to the mid‑19th century Gold Rush, when the Sacramento River became the primary conduit for miners, merchants, and agricultural produce moving between the interior valleys and the Pacific coast. Formal port operations began in **1850**, shortly after California attained statehood, when a rudimentary wharf was constructed to accommodate sailing ships and early steamers.
During the early 1900s, the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers** deepened the river channel to a consistent **35 ft** (≈10.7 m) draft, enabling larger steamships and the first steel‑hull cargo vessels to reach the inland dockyard. The 1920s saw the establishment of grain elevators and a municipal cold‑storage complex, cementing Sacramento’s role as the “Breadbasket Gateway” for export‑bound wheat, barley, and rice.
World War II precipitated a temporary surge in military logistics, with the port handling ammunition, fuel, and troop movements. Post‑war, the port pivoted back to civilian trade, witnessing a modernization wave in the 1970s that introduced container handling equipment and the first intermodal rail yard. In **1994**, the Port of Sacramento Authority was created under California state law to oversee strategic development, safety, and environmental compliance.
Today, the port’s century‑plus evolution reflects a shift from river‑borne steamboats to sophisticated multimodal operations, positioning it as a model of sustainable inland maritime infrastructure.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Marine Docks
- **Deep‑Water Berth**: A 1,200‑ft (≈366 m) berth capable of accommodating vessels up to **35 ft** draft, including Panamax‑size container ships and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) cargo carriers.
- **Bulk Terminal**: Two dedicated berths for grain, fertilizer, and mineral aggregates, equipped with conveyor systems, ship loaders, and pneumatic discharge units.
- **Cold‑Storage Wharf**: A 600‑ft (≈183 m) refrigerated dock with a combined 1.2 million‑square‑foot cold‑room capacity, essential for perishable produce such as citrus, nuts, and dairy.
### Intermodal Connections
- **Rail**: Direct access to **Union Pacific** and **BNSF** rail networks via a 4‑track yard, supporting double‑stack container operations and bulk commodity loading. The rail yard offers a **30 km** loop for train assembly and dispatch.
- **Road**: Proximity to **Interstate 80** and **State Route 99** ensures rapid truck distribution across the western United States. Dedicated truck inspection bays streamline customs and phytosanitary checks.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity / Function |
|-----------|---------------------|
| **Ship‑to‑Shore Cranes** | 45 ton lift, 23 m outreach (container handling) |
| **Heavy‑Lift Gantry Cranes** | 100 ton lift for industrial machinery |
| **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** | 24/7 pallet movement within the warehouse zone |
| **Rail‑Mounted Forklifts** | 40 ton lift for bulk bag loading |
### Ancillary Facilities
- **Customs & Inspection Pavilion**: Certified U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility; provides Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) processing.
- **Environmental Management Center**: Operates water‑quality monitoring stations on the Sacramento River and enforces the Port’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
- **Digital Port Platform**: A cloud‑based logistics portal offering real‑time berth availability, cargo tracking, and electronic documentation (e‑BOL).
For a detailed technical overview, see the **California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) River Navigation Report**[^1].
## Economic Importance
### Regional Supply Chain Backbone
The Port of Sacramento underpins a **$15 billion** annual economic impact for California’s Central Valley, supporting roughly **45,000** direct and indirect jobs. Its multimodal capabilities enable agricultural producers to ship **over 9 million tons** of grain, fruit, and nuts each year, reducing reliance on overland trucking and cutting carbon emissions by an estimated **12 percent** compared with coastal‑only routes.
### Trade‑Driven Revenue
- **Export Value**: In 2023, the port recorded **$4.8 billion** in export cargo, dominated by **grain (45 %)**, **fresh produce (30 %)**, and **industrial chemicals (15 %)**.
- **Import Value**: Imports totaled **$2.3 billion**, with the principal commodities being **automotive parts**, **machinery**, and **building materials**.
### Fiscal Contributions
Port‑generated tax revenues contribute to **state and local budgets**, funding infrastructure upgrades, workforce training programs, and community resilience initiatives (e.g., flood mitigation projects along the Sacramento River).
### Competitive Edge
Compared with neighboring coastal ports such as **Oakland** and **Long Beach**, Sacramento offers:
- **Reduced dwell times** (average 12 hours vs. 18‑24 hours) due to streamlined inland customs and less congestion.
- **Lower freight rates** (average 5‑7 % below coastal benchmarks) stemming from direct rail‑to‑river connections.
- **Proximity to primary production zones**, cutting drayage distances for farm‑gate shipments.
These advantages have attracted major agribusinesses, logistics providers, and multinational manufacturers seeking resilient, cost‑efficient supply‑chain solutions.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Mode | Typical Vessel Types |
|----------------------|------|----------------------|
| **San Francisco Bay → Sacramento** | River barge | Inland barges (15‑30 ft draft) |
| **Pacific Rim (China, Japan, South Korea) → Sacramento** | Container ship → River barge | Panamax & post‑Panamax container vessels |
| **Mid‑west U.S. (Chicago, St. Louis) → Sacramento** | Rail & barge intermodal | Unit trains + barge combos |
| **Southwest U.S. (Arizona, Nevada) → Sacramento** | Truck & rail | Over‑dimensional project cargo |
### Dominant Cargo Categories
1. **Grain & Feedstuffs** – Wheat, barley, and corn from the Central Valley’s extensive farmlands are loaded onto bulk carriers for export to Asia and the Middle East.
2. **Fresh Produce** – Citrus, almonds, pistachios, and grapes are chilled on board via the port’s refrigerated berths, enabling rapid trans‑Pacific shipments.
3. **Petroleum Products** – Approximately **1.2 million tons** of refined fuels and lubricants move annually through dedicated bulk tanks, supporting regional aviation and automotive markets.
4. **Industrial Metals & Minerals** – Copper concentrates, aluminum billets, and construction aggregates are handled at the bulk terminal for downstream manufacturing.
5. **Automotive & Machinery Parts** – Imports of high‑value components arrive in 20‑foot containers, benefiting local assembly plants and aftermarket distributors.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
- **Renewable Energy Equipment** – The growth of solar farms in the Central Valley has spurred demand for imported photovoltaic modules and battery storage units, positioning the port for a new niche in clean‑tech logistics.
- **Cold‑Chain Pharmaceuticals** – Investments in vaccine distribution hubs have prompted upgrades to the port’s temperature‑controlled facilities, aligning with global health supply chains.
The port’s **strategic riverine position** combined with a **robust intermodal network** ensures that it can adapt to shifting trade patterns, supporting both traditional bulk exports and high‑value, time‑sensitive cargoes.
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[^1]: California Department of Transportation, *Sacramento River Navigation and Infrastructure Report*, 2022. Available at: <https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans/research/river-navigation>
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*Keywords: Port of Sacramento, USSAC, California inland port, Sacramento River logistics, intermodal trade, bulk cargo, refrigerated export, maritime infrastructure, Central Valley economy, river barge shipping*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USSAC
Country
United States
Province / Region
California
Latitude
38.570000
Longitude
-121.480000
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Sacramento?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Sacramento is USSAC.
Where is Port of Sacramento located?
The Port of Sacramento is located in United States, California. Its coordinates are 38.5700°N, -121.4800°E.
What time zone is Port of Sacramento in?
Port of Sacramento 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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