UN/LOCODE: USSFO📍 United States
Port of San Francisco (UN/LOCODE USSFO)
❖ Coordinates: 37.7749°N, -122.4194°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USSFO
## About the Port
The Port of San Francisco (UN/LOCODE: USSFO) is a deep‑water harbor situated on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula at latitude 37.7749295, longitude -122.4194155. Operated by the San Francisco Port Commission, the facility serves as a gateway for containerized cargo, breakbulk, project cargo, and cruise operations. The port operates in the America/Los_Angeles time zone (UTC‑8/UTC‑7 DST) and benefits from a natural deep‑water channel maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to a controlling depth of 55 ft (16.8 m) at mean lower low water. Its strategic location on the Pacific coast provides direct access to trans‑Pacific trade lanes and the inland rail network via the Union Pacific and BNSF intermodal yards at the nearby Oakland and Richmond terminals.
## History
### Early Development
San Francisco’s maritime heritage dates to the 1776 establishment of the Presidio and Mission Dolores, but commercial port activity accelerated after the 1848 Gold Rush. The original waterfront consisted of wooden wharves that quickly proved inadequate for the surge in shipping volume. In 1863 the Board of State Harbor Commissioners was created, leading to the construction of the first concrete pier at Ferry Building in 1898.
### 20th Century Expansion
The 1915 Panama‑Pacific International Exposition spurred massive dredging and the creation of the Embarcadero seawall, adding 3,200 ft of berthing space. During World War II the port became a critical logistics hub for the Pacific Theater, handling over 1.5 million tons of military cargo annually. Post‑war containerization in the 1960s prompted the development of the Pier 70 and Pier 80 container terminals, which were later consolidated into the modern 84‑acre container facility at Pier 90/94.
### Modern Era
Since the 1990s the port has pursued a “green port” strategy, investing in shore‑power infrastructure, electric cargo handling equipment, and a comprehensive stormwater management system. In 2022 the port handled 1.3 million TEU, ranking it among the top 15 U.S. container ports by volume. The Port of San Francisco continues to balance commercial operations with its iconic waterfront public spaces.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Container Terminals
- **Pier 90/94** – 84 acres, 4 post‑Panamax ship‑to‑shore cranes (capacity 1.2 M TEU/yr), 12 rubber‑tyred gantry cranes, on‑dock rail with 4 track spurs.
- **Pier 80** – 30 acres dedicated to breakbulk and project cargo, equipped with 2 mobile harbor cranes (120 t lift) and heavy‑lift pad.
### Breakbulk & Specialized Berths
- **Pier 70** – Historic shipyard converted to multi‑purpose berths for steel, forest products, and roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) vessels.
- **Fisherman’s Wharf** – Passenger cruise terminal with 2 shore‑power enabled berths accommodating vessels up to 1,200 ft LOA.
### Intermodal Connectivity
Direct rail access via the **San Francisco Belt Railroad** connects to the Union Pacific mainline at Oakland. The port also operates a dedicated truck gate with automated appointment system (TAS) to reduce dwell time. The **Port of San Francisco** website provides real‑time berth scheduling and cargo tracking. Port of San Francisco↗
### Environmental Infrastructure
Shore‑power (Cold Ironing) installed at all container berths reduces vessel emissions by an estimated 2,500 t CO₂/yr. A 1.2 MW solar array on the administration building supplies 15 % of terminal electricity demand. The port’s stormwater treatment system captures 95 % of runoff before discharge to the Bay.
## Economic Importance
The Port of San Francisco generates an estimated **$23 billion** in annual economic activity for the Bay Area, supporting over **120,000** direct and indirect jobs. Containerized trade accounts for 68 % of total cargo value, with high‑value electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive parts dominating inbound flows. Export commodities include agricultural products (almonds, wine), machinery, and recycled metals.
Cruise operations contribute approximately **$1.2 billion** in passenger spending each season, with 250,000+ embarkations annually. The port’s real‑estate portfolio — comprising 1,200 acres of waterfront land — yields lease revenue that funds capital improvements and community programs. A 2023 economic impact study by the **San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association** highlighted the port’s role as a catalyst for regional logistics clusters, particularly in the East Bay’s inland rail corridors. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers↗
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
- **Trans‑Pacific** – Direct calls from Shanghai, Ningbo‑Zhoushan, Busan, and Yokohama via the Pacific Northwest and California Current.
- **Asia‑West Coast** – Feeder services from the Port of Oakland and Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach redistribute cargo to San Francisco for niche markets.
- **Domestic Coastal** – Jones Act‑qualified barge and RoRo services link to Portland, Seattle, and San Diego.
### Major Inbound Commodities
1. **Consumer Electronics** – Semiconductors, smartphones, and peripherals (average 250,000 TEU/yr).
2. **Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices** – Temperature‑controlled containers requiring reefers (15 % of inbound TEU).
3. **Automotive Parts** – Just‑in‑time components for Bay Area assembly plants.
### Major Outbound Commodities
1. **Agricultural Exports** – Almonds (300,000 t), wine (120,000 t), and specialty fruits.
2. **Recycled Metals** – Ferrous and non‑ferrous scrap to Asian mills.
3. **Industrial Machinery** – Construction equipment and turbine components.
### Emerging Trends
The port is positioning itself for **hydrogen‑fuel logistics** with a pilot bunkering facility slated for 2026, and expanding **cold‑chain capacity** to capture growing perishable trade from Latin America. Digital initiatives — blockchain‑based bill‑of‑lading exchange and AI‑driven yard optimization — aim to reduce average vessel turnaround from 36 hours to under 28 hours by 2028.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USSFO
Country
United States
Province / Region
California
Latitude
37.774929
Longitude
-122.419415
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of San Francisco?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of San Francisco is USSFO.
Where is Port of San Francisco located?
The Port of San Francisco is located in United States, California. Its coordinates are 37.7749°N, -122.4194°E.
What time zone is Port of San Francisco in?
Port of San Francisco 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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