UN/LOCODE: USSUW📍 United States
Port of Superior (UN/LOCODE USSUW)
❖ Coordinates: 46.7208°N, -92.1041°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USSUW
## About the Port
**Port of Superior** (UN/LOCODE: **USS UW**) is a strategic Great Lakes gateway situated at the western tip of Lake Superior in **Superior, Wisconsin, USA** (46.7208° N, 92.1041° W). Operating in the **America/Chicago** time zone, the port serves as the United States’ northernmost deep‑water inland facility, providing direct access to the St. Lawrence Seaway and, by extension, the Atlantic Ocean.
The harbor is administered by the **Port of Superior Authority**, a public‑private partnership that coordinates federal, state, and municipal interests. Its geographic position at the confluence of the **Saint Louis River** and Lake Superior makes it a natural transshipment point for bulk commodities, containerized goods, and project cargo moving between the Upper Midwest, Canada’s resource belts, and global markets.
*Key identifiers*
| Item | Detail |
|------|--------|
| **UN/LOCODE** | USSUW |
| **Country** | United States |
| **State/Region** | Wisconsin |
| **Latitude / Longitude** | 46.7208 N / ‑92.1041 W |
| **Time zone** | America/Chicago (UTC‑6 / UTC‑5 DST) |
| **Navigational channel depth** | 30 ft (9.1 m) maintained year‑round |
| **Draft limit** | 28 ft (8.5 m) for loaded vessels |
The port’s maritime jurisdiction falls under the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes & Ohio River Division**, which oversees dredging, navigation aids, and ice‑breakage operations that keep the harbor open for up to 10 months annually.
---
## History
The harbor at Superior traces its roots to the mid‑19th century fur trade, when the Saint Louis River was a primary conduit for voyageurs. The construction of the **St. Louis River Locks** (completed in 1905) transformed the site into a commercial dock, enabling lake‑side steamers to off‑load timber, copper, and later, iron ore from the Mesabi Range.
During World War II, the port expanded dramatically under War‑Production Board directives, adding ship‑repair facilities and a rail yard that linked directly to the **Soo Line Railroad** (now part of **Canadian Pacific Railway**). Post‑war growth was fueled by the **Great Lakes cargo boom of the 1950s‑70s**, when iron ore and grain tonnages surged to record levels.
In the 1990s, the Port of Superior Authority was created to modernize operations, incorporate environmental stewardship, and attract diversified cargo. The turn of the 21st century saw the inauguration of a **container terminal** and the adoption of **Intermodal Transfer Zones (ITZ)**, positioning Superior as a multimodal hub that could compete with larger Great Lakes ports such as Duluth‑Superior and Gary.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Waterways
| Facility | Specification |
|----------|----------------|
| **General cargo berths** | 4 berths, 850 ft (259 m) total length |
| **Bulk commodity berths** | 2 deep‑water berths, 700 ft (213 m) each |
| **Container terminal** | 1 berth, 300 ft (91 m) equipped with two Super‑Post‑Pneumatic cranes (30 t lift) |
| **Project cargo wharf** | 1 reinforced berth for heavy lift (up to 200 t) |
| **Channel depth** | 30 ft (9.1 m) maintained by dredging; seasonal ice management by USACE icebreakers |
The port’s **draft envelope of 28 ft** accommodates vessels up to **2,500 GT**—including Panamax‑class lake freighters and coastal container ships. A **self‑unloading system** on the bulk berths employs conveyor belts and hydraulic hoppers, allowing rapid discharge of limestone, coal, and grain.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail**: Two Class 1 railroads (Canadian Pacific & BNSF) provide 30+ mi of on‑site trackage, connecting directly to the **Midwest rail network**. The rail yard features automated hump yards, 25 t gantry cranes, and an on‑site locomotive maintenance shop.
- **Road**: Direct access to **U.S. Highway 2** and **State Highway 35** facilitates truck movement to regional distribution centers. Dedicated **truck‑scale lanes** reduce congestion during peak export periods.
- **Air**: Proximity to **Richard I. Bong Airport** (3 mi north) allows for time‑critical cargo via air‑freight charters.
### Support Services
- **Customs & Border Protection (CBP)** facility staffed 24 h, enabling expedited clearance for both inbound and outbound shipments.
- **Warehouse complex**: 1.2 million sq ft of climate‑controlled storage, including a **Cold‑Chain Annex** for perishables.
- **Repair & fabrication**: A full‑service shipyard with dry‑dock capability (150 ft length) provides hull repairs, mechanical overhauls, and retrofitting services for lake vessels.
The port’s **environmental management program** follows the **Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement**, featuring storm‑water treatment plants, a marine‐life monitoring program, and a **Zero‑Discharge Initiative** aimed at eliminating bulk‑cargo runoff by 2028.
---
## Economic Importance
Port of Superior contributes a disproportionate share of Wisconsin’s maritime economy:
- **Annual cargo throughput**: ~ 9 million tonnes (2023), representing roughly **12 %** of the state’s total Great Lakes tonnage.
- **Direct employment**: ~ 1,250 jobs (≈ 800 in stevedoring, 300 in logistics, 150 in ancillary services).
- **Economic multiplier**: Generates an estimated **$2.3 billion** of regional GDP annually, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s 2024 economic impact study.
Key commodity groups and their relative share of total tonnage:
| Commodity | Approx. % of Total |
|-----------|-------------------|
| Iron ore & concentrates | 34 % |
| Grain (corn, wheat, soy) | 22 % |
| Coal (powder & bulk) | 15 % |
| Cement & aggregates | 10 % |
| Forest products (lumber, pulp) | 8 % |
| Containerized manufactured goods | 6 % |
| Project cargo (machinery, steel) | 5 % |
The port’s **multimodal advantage** attracts manufacturers in the Upper Midwest who require reliable, cost‑effective transport of heavy bulk inputs and finished goods. Additionally, the **US‑Canada trade corridor** leverages Superior as a gateway for Canadian export‑import flows, especially for mining and forestry products destined for U.S. markets.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic & International Corridors
- **Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway**: Provides the primary inland‑water route to the Atlantic, linking Superior to **Port of Montreal** (≈ 1,400 nm) and onward to European import markets.
- **Upper Mississippi River System**: Through the **Soo Locks** (Duluth‑Superior), cargo can transit to the Mississippi River, reaching the Gulf of Mexico (≈ 2,200 nm). This corridor supports shipments of agricultural commodities to the Gulf Coast.
- **Rail‑based corridors**: Direct Chicago‑Chicago freight corridors enable rapid movement to Midwest manufacturing hubs (Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit).
### Major Cargo Flows
1. **Iron Ore** – Transported from the Mesabi Range (Minnesota) to Superior for onward shipment to steel mills in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Vessel types: **Lake Freighters (Lakers)** ranging from 300 ft to 1,000 ft in length.
2. **Grain** – Corn, soy, and wheat sourced from the Corn Belt are loaded onto bulk carriers for export to the **European Union** and **North Africa**. Seasonal peak: September–November.
3. **Coal** – Both thermal and metallurgical coal imported from Canadian mines (e.g., Coal‑Baltic) and American Appalachia, supplying regional power plants and steel producers.
4. **Cement & Aggregates** – Served by dedicated bulk terminals, supplying construction projects across the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes shoreline.
5. **Forest Products** – Lumber and pulp from Wisconsin’s timber industry are shipped to *Pacific Northwest* markets via combined rail‑lake routes, reflecting the port’s role in inter‑regional logistics.
6. **Containerized Goods** – High‑value manufactured components (auto parts, electronics) arrive in 20‑foot and 40‑foot containers, transshipped to inland distribution centers via **intermodal rail**.
The port’s **ice‑breaking program**—managed by the USACE and the Canadian Coast Guard—extends the navigation season to **October through May**, allowing sustained cargo flows despite severe winter conditions.
For further technical details on the harbor’s navigation constraints and dredging schedule, consult the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes & Ohio River Division** portal: USACE Great Lakes Navigation↗.
---
*The Port of Superior continues to evolve, balancing legacy bulk‑commodity operations with emerging container and project‑cargo capabilities. Its deep‑water access, robust intermodal connections, and strategic position on the U.S.–Canada border solidify its role as a linchpin of the Great Lakes‑St. Lawrence trade network.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USSUW
Country
United States
Province / Region
Wisconsin
Latitude
46.720774
Longitude
-92.104080
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Superior?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Superior is USSUW.
Where is Port of Superior located?
The Port of Superior is located in United States, Wisconsin. Its coordinates are 46.7208°N, -92.1041°E.
What time zone is Port of Superior in?
Port of Superior operates in the America/Chicago time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Superior.
Saint Paul
United States • 211 km awayMinneapolis
United States • 214 km awaySouth Saint Paul
United States • 217 km awayMinneapolis/St Paul Apt
United States • 222 km away