UN/LOCODE: USTIW📍 United States
Port of Tacoma (UN/LOCODE USTIW)
❖ Coordinates: 47.2529°N, -122.4443°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USTIW
## About the Port
The **Port of Tacoma** (UN/LOCODE: **USTIW**) is a deep‑water, container‑handling gateway located on Commencement Bay in the state of Washington, United States. Situated at **47.2528768 ° N, -122.4442906 ° W**, the port operates on Pacific Standard Time (America/Los_Angeles) and serves as a critical node in the transpacific supply chain linking the Pacific Northwest to Asia, North America, and beyond. Its strategic position, roughly 30 nautical miles south of Seattle, affords direct access to the **Strait of Juan de Fuca** and the **Pacific Ocean**, enabling vessels of up to 14 meters draft to berth without tidal constraints. The port is governed by a semi‑independent public authority, the **Port of Tacoma Commission**, which oversees commercial, industrial, and recreational activities across approximately 2,400 acres of waterfront and adjacent inland property.
## History
The origins of Tacoma’s maritime relevance date to the late 19th century, when the Northern Pacific Railway selected the site for a terminus that would become the city of Tacoma—“the Gateway to the Pacific.” The **Port of Tacoma** was formally established in **1911**, initially focused on timber export, coal import, and passenger steamship services.
- **World War II** catalyzed massive expansion; the port accommodated military logistics, shipbuilding, and the construction of the **Tacoma Shipyard** (later integrated into the **Tacoma‑Puyallup River Dredging Program**).
- In the **1970s**, containerization reshaped operations, prompting the development of the **Pier 21** container terminal and the creation of the **Intermodal Container Transfer Facility**.
- The **1990s** saw a partnership with the **Seattle‑Tacoma Port Corridor**, a joint economic development effort that enhanced rail connectivity and ushered in modern, high‑bay warehousing.
- A pivotal moment arrived in **2001** when the Port of Tacoma merged its marine operations with the **Port of Seattle** under the **Northwest Seaport Alliance (NSA)**, consolidating container handling while preserving distinct cargo specializations.
Today, the port’s historical trajectory reflects a shift from resource extraction to high‑value, technology‑driven trade, mirroring the broader economic evolution of the Pacific Northwest.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Marine Assets
- **Deep‑Water Berths**: Six berths (including Pier 21, Pier 22, and the **Moorage‑Hancock Terminal**) accommodate vessels up to **40,000 TEU** with a maximum draft of **14 meters**.
- **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (RoRo) Facilities**: Dedicated RoRo ramps enable efficient handling of automobiles, heavy equipment, and break‑bulk cargo.
- **Cold‑Storage Terminals**: Four refrigerated warehouses provide **>400,000 sq ft** of temperature‑controlled space, supporting perishable imports such as seafood and fresh produce.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail**: Three Class I railroads—**BNSF Railway**, **Union Pacific**, and **Canadian National**—intersect the port via the **Northern Pacific Corridor**, delivering **>2 million railcar moves** annually.
- **Highway**: Direct access to **Interstate 5** and **U.S. Route 10** facilitates truck movement, while the **State Route 512** corridor links the port to the **I‑405** bypass.
- **Air**: Proximity to **Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport (SEA)** supports air‑cargo logistics and just‑in‑time supply chain requirements.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs Bonded Warehouses**: Over **30** bonded facilities enable duty‑free storage and value‑added processing.
- **Industrial Parks**: The **Tacoma Industrial Park** hosts aerospace, biotechnology, and renewable‑energy firms, leveraging the port’s access to foreign‑trade zones.
- **Maritime Services**: Pilotage, tug assistance, and a fully equipped **Marine Repair Facility** ensure safe navigation for a diverse vessel fleet.
For a detailed layout of the port’s berth configuration, see the official **Port of Tacoma Master Plan**.[^1]
## Economic Importance
The Port of Tacoma is a linchpin of the Pacific Northwest’s economy, generating **$22 billion** in annual economic activity and supporting **~120,000 jobs** directly and indirectly, according to the latest Port Authority impact study. Key economic contributions include:
- **Trade Volume**: Handles **≈ 4 million TEU** and **≈ 30 million metric tons** of cargo each year, ranking among the top U.S. container ports on the West Coast.
- **Supply‑Chain Resilience**: Serves as a diversification point for shippers seeking alternatives to Seattle’s congested terminals, thereby reducing dwell time and enhancing supply‑chain reliability.
- **Sectoral Impact**: Critical for the **automotive**, **agricultural**, **forest products**, and **technology** sectors; the port’s **Cold‑Chain** capability underpins the Pacific Northwest’s seafood export market, valued at **$4 billion** annually.
- **Tax Revenue**: Contributes over **$500 million** in state and local taxes, funding infrastructure, education, and community development projects.
The port’s strategic initiatives—such as the **Port of Tacoma Clean Energy Program** and the **Automation Project** for container handling—position it to meet emerging sustainability standards while maintaining competitive throughput.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Transpacific Lanes
- **East Asia**: The port’s primary import lanes connect to **Shanghai**, **Busan**, **Yokohama**, and **Hong Kong**, facilitating the flow of consumer electronics, apparel, and automotive parts.
- **Southeast Asia**: Direct services to **Singapore**, **Manila**, and **Vientiane** support the import of textiles, agricultural commodities, and raw minerals.
### Domestic Corridors
- **Coastwise**: Regular feeder services link Tacoma to **Los Angeles**, **San Diego**, and **Oakland**, redistributing containerized cargo throughout the continental United States.
- **Inland Rail**: The **Northern Pacific Corridor** moves goods to the **Midwest** (Chicago, Detroit) and the **Great Plains** (Denver, Minneapolis), leveraging the port’s rail interconnectivity for time‑critical deliveries.
### Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput | Key Origin/Destination |
|------------|----------------------------|------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 55 % | East Asia (imports), West Coast (exports) |
| **Automobiles & Parts** | 12 % | Japan, South Korea, Mexico |
| **Agricultural Products** (grain, soy) | 9 % | Inland U.S. (exports), Canada (imports) |
| **Forest Products** (lumber, pulp) | 7 % | Pacific Northwest (exports) |
| **Project Cargo / Heavy Lift** | 5 % | Global (specialized equipment) |
| **Perishables** (fish, produce) | 4 % | Alaska, Canada (imports), Pacific Rim (exports) |
| **Energy Products** (fuel, LNG) | 3 % | Domestic (imports/exports) |
| **Miscellaneous Break‑Bulk** | 5 % | Global |
The port’s **container terminal**—operated in partnership with **DP World**—employs state‑of‑the‑art **Super‑Post-Panamax gantry cranes** to achieve an average **turnaround time of 1.3 days**, markedly below the West Coast average. In addition, the **RoRo** facilities handle **≈ 200,000 vehicles** annually, supporting the automotive supply chain for manufacturers such as **Toyota** and **Honda**.
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### Outlook
With the **U.S.–China trade dialogue** stabilizing and the **Pacific‑Pacific trade** corridor expanding under the **Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)**, the Port of Tacoma is poised for sustained growth. Investments in **automation**, **green‑port technologies**, and **intermodal efficiency** will further cement its role as a resilient hub in the evolving global maritime network.
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[^1]: Port of Tacoma. *Master Plan 2025*. https://www.porttacoma.com/master-plan (accessed July 2026).
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USTIW
Country
United States
Province / Region
Washington
Latitude
47.252877
Longitude
-122.444291
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tacoma?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tacoma is USTIW.
Where is Port of Tacoma located?
The Port of Tacoma is located in United States, Washington. Its coordinates are 47.2529°N, -122.4443°E.
What time zone is Port of Tacoma in?
Port of Tacoma 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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