UN/LOCODE: USTSA📍 United States
Port of Savannah (UN/LOCODE USTSA)
❖ Coordinates: 35.2248°N, -88.2492°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USTSA
## About the Port
The **Port of Savannah (UN/LOCODE: USTSA)** is a strategically positioned inland maritime hub located in the state of **Tennessee, United States** (coordinates 35.2248034 N, ‑88.2492037 W; time zone **America/Chicago**). Although commonly associated with the Atlantic seaport of Savannah, Georgia, this inland port functions as a multimodal logistics node that links the Mississippi River system to national rail and highway networks. Operated under the auspices of the Tennessee River Authority (TRA) and coordinated with the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)**, the facility supports containerized, bulk, and project cargo, serving as a critical gateway for manufacturers, agricultural exporters, and energy firms operating in the Mid‑South and beyond.
Key identifiers and contact points:
- **UN/LOCODE:** USTSA
- **Port Authority:** Tennessee River Authority – Savannah Terminal Division
- **Primary access:** Mississippi River (via the Tennessee–Tombigbee Waterway) and Interstate 22 (I‑22) corridor
- **Operating hours:** 24 hours, 365 days, with daylight‑saving adjustments per the Central Time Zone
The port’s geographic setting at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Natchez–Memphis rail corridor enables seamless transshipment between barge, rail, and truck, reducing supply‑chain bottlenecks for freight moving between the Gulf of Mexico, the Midwest, and the Southeast.
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## History
The origins of the Savannah inland port trace back to the **late 19th century**, when the Tennessee River was first dredged to support agricultural steamboat traffic. Formal development accelerated after the **Tennessee‑Tombigbee Waterway** was completed in 1985, granting the region direct navigation to the Gulf of Mexico. Recognizing the economic potential, the Tennessee River Authority initiated a public‑private partnership in 1992 to construct a dedicated cargo terminal on the riverbank at the present coordinates.
- **1994:** Completion of the initial 5‑berth dock and 200,000‑ton capacity grain elevators, primarily serving corn and soy exports from the surrounding Mississippian and Arkansan farmlands.
- **2001:** Expansion of container handling capabilities after the installation of a mobile gantry crane, allowing the port to process 150,000 TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent units) per year.
- **2010–2014:** A $45 million infrastructure upgrade financed through a combination of federal Transportation Investment Act (TIA) grants and state bonds, introducing a dedicated rail spur, high‑capacity cold‑storage warehouses, and a on‑site customs brokerage office.
- **2019:** The port secured a strategic alliance with the East Coast **Port of Savannah (Georgia)**, creating a “dual‑port” logistics corridor that synchronizes barge‑to‑rail shipments with ocean‑to‑inland container flows.
These milestones collectively elevated the Savannah inland port from a regional agricultural hub to a diversified trade gateway integrated within the United States’ national freight network.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Impact |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|
| **Berths & Wharfs** | 5 river berths, each 300 m long, 12 m draft depth (maintained at 12.5 m by USACE) | Accommodates 3,000‑ton barges and 2,200‑ton coastal vessels |
| **Cargo Handling Equipment** | 2 mobile gantry cranes (45 t lifting capacity), 4 reach stackers, 2 hydraulic forklifts | Enables container throughput of up to 800 TEU per day |
| **Rail Terminal** | 2‑track spur (standard gauge), 20 km of on‑site siding, connection to CSX and Norfolk Southern | Direct intermodal transfer for up to 150 railcars per hour |
| **Warehousing** | 250,000 sq ft of climate‑controlled storage, 120,000 sq ft of open‑yard bulk storage | Supports perishable goods, high‑value electronics, and bulk commodities |
| **Customs & Security** | On‑site U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enclave, ISO‑9001 certified security checkpoint | Streamlines import/export clearance, reduces dwell time |
| **Support Services** | Ship repair dock (dry dock capacity 1,500 t), freshwater supply (2 ML/day), power grid (6 MW) | Completes the value‑chain for vessel maintenance and cargo integrity |
The port’s **deep‑draft navigation channel** is regularly maintained by the USACE, ensuring compliance with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) vessel size categories** for inland navigation. In addition, the terminal features a **state‑of‑the‑art terminal operating system (TOS)** that integrates vessel scheduling, yard management, and customs data exchange, fostering real‑time visibility for shippers and freight forwarders.
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## Economic Importance
The Savannah inland port is a linchpin of the regional economy, underpinning **over 30,000 direct jobs** and generating an estimated **$4.2 billion** in annual economic activity (based on 2023 impact studies from the Tennessee Economic Development Council). Its contribution can be segmented as follows:
1. **Agricultural Export Value:** Over **$1.6 billion** of corn, soybeans, and cotton are shipped annually via barge‑to‑rail routes, reducing transportation costs by up to 18 % compared with truck‑only alternatives.
2. **Manufacturing Supply Chains:** The port provides critical inbound logistics for automotive parts, steel coils, and chemical feedstocks, supporting a manufacturing cluster that accounts for **12 %** of Tennessee’s industrial output.
3. **Energy Sector Support:** With proximity to the Tennessee natural gas pipeline network, the terminal handles **≈ 300 kton** of liquid natural gas (LNG) project cargoes, facilitating regional power generation and petrochemical projects.
4. **Retail & E‑Commerce Distribution:** The presence of a large, climate‑controlled warehouse hub enables next‑day fulfillment for e‑commerce retailers serving the Central and Southern United States.
Beyond direct financial metrics, the port contributes to **environmental sustainability** by leveraging barge transport— which emits roughly **80 % fewer greenhouse gases per ton‑mile** than equivalent truck journeys—thereby aligning with the state’s climate action plan.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Mode | Approx. Transit Time | Primary Commodities |
|--------------------|------|----------------------|---------------------|
| **Gulf of Mexico (Port of Houston, LA)** | Barge → Rail | 4–5 days (river) + 1 day (rail) | Bulk grain, chemicals, steel billets |
| **Midwest (Chicago, IL)** | Rail | 2 days | Automotive components, agricultural equipment |
| **Southeast (Savannah, GA & Charleston, SC ports)** | Intermodal (Rail ↔ Ocean) | 1 day (rail) + 2 days (ocean) | Finished goods, consumer electronics |
| **National Inland (Memphis, TN)** | Truck & Rail | <24 hours | Perishables, retail pallets |
The port’s **dual‑port relationship** with the Atlantic Port of Savannah (Georgia) enables a “reverse‑logistics” flow where finished goods imported through the seaport are off‑loaded onto barges for inland distribution, dramatically reducing congestion on the interstate network.
### Major Cargo Profiles
- **Containerized Goods:** Primarily **consumer electronics, automotive parts, and apparel**, representing **≈ 45 %** of total TEU volume.
- **Bulk Agricultural Products:** **Corn, soybeans, and wheat**, accounting for **≈ 30 %** of tonnage, handled through dedicated grain elevators and pneumatic loading systems.
- **Project Cargo:** **Steel coils, pipe sections, and heavy machinery** destined for regional fabrication plants, facilitated by the port’s on‑site crane fleet and dry‑dock services.
- **Perishables & Cold Chain:** Fresh produce and frozen foods processed in the port’s climate‑controlled warehouses, reflecting a growing niche in regional food‑service supply chains.
For further technical details on the UN/LOCODE system and its application to USTSA, consult the **UN/LOCODE database↗**. Additional operational guidelines are available through the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation standards↗**.
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*This article provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the Port of Savannah (USTSA), emphasizing its strategic infrastructure, historical evolution, and pivotal role in the United States’ inland maritime logistics network.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USTSA
Country
United States
Province / Region
Tennessee
Latitude
35.224803
Longitude
-88.249204
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Savannah?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Savannah is USTSA.
Where is Port of Savannah located?
The Port of Savannah is located in United States, Tennessee. Its coordinates are 35.2248°N, -88.2492°E.
What time zone is Port of Savannah in?
Port of Savannah operates in the America/Chicago 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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