UN/LOCODE: USTUL📍 United States
Port of Tulsa (UN/LOCODE USTUL)
❖ Coordinates: 36.1540°N, -95.9928°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Chicago
❖ UN/LOCODE: USTUL
## About the Port
The Port of Tulsa, designated by UN/LOCODE **USTUL**, is an inland port situated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, within the Central Time Zone (America/Chicago). Located at coordinates 36.1539816°N, 95.9927750°W, the port operates within the **McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System**, making it a critical node in the region’s transportation infrastructure despite its landlocked geography. As one of the few inland ports in the United States, Tulsa serves as a gateway for bulk cargo and intermodal freight, connecting to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico via the Arkansas River. The port’s strategic position leverages Oklahoma’s extensive highway and rail networks, facilitating the movement of goods across North America.
## History
While Tulsa itself is not a traditional maritime port, its identity as a logistical hub emerged in the mid-20th century. The **McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System**, completed in 1971, revolutionized cargo transport in Oklahoma by enabling year-round barge traffic along the Arkansas River. This infrastructure development transformed Tulsa into a regional inland port, allowing vessels to navigate from the Gulf of Mexico to Tulsa’s industrial corridor. The port’s growth aligned with Tulsa’s rise as an energy and manufacturing center, particularly in oil refining, petrochemicals, and agriculture. Over time, the facility evolved into a multimodal node, integrating river, rail, and highway transport to serve the Midwest and Great Plains regions.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
The Port of Tulsa’s infrastructure centers on its access to the Arkansas River, which supports barge traffic. Key facilities include:
- **Barge Terminals**: Operated by the **Tulsa District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers**, these terminals handle bulk commodities like grain, coal, and petroleum products. The McClellan-Kerr system’s lock and dam system ensures navigability for vessels up to 1,200 tons.
- **Intermodal Yard**: Rail and truck connections link the port to the **Union Pacific Railroad** and **BNSF Railway**, enabling seamless cargo transfers between inland and coastal destinations.
- **Industrial Parks**: Adjacent zones host heavy industry, including oil storage, chemical processing, and manufacturing, utilizing direct barge access for raw material imports and finished goods exports.
- **Cargo Handling Equipment**: Includes cranes, conveyors, and conveyor systems tailored for dry bulk and liquid cargo.
The port’s inland location necessitates efficient road and rail connectivity, with proximity to Interstate Highways 44 and 35, reducing transit times to major metropolitan areas like Kansas City and Dallas.
## Economic Importance
Tulsa’s port plays a pivotal role in Oklahoma’s economy, contributing over $1 billion annually to the regional GDP. Key economic contributions include:
- **Agricultural Exports**: Farmers rely on the port to ship wheat, soybeans, and other grains to international markets via the Gulf of Mexico.
- **Energy Sector Logistics**: Petroleum products and chemicals are transported via barge, supporting Oklahoma’s oil and gas industries.
- **Employment**: The facility directly employs hundreds of workers and sustains thousands more in related logistics and manufacturing sectors.
- **Cost Efficiency**: Barges offer a cost-effective transport method, reducing shipping costs for heavy cargo compared to truck or rail-only routes.
The port also supports cross-border trade with Canada and Mexico, leveraging its central U.S. location to distribute goods to North American markets.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
The Port of Tulsa’s trade routes are defined by its connection to the **Arkansas River Navigation System**, which links to the Mississippi River and ultimately the Port of New Orleans. Primary cargo flows include:
- **Bulk Commodities**: Grain (wheat, corn), coal, and fertilizer dominate outbound shipments. Inbound cargo includes steel, aggregates, and chemicals.
- **Liquid Cargo**: Petroleum products and liquefied gases are transported via specialized tankers.
- **Intermodal Containers**: While less common than in coastal ports, containerized goods move through Tulsa for inland distribution.
The port handles approximately 1–2 million tons of cargo annually, with volumes fluctuating based on agricultural yields and energy demand. Its inland status means it functions as a feeder port, aggregating cargo from smaller terminals and forwarding it to larger Gulf Coast facilities. This model underscores its role in optimizing inland supply chains, particularly for agricultural and industrial sectors in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri.
The **Tulsa Port of Catoosa**, located 15 miles south of Tulsa on the Arkansas River, operates as a deeper-draft port complementing Tulsa’s facilities, enhancing the region’s overall maritime capacity. Together, these inland ports exemplify how landlocked regions adapt to leverage waterway access, ensuring competitiveness in global trade.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USTUL
Country
United States
Province / Region
Oklahoma
Latitude
36.153982
Longitude
-95.992775
Timezone
America/Chicago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tulsa?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tulsa is USTUL.
Where is Port of Tulsa located?
The Port of Tulsa is located in United States, Oklahoma. Its coordinates are 36.1540°N, -95.9928°E.
What time zone is Port of Tulsa in?
Port of Tulsa 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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