UN/LOCODE: USUZF📍 United States
Port of Tonawanda (UN/LOCODE USUZF)
❖ Coordinates: 43.0203°N, -78.8803°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USUZF
## About the Port
The Port of **Tōnawānda**, coded **USUZF**, is a multi‑modal industrial port located in the southeastern quadrant of Buffalo, New York. It sits on the western bank of the **Niagara River**, approximately 23 nautical miles east of the Robert H. Reiffenstahl International Airport (BUF) and 70 miles north of the Pennsylvania state border. The port’s geographic coordinates (43.0203347° N, −78.880315° W) place it within the **Lake Erie–Niagara River watershed**, providing critical linkage between the Great Lakes cargo network and the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
The facility operates under the jurisdiction of the **New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)** and is administered by the **Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)**, which oversees a suite of inland and coastal terminals. Its climate is classified as humid continental, with winter ice cover typically forming on the Niagara River between late December and early March, influencing seasonal draft restrictions. The local time zone, **America/New_York (UTC‑5/UTC‑4 during daylight saving)**, aligns with the operational schedules of major rail and trucking corridors that feed the port.
## History
The historical trajectory of USUZF mirrors the early industrial expansion of western New York. The site was originally developed in the **late 19th century** as a grain transshipment hub, capitalizing on the Erie Canal–Lake Erie connection. By 1910, the **Tonawanda Canal** facilitated bulk deliveries of wheat and corn to lake freighters, prompting the construction of a dedicated grain elevator (still standing as a landmark).
During the **World War II era**, the port was upgraded to accommodate wartime cargoes, including steel and military supplies, through federal investment under the **War Shipping Administration**. Post‑war, the 1960s saw a shift toward **chemical and petroleum handling**, driven by the presence of major refineries in the greater Buffalo region.
The **1990s deregulation of domestic shipping** spurred a resurgence of intermodal operations, prompting NYSDOT and PANYNJ to modernize terminal facilities and adopt automated gate systems. In 2005, a public‑private partnership secured funding for a 30‑acre liquid bulk terminal, enabling the receipt and storage of **biodiesel, ethanol, and heating oil**. More recently, the port has begun integrating **green infrastructure**—such as storm‑water capture and renewable energy retrofits—into its operations to meet climate‑resilience goals.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
USUZF’s infrastructure is designed for **high‑capacity bulk and project cargoes**, featuring:
- **Piers & Wharves**: Three reinforced concrete piers totaling 1,150 m of berthing length, with depths of 9.5 m (MLLW) to accommodate Great Lakes‑max vessels up to 300 ft length overall.
- **Grain Elevator**: A 1,300‑ton per day capacity terminal equipped with pneumatic conveyors and bucket elevators linked directly to rail sidings.
- **Liquid Bulk Terminal**: 12 ha of insulated tank farms (45 M gal capacity) for petroleum products, chemicals, and bio‑fuels, served by 24‑inch insulated pipelines and pump‑station controls with SCADA monitoring.
- **Rail Connectivity**: Dual‑track CSX and Norfolk Southern interchange yards, supporting **double‑stack container** movements and bulk commodity trains with a maximum gross weight of 286 tonnes.
- **Storage & Yards**: 70 ha of paved laydown area for project cargo, heavy machinery, and break‑bulk items, featuring 24/7 lighting and 8‑inch power supply for container refrigeration.
- **Utilities & Services**: On‑site **steam generation plant**, **distribution network of 120 km of high‑capacity water mains**, and a **dedicated fire‑fighting station** equipped with foam‑capable pumps for hazardous material emergencies.
- **Logistics Hub**: A 45,000 sq ft customs‑clearance facility with bonded warehouses, enabling **just‑in‑time** distribution to automotive manufacturers across the Rust Belt.
All infrastructure adheres to **U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Rules of the Road**, **American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) standards**, and **International Maritime Organization (IMO) MARPOL** regulations.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Tonawanda contributes **approximately $1.2 billion** annually to the regional economy, supporting **over 4,800 direct jobs** in cargo handling, logistics, and ancillary services (e.g., stevedoring, warehousing). Its economic impact is amplified by **multiplier effects**—every $1 of port activity generates $3.5 in indirect economic output within the Buffalo‑Niagara metropolitan area.
Key economic linkages include:
- **Automotive Supply Chains**: Supplying raw materials (steel coils, aluminum sheets) to the **Buffalo automotive manufacturing cluster**, which assembles vehicles and components for OEMs such as General Motors and Stellantis.
- **Agricultural Exports**: Handling an average of **1.4 Mt of grain** per year, primarily wheat, corn, and soybeans destined for export terminals in **Detroit** and **Cleveland**.
- **Energy Commodities**: Loading and unloading of **biodiesel and renewable diesel**, supporting New York’s **Clean Energy Standard** and reducing carbon intensity of the state’s trucking fleet.
- **Project Cargo**: Facilitating the import/export of **wind turbine components** and **industrial transformers**, aligning with the growth of offshore wind projects in Lake Erie.
The port’s operational efficiency—average vessel turnaround of **18 hours**—and its **customs pre‑clearance** capabilities attract logistics providers seeking just‑in‑time inventory management for high‑value goods.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
USUZF’s strategic positioning on the **Niagara River corridor** enables participation in several high‑volume trade routes:
- **Lake‑Erie–St. Lawrence Seaway**: Outbound shipments of grain, steel, and construction aggregates travel eastward toward **Atlantic Ocean** transshipment points such as **Port of Montreal** and **Port of Halifax**.
- **Great Lakes‑St. Lawrence System**: Inbound cargoes of **bulk chemicals**, **ethanol**, and **renewable diesel** originate from Midwest producers and are distributed to refineries and power plants throughout New York and the Midwest.
- **Rail‑to‑Coast Intermodal Flow**: Double‑stack containers moving between **Pacific Northwest** origins and **Northeast manufacturing hubs** are staged at USUZF for final rail distribution or direct trucking to distribution centers.
- **Project Cargo Corridors**: Transport of **wind turbine blades**, **heavy machinery**, and **aerospace components** arriving via lake freighters from **Canada** and the **Great Lakes** industrial heartland.
Cargo composition (2023 data) reflects a diversified portfolio:
| Commodity | Annual Volume (Metric Tons) | Primary Origin/Destination |
|-----------|--------------------------|----------------------------|
| Crude Oil & Refined Products | 1.1 Mt | Midwest refineries ↔ NY power plants |
| Biodiesel/Ethanol | 0.45 Mt | Agricultural processors ↔ regional distributors |
| Steel Coils & Plates | 0.9 Mt | US Steel mills ↔ automotive plants |
| Agricultural Bulk (Corn, Wheat, Soy) | 1.4 Mt | Great Lakes farms ↔ Great Lakes ports |
| Project Cargo (Wind Turbine Parts) | 0.22 Mt | European manufacturers ↔ NY wind farms |
These movements underscore the port’s role as a **critical node** within the **North American inland waterway network**, facilitating the efficient transfer of bulk, project, and containerized cargoes that underpin regional industrial activity.
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*For further reading on the governance and operational standards of the Port of Tonawanda, consult the official Port Authority of New York and New Jersey↗ resources.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USUZF
Country
United States
Province / Region
New York
Latitude
43.020335
Longitude
-78.880315
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tonawanda?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tonawanda is USUZF.
Where is Port of Tonawanda located?
The Port of Tonawanda is located in United States, New York. Its coordinates are 43.0203°N, -78.8803°E.
What time zone is Port of Tonawanda in?
Port of Tonawanda operates in the America/New_York 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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