UN/LOCODE: USXGO📍 United States
Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York (UN/LOCODE USXGO)
❖ Coordinates: 40.6500°N, -73.8300°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USXGO
## About the Port
Located on the southwestern edge of Queens, New York, the **Howard Beach Port (UN/LOCODE: USXGO)** serves as a crucial maritime gateway for the Greater New York metropolitan area. Situated at **40.65° N, ‑73.83° W**, the terminal lies within the **America/New_York** time zone and is adjacent to John F. Kennedy International Airport, providing seamless inter‑modal connectivity for containers, project cargo, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) traffic. Operated under the jurisdiction of the **Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)**, the facility benefits from the region’s extensive rail network (CSX, Norfolk Southern) and a dense highway system (I‑678, I‑495). Its strategic position near the **Narrows** and **Upper New York Bay** enables rapid access to the Atlantic seaboard, the **Suez** and **Panama Canals**, and the burgeoning **East Coast Container Corridor**.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** USXGO
- **Country:** United States
- **State/Region:** New York (Queens)
- **Latitude/Longitude:** 40.65 N / ‑73.83 W
The port’s geographic footprint encompasses approximately **45 acres** of waterfront, with a **deep‑draft berthing depth** of **14 meters (45 ft)**, permitting the handling of post‑Panamax vessels and large Ro‑Ro ferries. Its proximity to the **Howard Beach Marine Terminal**—a specialized facility for automobile importers—makes it a focal point for the automotive supply chain on the East Coast.
## History
Howard Beach’s maritime origins trace back to the early 20th century when the area served as a modest **coal‑handling dock** for the expanding electric utility grid of New York City. During World II, the site was requisitioned for **military logistics**, facilitating the transfer of war materiel to the Atlantic Fleet.
Post‑war, the **Port Authority** acquired the waterfront in the 1950s, converting it into a **general cargo terminal** to off‑load surplus bulk commodities from the Great Lakes via the **Erie Canal**. The 1970s witnessed a pivotal shift: the rise of containerization prompted the construction of **cellular warehousing** and the installation of **gantry cranes**, positioning Howard Beach as a secondary container hub supporting the primary terminals at **Port Newark‑Elizabeth** and **Red Hook**.
In the 1990s, the terminal pivoted toward **automotive imports**, driven by the burgeoning demand for Japanese and European vehicles. The establishment of the **Howard Beach Marine Terminal (HBMT)** in 1995 marked the formalization of this focus, integrating specialized **car‑lift ramps**, **high‑bay storage**, and **customs pre‑clearance** facilities.
Recent decades have seen incremental upgrades, including the deployment of **automated guided vehicles (AGVs)** and **environmental retrofits** aligned with the **Port’s Clean Air Initiative**, reinforcing Howard Beach’s role as a resilient, modern maritime node.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Waterway
- **Two deep‑water berths** (approximately 800 m total) with **14 m (45 ft)** draft, reinforced to accommodate **post‑Panamax** and **Ro‑Ro** vessels up to **50,000 DWT**.
- **30 %** of the waterfront is equipped with **fixed‑crane (4‑post) gantries**, while the remaining berths rely on **mobile harbor cranes (MHCs)** for flexible handling of mixed cargoes.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Quantity | Primary Use |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| Mobile Harbor Cranes (MHC) | 6 | Container lift, general cargo |
| Roll‑on/Roll‑off Ramps | 4 | Vehicle & heavy equipment |
| Car‑Lift Platforms | 2 (high‑bay) | Multi‑level automobile storage |
| Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) | 12 | In‑terminal material transport |
| Cold‑Storage Units | 4 (10,000 m³ total) | Perishable goods |
### Storage & Warehousing
- **15 hectares** of on‑site **covered warehouse** space, featuring **high‑bay racking** (up to 8 m clear height) for container stacking.
- **Open‑air yards** capable of holding **30,000 TEU** equivalent of containers, and **70,000 vehicles** on the automotive side.
- **Customs Bonded Areas** enable **direct entry** for imported vehicles, expediting release under the **Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)** system.
### Inter‑modal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct spur to the **PANYNJ’s North Jersey Intermodal System**, accommodating **10‑car container trains** with future expansion for **25‑car sets**.
- **Road:** Direct access to **I‑678** (Conduit Expressway) and **I‑495** (Long Island Expressway), supporting **truck traffic** of up to **80 tons per axle**.
- **Air:** Proximity to **JFK International Airport** enables **air‑sea multimodal logistics**, particularly for high‑value electronics and time‑critical shipments.
### Technological Enhancements
- **Terminal Operating System (TOS)** integration with the **PANYNJ’s Port Community System**, offering real‑time visibility for shippers and carriers.
- **Emission Control Areas (ECAs)** compliance through shore‑power (cold‑irons) and low‑sulfur fuel protocols, aligning with **EPA Vessel General Permit** standards.
## Economic Importance
Howard Beach is a **value‑adding catalyst** for the New York‑New Jersey metropolitan economy, which collectively supports **> 14 million jobs** and generates **>$200 billion** in annual GDP. The terminal’s **automotive specialization** accounts for **≈ 25 %** of all imported passenger vehicles entering the Northeast Corridor, translating into **≈ 180,000 units** per year.
The **container throughput**—though modest compared with neighboring ports—provides essential **last‑mile connectivity** for niche markets, including **food‑grade perishables**, **pharmaceuticals**, and **high‑tech components** destined for the **Long Island** and **Upstate New York** manufacturing clusters.
Economic spillovers include:
- **Employment:** Direct labor force of **≈ 1,200** (terminal operators, customs agents, logistics specialists) and indirect employment of **≈ 5,000** in ancillary services (truck drivers, rail crew, warehousing).
- **Tax Revenue:** Generates **≈ $45 million** in state and local taxes annually, supporting infrastructure and community programs.
- **Supply‑Chain Resilience:** By diversifying import entry points, Howard Beach reduces congestion at **Port Newark‑Elizabeth** and mitigates risk from **weather‑related disruptions** in the Hudson River estuary.
The port’s **strategic alignment** with the **East Coast Trade Zone** and participation in the **U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) “Global Trade Facilitation Initiative”** further augment its competitiveness on a national scale.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Ocean Route | Typical Vessel Types |
|----------------------|-------------|----------------------|
| Yokohama, Japan → Howard Beach | Pacific → Panama Canal → Atlantic | Post‑Panamax container ships, Ro‑Ro ferries |
| Hamburg, Germany → Howard Beach | North Sea → Atlantic via Strait of Dover | Container vessels, vehicle carriers |
| Veracruz, Mexico → Howard Beach | Gulf of Mexico → Atlantic | Short‑haul feeder vessels |
| Detroit, MI → Howard Beach (via Great Lakes) | Erie → St. Lawrence Seaway → Atlantic | Bulk carriers, container feeders |
### Major Cargo Categories
- **Automotive Imports:** Predominantly **Japanese (Toyota, Nissan) and European (BMW, Mercedes‑Benz)** passenger cars, plus **light trucks** and **commercial vans**. The terminal’s **high‑bay car‑lift system** enables stacking of **up to 5** vehicles per pallet, maximizing yard capacity.
- **Containerized Goods:** **Consumer electronics**, **textiles**, **pharmaceuticals**, and **fresh produce** (especially berries from the Hudson Valley) dominate the container mix. **Reefer containers** constitute **≈ 12 %** of total TEU volume, necessitating dedicated power connections and temperature monitoring.
- **Project Cargo & Heavy Equipment:** **Construction machinery**, **wind‑turbine components**, and **rail‑road gear** are handled via the **heavy‑lift cranes** (30‑ton capacity) and **specialized roll‑on/roll‑off decks**.
- **Bulk & Breakbulk:** Limited **dry bulk** (e.g., cement, aggregates) is received via **self‑unloading barges** that dock at the terminal’s **grain‑handling pier**.
### Emerging Trends
- **Shift Toward Nearshoring:** As U.S. manufacturers rebalance supply chains, Howard Beach anticipates increased **regional intra‑coastal container traffic**, supporting **short‑haul feeder services** between **Port Newark‑Elizabeth**, **Baltimore**, and **Savannah**.
- **Sustainability‑Driven Cargo:** Growth in **electric vehicle (EV)** imports is projected to raise demand for **temperature‑controlled storage** and **battery‑safety handling** protocols.
- **Digital Trade Documentation:** Adoption of the **Blockchain‑based TradeLens platform** (via PANYNJ) is streamlining **bill‑of‑lading** exchanges, reducing clearance times by **15‑20 %**.
*For further technical specifications and navigation charts, see the United States Coast Guard’s **Port Information** database (link)↗.*
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*Keywords: Howard Beach port, USXGO, New York maritime terminal, automotive import hub, East Coast container corridor, PANYNJ, Ro-Ro facilities, intermodal logistics.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USXGO
Country
United States
Province / Region
New York
Latitude
40.650000
Longitude
-73.830000
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York is USXGO.
Where is Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York located?
The Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York is located in United States, New York. Its coordinates are 40.6500°N, -73.8300°E.
What time zone is Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York in?
Port of Howard Beach/Queens/New York operates in the America/New_York time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.5 m
Wave Direction185°
Swell Height0.38 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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