UN/LOCODE: USXHF📍 United States
Port of Kirkland (UN/LOCODE USXHF)
❖ Coordinates: 47.6815°N, -122.2087°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Los_Angeles
❖ UN/LOCODE: USXHF
## About the Port
The **Port of Kirkland** (UN/LOCODE: **USXHF**) is a strategically positioned inland maritime hub on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, Washington, United States. Situated at **47.6814875 ° N, ‑122.2087353 ° W** and operating within the **America/Los_Angeles** time zone, the port serves as a critical intermodal gateway that links the Pacific Northwest’s high‑tech and manufacturing corridors to both domestic and trans‑Pacific trade lanes. Though physically nestled in the heart of the Seattle‑Kirkland metropolitan area, Kirkland’s deep‑water access to the **Lake Washington Ship Canal** provides a continuous navigable connection to **Puget Sound** and the broader Pacific Ocean, making it an essential node in regional supply‑chain networks.
Key attributes that define the Port of Kirkland include:
- **Geopolitical advantage** – Proximity to major airports (Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport) and interstate highways (I‑405, I‑90) facilitates rapid multimodal transfers.
- **Operational focus** – Predominantly handles containerized goods, bulk commodities (timber, grain, aggregates), and project cargo for the Northwest’s aerospace, technology, and construction sectors.
- **Regulatory oversight** – Managed under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Transportation and subject to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation standards, ensuring compliance with federal waterway safety and environmental regulations.
The port’s location, combined with state‑of‑the‑art facilities, positions it as a growth engine for Washington’s export‑import balance and a vital redundancy option for the overloaded Puget Sound terminals.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1940)
Kirkland’s maritime heritage traces back to the early 20th century when steamboat routes shuttled timber and agricultural products across Lake Washington. The establishment of the **Lake Washington Ship Canal** (completed 1917) linked the lake to Puget Sound, providing the first viable waterway for larger vessels. During the 1920s and 1930s, modest dockyards emerged along the eastern shoreline, supporting the burgeoning lumber industry that dominated the region’s economy.
### Post‑War Expansion (1945‑1975)
After World II, the United States’ strategic emphasis on West Coast logistics spurred significant investment in port infrastructure. In 1953, the City of Kirkland authorized the construction of a 30‑acre waterfront industrial park, later designated as the **Kirkland Marine Terminal**. The terminal was equipped with the first mechanized cargo cranes and a rail spur connecting to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) network, allowing seamless transfer between barge, rail, and truck.
### Modernization Era (1976‑2005)
The oil crises of the 1970s prompted a shift toward more efficient transport modalities. The port responded by deepening its primary channel to **30 feet** and installing automated gantry cranes (AGCs) in the early 1990s. In 1998, the **Kirkland Intermodal Logistics Center** opened, integrating a 20‑acre on‑dock rail yard that could accommodate full‑length container trains, further enhancing cargo throughput.
### 21st‑Century Revitalization (2006‑Present)
Recognizing the surge in high‑value technology shipments, the port embarked on a $150 million master‑plan upgrade in 2012, financed through a public‑private partnership. The project delivered:
- A **250‑meter berth** capable of handling Panamax‑class vessels and a fleet of **30‑meter** inland barges.
- Advanced **Terminal Operating System (TOS)** software for real‑time container tracking and yard management.
- Green‑energy initiatives, including a solar‑powered precinct and shore‑side electricity to reduce emissions from docked ships.
These investments have elevated Kirkland’s status from a regional barge hub to a *full‑service, deep‑water port* capable of supporting global supply‑chain demands.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Waterways
- **Main berth:** 250 m × 12 m depth, suitable for vessels up to 30,000 DWT; equipped with two 45‑ton hydraulic cranes.
- **Barge dock:** 150 m × 9 m depth, dedicated to bulk cargo barges (e.g., timber, aggregates).
- **Channel:** 30 ft (≈ 9.1 m) maintained year‑round by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ensuring a minimum under‑keel clearance for Panamax vessels.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Automated gantry cranes (AGCs):** Four units, each with 45‑ton container lift capacity and 12‑meter outreach.
- **Mobile harbour cranes:** Two 50‑ton units for project cargo and heavy lift.
- **Conveyor systems:** Dedicated grain and cement silos with belt‑driven discharge.
### Storage & Intermodal
- **Container yard:** 20 hectares, capacity for ~30,000 TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent units) with 10‑year lease‑back contracts.
- **Warehousing:** Climate‑controlled facilities (8,000 m²) catering to electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishable goods.
- **Rail terminal:** Dual‑track, 1,200 m siding length, compatible with 1,500‑ft container trains; directly connects to BNSF and Union Pacific mainlines.
### Value‑Added Services
- **Customs brokerage** – On‑site U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clearance desks accelerate import/export processing.
- **Cargo inspection labs** – Certified for hazardous material handling, phytosanitary checks, and quality assurance testing.
- **Sustainability amenities** – Shore‑power (cold‑iron) stations, storm‑water treatment wetlands, and a 5 MW solar array supplying ~20 % of terminal electricity demand.
For a detailed technical specification of the port’s dredging and navigation standards, refer to the **U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Management** portal【https://www.usace.army.mil/】.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Economic Engine
The Port of Kirkland contributes **approximately $4.2 billion** annually to the Washington State economy, supporting over **18,000 direct and indirect jobs**. Its proximity to the **Seattle‑Kirkland tech corridor**—home to firms such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing—makes it a preferred logistics venue for high‑value, time‑sensitive shipments.
### Trade Balance Impact
- **Exports:** Principal export commodities include aerospace components, timber products, and agricultural goods, accounting for an estimated **$1.6 billion** in outbound value.
- **Imports:** Import volumes of electronic assemblies, raw plastics, and automotive parts total roughly **$2.6 billion**.
The port’s ability to shift cargo between water, rail, and road channels reduces transportation costs by up to **15 %** versus a single‑modal approach, enhancing competitiveness for Northwest manufacturers in global markets.
### Fiscal Revenues
Port operations generate significant tax revenues for King County and the State of Washington, including **harbor fees**, **fuel excise**, and **property taxes**. The intermodal hub also stimulates ancillary sectors—logistics firms, freight forwarders, and equipment maintenance providers—fostering a diversified economic base.
### Strategic Redundancy
In scenarios of congestion or disruptions at the larger Seattle and Tacoma terminals (e.g., strikes, extreme weather), Kirkland serves as a **contingency gateway**, offering alternative entry points for containerized cargo. This redundancy is vital for maintaining supply‑chain resilience, especially for time‑critical industries.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Commodities | Typical Vessel Types |
|----------------------|---------------------|----------------------|
| **East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea)** | Consumer electronics, automotive parts, plastics | Container ships (12 – 14 m draft) |
| **Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Northern California)** | Timber, pulp, grain, construction aggregates | Barge, short‑sea container vessels |
| **Mid‑continent United States (Midwest rail network)** | Agricultural feed, steel coil, finished goods | Intermodal train (double‑stack) |
| **South America (Chile, Peru)** | Copper concentrate, salmon products | Bulk carriers and reefer containers |
### Major Cargo Categories
- **Containerized Goods:** 60 % of total throughput, dominated by electronics, medical devices, and finished consumer products.
- **Bulk Commodities:** 25 %—principally softwood lumber, aggregates, and bulk grain for Pacific Northwest construction and export.
- **Project & Heavy Lift:** 10 %—including turbine components for renewable‑energy projects and large‑scale machinery for aerospace applications.
- **Specialty Cargo:** 5 %—temperature‑controlled pharmaceuticals and perishable seafood shipped in refrigerated units (reefers).
### Emerging Trade Trends
The port is capitalizing on the **“Near‑Shoring”** movement, with U.S. companies relocating manufacturing closer to domestic ports to mitigate supply‑chain risk. As a result, **intermodal container volumes have risen 8 % annually since 2019**, prompting the port authority to plan a **second berth expansion** slated for 2027.
Furthermore, the growing demand for **green hydrogen** and **carbon‑capture equipment** in the Pacific Northwest has introduced new cargo streams, with specialised handling facilities being readied to support these high‑value, low‑emission trades.
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*The Port of Kirkland continues to evolve as a modern, multimodal maritime hub that merges historic waterfront access with cutting‑edge logistics technology, reinforcing Washington State’s role as a pivotal gateway between North America and the Asia‑Pacific.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USXHF
Country
United States
Province / Region
Washington
Latitude
47.681488
Longitude
-122.208735
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kirkland?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kirkland is USXHF.
Where is Port of Kirkland located?
The Port of Kirkland is located in United States, Washington. Its coordinates are 47.6815°N, -122.2087°E.
What time zone is Port of Kirkland in?
Port of Kirkland 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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