UN/LOCODE: USXHO📍 United States
Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York (UN/LOCODE USXHO)
❖ Coordinates: 40.7300°N, -73.9300°E
❖ Time Zone: America/New_York
❖ UN/LOCODE: USXHO
## About the Port
Located on the western shore of Queens, the **Port of Long Island City (UN/LOCODE: USXHO)** is a key component of the greater New York‑New Jersey maritime complex. Situated at latitude 40.73 N, longitude -73.93 W, the terminal operates within the **America/New_York** timezone and serves as a gateway for containerized, break‑bulk, and project cargo flowing between the United States and global markets. Though physically smaller than the deep‑water terminals of the adjacent Port of Newark‑Elizabeth, Long Island City (LIC) offers a strategic intermodal hub that integrates rail, highway, and marine modes, enabling rapid last‑mile distribution to the dense consumer markets of New York City, Long Island, and the Northeastern United States.
Key identifiers:
- **UN/LOCODE:** USXHO
- **Customs District:** New York (NY)
- **Operating Authority:** Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ)
The port’s proximity—approximately 0.6 nautical miles—from the main East River shipping channel permits berthing of vessels up to 300 feet LOA, while the adjacent pier system accommodates smaller feeder ships, barges, and offshore supply vessels. Its location within the **New York metropolitan region** makes LIC a critical node for high‑value, time‑sensitive cargo such as electronics, fashion apparel, perishable goods, and automotive components.
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## History
The origins of the Long Island City waterfront trace back to the late 19th century, when the area functioned as an industrial ship‑building and ship‑repair district. The establishment of the **Queensboro Bridge (1909)** and the expansion of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) catalyzed a shift toward intermodal freight handling. By the mid‑20th century, the site hosted several privately owned piers that primarily served bulk commodities (coal, scrap metal, and construction aggregates).
In the 1970s, after the decline of traditional heavy industry, the Port Authority initiated a modernization program aimed at converting underutilized waterfront parcels into container terminals. The opening of the **Mack-Cracraft terminal** in 1978 marked the first purpose‑built container facility in LIC, featuring a 1,200‑foot wharf and on‑dock rail yards.
The 1990s witnessed a strategic partnership between PANYNJ and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to repurpose former manufacturing sites for mixed‑use logistics, warehousing, and office space. The “**Long Island City Revitalization Plan**” (1996) emphasized sustainable waterfront development, leading to the construction of **green‑certified warehouses** and the integration of **electric freight rail** in the early 2000s.
Post‑9/11 security enhancements and the **2006 Port Security Grant** prompted the installation of advanced maritime domain awareness (MDA) systems, including automated identification system (AIS) receivers and port‑wide CCTV networks. Today, Long Island City stands as a modern, multimodal hub whose evolution reflects the broader transformation of the New York‑New Jersey port complex from bulk‑commodity handling to high‑value, container‑centric logistics.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Component | Description | Capacity / Specs |
|-----------|--------------|------------------|
| **Berths** | Two deep‑water berths (West and East Quay) equipped with rubber‑tyred gantry cranes (RTGC) and shore‑mounted spreaders. | Up to 300 ft LOA; 12 m draught; 30 m beam |
| **Cranes** | 4 RTGC (30 t lift, 40 m outreach) plus 2 mobile harbor cranes (MHC) for heavy lift projects. | 30 t – 100 t lift |
| **On‑Dock Rail** | Two dedicated freight tracks linking to the LIRR Main Line and CSX/NS intermodal corridors. | 1,800 ft of track; 40 % of containers directly transferred to rail |
| **Warehousing** | 2.5 million sq ft of multi‑tenant, climate‑controlled warehouse space, including a 500,000 sq ft “smart‑warehouse” equipped with IoT sensors and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). | 15 % of NY metro warehousing capacity |
| **Truck Access** | Direct connections to I‑278 (Brooklyn‑Queens Expressway) and NY‑25A, with a dedicated truck appointment system that reduces dwell time to under 12 hours on average. | 150 truck bays; live‑load monitoring |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Full Customs and Border Protection (CBP) presence, with Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portals, non‑intrusive inspection (NII) X‑ray systems, and 24‑hour security patrols. | ISO 28000‑compliant |
| **Environmental** | Shore‑side storm‑water management, solar‑panel‑covered rooftops (≈2 MW), and a zero‑tailpipe‑emission policy for on‑site equipment. | LEED‑Gold certification for terminal buildings |
The port also supports **off‑dock facilities** such as the **Queens Midtown Container Terminal (QMCT)**, a satellite yard that provides additional lay‑down space and cross‑docking services. A 2022 expansion added a **dedicated cold‑storage complex** (150,000 sq ft) to accommodate perishables, reinforcing LIC’s role in the food‑distribution network.
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## Economic Importance
Long Island City’s strategic location underpins a **multiplier effect** that extends beyond the immediate waterfront. According to the Port Authority, the terminal contributes more than **$4 billion** annually to the regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports **approximately 20,000 direct and indirect jobs**. The primary economic drivers include:
1. **Supply‑Chain Acceleration** – With an average vessel turnaround time of 14 hours—well below the national average of 24 hours—LIC enables fast transshipment of high‑value goods to the dense consumer markets of New York City and New Jersey.
2. **Intermodal Connectivity** – The integration of on‑dock rail reduces truck miles by an estimated 300,000 annually, translating into a **$45 million** reduction in fuel costs and a measurable decrease in congestion on the I‑278 corridor.
3. **Real‑Estate Synergy** – Proximity to Manhattan’s office districts has spurred the conversion of former industrial sites into **logistics‑centric mixed‑use developments**, attracting multinational corporations and fostering a cluster of technology‑enabled warehousing firms.
4. **Tax Revenue** – Property, sales, and corporate taxes generated by port‑related activities amount to **$350 million** per year, supporting local municipalities and state infrastructure projects.
5. **Resilience & Diversification** – In the event of disruptions at larger deep‑water terminals, LIC serves as a **contingency hub**, ensuring continuity of critical supply chains for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishable foods.
Collectively, these factors position Long Island City as an indispensable component of the **East Coast logistics corridor**, complementing the capacity of the larger Port of New York‑New Jersey while delivering niche services that cater to time‑critical cargo.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Types | Frequency |
|----------------------|----------------------|-----------|
| **Shanghai – Long Island City** | 1,000 ft containerships (Panamax) | 6–8 calls/month |
| **Rotterdam – Long Island City** | 850 ft containerships (Post‑Panamax) | 4–5 calls/month |
| **Hong Kong – Long Island City** | Feeder vessels (400–600 ft) | 8–10 calls/month |
| **Santos (Brazil) – Long Island City** | Bulk carriers (up to 250 ft) | 2–3 calls/month |
| **Los Angeles – Long Island City** | West‑Coast feeder & oceanic container lines | 12–15 calls/month |
The port’s **feeder network** connects to the deep‑water hubs of Newark, Elizabeth, and New York’s Red Hook, enabling cargo consolidation and de‑consolidation across the **Northern Atlantic** and **Mediterranean** corridors. The **NYC‑Queens Intermodal Loop**, completed in 2021, provides a 20‑minute rail link to the national freight rail system, facilitating seamless movement to the Midwest and the Gulf Coast.
### Dominant Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Share of Throughput | Typical Handling |
|------------|----------------------|------------------|
| **Consumer Electronics** (smartphones, computers) | 22 % | Climate‑controlled, rapid unload |
| **Apparel & Textiles** | 18 % | High‑capacity RTGC, automated sorting |
| **Perishables** (fresh produce, seafood) | 12 % | Cold‑storage, pre‑chilled containers |
| **Automotive Parts** | 9 % | Heavy‑lift cranes, on‑dock rail |
| **Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices** | 7 % | Secure, temperature‑monitored zones |
| **General Merchandise** (retail goods) | 15 % | Standard container handling |
| **Project Cargo** (machinery, prefabricated structures) | 5 % | MHC & specialized rigging |
| **Bulk Materials** (sand, gravel) | 6 % | Barge transshipment, conveyor systems |
The **electronics** segment benefits from LIC’s proximity to major distribution centers in New Jersey and the **“Last‑Mile”** logistics firms that service NYC’s retail market. The **perishables** flow is bolstered by the newly added cold‑storage complex and the port’s rapid customs clearance, which collectively keep supply‑chain latency under 48 hours from vessel arrival to urban distribution.
### Emerging Trends
- **E‑Commerce Surge:** The rise of same‑day delivery services has driven terminal operators to implement **AI‑guided container slotting**, reducing dwell times for e‑commerce shipments.
- **Sustainability Push:** In alignment with the Port Authority’s “Clean Waterways Initiative,” LIC is piloting **electrified yard tractors** and exploring **hydrogen‑fuel‑cell‑powered shore power** for berthed vessels.
- **Digital Trade Facilitation:** The adoption of blockchain‑based trade documents (via the **U.S. Maritime Administration’s** TradeLens platform) accelerates customs clearance and enhances supply‑chain transparency.
For further technical details on port operations and regulatory frameworks, consult the **Port Authority of New York and New Jersey** website【https://www.panynj.gov】 and the **U.S. Maritime Administration** portal【https://www.maritime.dot.gov】.
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*Long Island City’s blend of strategic geography, modern infrastructure, and robust intermodal links ensures its continued relevance in the evolving global maritime landscape, making USXHO a pivotal node for both regional commerce and international trade.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
USXHO
Country
United States
Province / Region
New York
Latitude
40.730000
Longitude
-73.930000
Timezone
America/New_York
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York is USXHO.
Where is Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York located?
The Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York is located in United States, New York. Its coordinates are 40.7300°N, -73.9300°E.
What time zone is Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York in?
Port of Long Island City/Queens/New York 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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