The East Coast ports of the United States are essential hubs for global trade. With their geographical advantages of being close to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and their convenient connection to Asia via the Panama Canal, they have become key nodes for transatlantic and trans-Pacific trade. These ports not only support the growth of the US economy but also handle a large amount of imported and exported goods through modern infrastructure and efficient logistics networks, alleviating congestion on the West Coast and ensuring the stability of the supply chain. They are an indispensable and essential part of international trade.
U.S East And West Coast Ports – A Look At Important Figures
The landscape of U.S. imports has seen some significant shifts in recent years. While West Coast ports experienced a dip in their shipping share due to pandemic-related supply chain snags and labor issues, things have been looking up. The Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports are starting to win back importers. More stable labor relations and recent hiccups in East Coast shipping lanes have prompted companies to move some of their import business back to the West Coast, with more direct shipping options from Asia.
This trend highlights the big lessons learned from the supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. Now, businesses are all about diversifying their supply chains and staying flexible to reroute cargo if bottlenecks pop up quickly.
Even though overall port traffic across the U.S. dipped in 2023 compared to the year before, the latter half of the year showed some positive signs for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach:
- Port of Los Angeles: Their annual volume hit 8.63 million TEUs, down 12.88% year-over-year. However, between September and November, they saw a solid jump of 5.43% to 19.38%.
- Port of Long Beach: They moved 8.02 million TEUs for the year, a 12.2% decrease from the previous year. But from September to November, they bounced back with a strong 12% to 24% increase, and even saw a 30% year-over-year increase in December.
Despite this recent recovery, the long-term trend still points to a shrinking market share for West Coast ports. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach used to handle 50% of all imported containers into the U.S. two decades ago. By 2023, that number had fallen to just 33%.
Meanwhile, East Coast ports have been steadily gaining ground, with the Port of Savannah in Georgia leading the charge. Savannah has seen consistent growth over the past few years, making it one of the fastest-growing ports in the nation. By November 2023, their total volume reached 4.5 million TEUs, even with some monthly dips compared to the previous year (like a 10.3% drop in November and an 18.8% decrease in October). Still, there’s a lot of optimism about Savannah’s potential. It’s projected that within the next five to six years, it could become the busiest port on the East Coast.
Looking at the bigger picture, in 2017, the U.S. West Coast still received way more goods from East Asia (54.2 million tons) – more than double the East Coast’s 21.8 million tons. But East Coast ports have been steadily closing that gap. In that year alone, container shipments from East Asia to the East Coast jumped by 8.6%, with the ports of Charleston and Jacksonville showing particularly strong performance. Compared to 2016, the total cargo volume at East Coast ports increased by 2.5 million tons.
Popular U.S. East Coast Ports of Entry Commodities
Popular commodities passing through U.S. east coast ports of entry include:
- Automotive parts
- Pharmaceuticals
- Clothing
- Handbags and satchels
- Computers and computer equipment
- Industrial supplies and materials
east coast shipping ports
Port of New York and New Jersey
- Established: 1921
- Location: at the border between New York and New Jersey, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 9.2 million TEU (2023)
- Characteristics:
- The largest container port on the east coast of the United States, ranking second in the country, after the Port of Los Angeles.
- It has several modern terminals, such as Port Newark and Elizabeth Marine Terminal.
- It is connected to the Atlantic shipping network and radiates to the noNortheastnd Midwest markets.
Port of Savannah
- Established: 1744 (port operations began in 1945)
- Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 5.3 million TEU (2023)
- Characteristics:
- The largest container port in the southeastern United States, with rapid growth.
- Operated mainly by Garden City Terminal, it is one of North America’s largest single container terminals.
- The modern facilities are being expanded to accommodate larger ships and increase handling capacity.
Port of Virginia / Port of Norfolk
- Established: 1906
- Location: Norfolk, Virginia, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 3.6 million TEU (2023)
- Characteristics:
- The deepest natural deep-water port on the US East Coast (55 feet, approximately 16.8 meters) is suitable for ultra-large ships.
- It is directly connected to the Midwest rail network and is a transportation hub for the East Coast to the Midwest.
- It is mainly operated by the Virginia International Gateway (VIG) and Norfolk International Terminals (NIT).
Port of Charleston
- Established: 1670 (modern container port opened in 1942)
- Location: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 2.7 million TEU (2023)
- Characteristics:
- It is one of the fastest-growing ports in the southeastern United States, serving mainly the manufacturing and automotive industries.
- Terminal facilities include the Wando Welch Terminal and the Leatherman Terminal.
- Recent deepening to 52 feet (about 15.8 meters) allows for larger ships.
Port of Baltimore
- Established: 1706
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 1.1 million TEU (2023)
- Characteristics:
- The deepest inland port on the East Coast (50 feet, approx. 15.2 meters), suitable for berthing large vessels.
- It is the largest automobile import and export port in the United States, handling large quantities of bulk cargo and agricultural products.
- Major terminals include Seagirt Marine Terminal.
Port of Miami
- Established: 1905 (modern port developed in the 1960s)
- Location: Miami, Florida, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 1.3 million TEU (2023)
- Special features:
- The “Gateway to the Americas” connects trade routes between the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.
- It is also one of the world’s largest cruise ports, handling millions of passengers annually.
- Major terminals include Dodge Island Terminal.
Port of Philadelphia
- Established: 1701 (modern container terminal since 1965)
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Annual container throughput: approx. 600,000 TEU (2023)
- Special features:
- Mainly handles foodstuffs, agricultural products, cold chain logistics, and pharmaceutical products.
- New cold storage facilities have been expanded in recent years to strengthen the logistics of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals.
- The main terminals include the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.
The East Coast ports of the United States, via the Panama and Suez Canal, are key transit points between Asia and the Americas and between Europe and the Americas. They offer diverse options for global supply chains.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an East Coast Port
When selecting a port on the East Coast of the United States, several critical factors can influence the efficiency, cost, and overall success of your supply chain operations. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Geographic Location: The proximity of a port to the cargo’s origin and final destination directly affects transportation time and cost. Choosing a port that minimizes overland travel distances is often the most economical and efficient option.
- Infrastructure and Equipment: Evaluate the port’s capabilities, including water depth, berth size, cranes, warehousing facilities, and access to rail and highway networks. Ensure the port can accommodate your vessel size and handle your type of cargo.
- Land Transportation Access: Efficient inland connections are essential. Assess the availability of highway and rail access and the capacity for trucking services. Strong connections reduce transit times and lower costs.
- Port Size and Capacity: Larger ports typically offer more carrier options, frequent sailings, and advanced infrastructure. However, smaller ports may have less congestion, faster turnaround times, and more personalized service.
- Customs Clearance Efficiency: Customs procedures can vary by port. Choose a port with a reputation for smooth, efficient customs processing, especially if you’re dealing with specialized goods or high volumes.
- Weather and Climate Risks: Consider the port’s vulnerability to severe weather events like hurricanes or snowstorms. Ports in high-risk areas may face frequent delays or closures, disrupting supply chains.
- Technology and Innovation: Modern ports increasingly rely on advanced technology for operations, cargo tracking, and communication. Ports with strong digital infrastructure can offer better visibility and efficiency.
- Costs and Fees: Compare port-related expenses, including docking fees, cargo handling charges, storage costs, and administrative fees. Total costs can vary significantly between ports.
- Regional Competition: Ports within the same region often compete on service, speed, and pricing. A competitive environment can drive better service levels and more favorable terms for shippers.
