Ports are the heavy lifters of America’s economy, working day and night like tireless muscles that keep the nation moving. Picture giant ships rolling in, cranes swinging like they’re giving high-fives, and containers stacking neatly as if they’re part of a choreographed dance.
The largest ports in the US handle millions of tons of goods annually, supporting businesses, generating employment, and keeping shelves stocked. In this article, we’ll look at the biggest ports, why they matter, and how they shape our future. By the end, you will see these ports as true giants of progress.
Factors That Define the “Largest” Port
- Container volume (TEUs) reflects how many containers pass through.
- Total cargo tonnage counts bulk, liquid, and breakbulk goods.
- Connectivity includes rail, road, and inland networks.
- Terminal infrastructure includes quay length, crane numbers, and berth depth.
- Economic reach spans jobs, regional GDP, and the supply chain.
- Capacity growth potential via dredging and expansion plans.
The 13 Largest Ports in the US Driving Global Shipping
1) Port of Los Angeles (California)
- Size: 7,500 acres, 20+ cargo terminals
- Volume: ~9 million TEUs (2023)
- Specialty: Asia trade (electronics, clothing, vehicles)
The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest among the largest ports in the US, handling more container cargo than any other American port. It stretches across 7,500 acres and operates with over 20 cargo terminals. The port directly connects with major rail networks, allowing goods to move quickly across the country. It trades heavily with Asia, especially China, making it vital for electronics, clothing, and vehicles. With its modernized facilities, large cranes, and deep-water berths, it continues to set records in trade volume every year. The biggest ports in the US by container volume. It handled around 9 million TEUs in 2023.
2) Port of Long Beach (California)
- Size: 3,200 acres, 80+ berths
- Volume: ~7.4 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Imports (furniture, electronics, plastics); Exports (agriculture, raw materials)
The Port of Long Beach is often called the twin of Los Angeles, and together, they form the largest port complex in North America. Ranking high among the largest ports in the US, Long Beach handles millions of TEUs annually. It is a hub for imports like furniture, electronics, and plastics, while exporting raw materials and agricultural products. Its advanced environmental programs, including clean trucks and shore power for ships, make it one of the greenest ports in the world.
3) Port of New York and New Jersey
- Size: Multiple terminals (Newark, Elizabeth, Brooklyn, Staten Island)
- Volume: ~9.5 million TEUs
- Specialty: East Coast’s largest hub, consumer goods & logistics
The Port of New York and New Jersey dominates the East Coast as one of the biggest ports in the US. Its location provides direct access to the massive consumer base of the Tri-State area. With facilities across Newark, Elizabeth, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, it handles millions of containers annually. It is also known for its sophisticated logistics, including modern rail yards and express truck routes. The port manages goods ranging from machinery and food to clothing and electronics, playing a key role in international shipping. Top on the East Coast and among the largest ports in the US. Approximately 9.5 million TEUs.
4) Port of Savannah (Georgia)
- Size: 1,200+ acres, expanding capacity
- Volume: ~5.6 million TEUs (2023)
- Specialty: Exports (poultry, cotton, lumber); Imports (retail goods, vehicles)
The Port of Savannah has become one of the fastest-growing entries among the largest ports in the US. It stands out for its wide terminals, modern cranes, and the deep Savannah River channel. Savannah serves as a major export hub for agricultural products, especially poultry, cotton, and lumber. It also imports retail goods, vehicles, and industrial equipment. Thanks to its excellent rail and interstate connections, the port links directly to Atlanta and the Midwest. Continuous expansion keeps it competitive with the bigger West Coast ports. Suddenly outpacing many, 5.6 million TEUs in 2023.
5) Port of Houston (Texas)
- Size: 25-mile-long Houston Ship Channel, 200+ terminals
- Volume: ~260 million tons (top US port by tonnage)
- Specialty: Energy & petrochemicals (petroleum, plastics, chemicals)
The Port of Houston is one of the largest ports in the US when measured by overall tonnage. Unlike others that focus mostly on containers, Houston specializes in energy and petrochemical shipments. With over 200 terminals, it stretches along the Houston Ship Channel for 25 miles. The port is a key player in exporting petroleum, chemicals, and plastics worldwide. It also imports steel, machinery, and raw materials. Its massive tonnage makes it vital for both American energy security and global industrial supply chains. One of the top US ports by tonnage. Around 260 million tons handled.
6) Port of Seattle-Tacoma (Washington)
- Size: Combined terminals under the Northwest Seaport Alliance
- Volume: ~4.1 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Asia trade (electronics, seafood, produce), cold-chain logistics
The ports of Seattle and Tacoma work together under the Northwest Seaport Alliance, ranking them among the largest ports in the US. Located in Washington State, they serve as a primary gateway to Asia, especially trade with Japan and South Korea. The ports handle diverse cargo, ranging from electronics to fresh produce and frozen seafood. Seattle-Tacoma’s terminals are equipped for rapid transfers between ships, trucks, and rail. Its cold-chain storage facilities also make it important for perishable goods. It plays a big role in West Coast trade. Handles 4.1 million TEUs as the combined “Northwest Seaport Alliance.”
7) Port of Virginia (Norfolk)
- Size: Naturally deep channels, multiple modern terminals
- Volume: ~3.9 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Handles world’s largest container ships, Midwest rail access
The Port of Virginia stands tall among the top US ports, thanks to its naturally deep waters and advanced terminal systems. It is one of the few ports that can handle the world’s largest container ships without dredging. Norfolk and its surrounding facilities manage millions of TEUs every year. The port has strong rail access to the Midwest, making it crucial for inland distribution. It handles imports like electronics, furniture, and apparel while exporting grains, tobacco, and chemicals. Its future-ready design makes it a leader. Handles 3.9 million TEUs.
8) Port of Charleston (South Carolina)
- Size: Expanded terminals with deepened shipping channels
- Volume: ~2.8 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Imports (consumer goods, vehicles); Exports (agriculture, machinery)
The Port of Charleston has expanded quickly in recent years to become one of the top ports in the US. Known for efficiency, it manages large container vessels with deepened channels and modern cranes. The port mainly handles imports like consumer goods and vehicles, while exporting agricultural products and machinery. Its location on the East Coast gives it easy access to Europe and Asia. With new inland ports and distribution centers, Charleston supports supply chains across the Southeastern United States. Growth projects keep it competitive globally. Around 2.8 million TEUs.
9) Port of Oakland (California)
- Size: Major West Coast container hub, strong rail connections
- Volume: ~2.4 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Exports (wine, fruits, nuts); Imports (machinery, electronics)
The Port of Oakland was the first West Coast port to focus on containerized cargo, and today it remains one of the largest ports in the US. Located in the San Francisco Bay, it processes over two million containers annually. Oakland serves as the key trade point for California’s Central Valley agriculture exports, including wine, fruits, and nuts. Imports often include machinery, electronics, and retail products. The port also has strong rail links to the Midwest. It is recognized for its environmental programs and modern logistics. Roughly 2.4 million TEUs.
10) Port of Miami (Florida)
- Size: Deep-water dredged channels, advanced truck tunnel access
- Volume: ~1.8 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Cruise capital, strong Latin America/Caribbean trade, refrigerated cargo
Known as the “Cruise Capital of the World,” Miami is also top ports in the US for containerized cargo. Its prime location makes it the closest port to Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami handles clothing, electronics, fruits, and seafood imports, while exporting paper, machinery, and agricultural goods. It’s also a leader in refrigerated cargo services. The port’s high-speed tunnel and deep-water dredging projects improved truck and ship movement, making Miami both a tourist and cargo powerhouse in international trade. One of the largest ports in the US for cruise and cargo. ~1.8 million TEUs.
11) Port of New Orleans (Louisiana)
- Size: Mississippi River hub, 50+ ocean carriers
- Volume: ~1.5 million TEUs + heavy bulk tonnage
- Specialty: Bulk exports (grains, soybeans, coal); Imports (coffee, steel, chemicals)
The Port of New Orleans is among the largest ports in the US, thanks to its location along the Mississippi River. It is the gateway for bulk exports like grains, soybeans, and coal from the Midwest. It also handles containerized cargo such as coffee, steel, and chemicals. The port serves more than 50 ocean carriers, making it a busy hub for international shipping. With its growing cruise industry and expanding container facilities, New Orleans blends culture, commerce, and trade uniquely. Around 1.5 million TEUs and heavy tonnage for bulk goods.
12) Port of Beaumont (Texas)
- Size: Strategic Gulf port, excellent rail access
- Volume: Top US port by tonnage (bulk-heavy, low TEUs)
- Specialty: Petroleum, crude oil, chemicals, and military shipments
The Port of Beaumont is the largest in the US when measured by tonnage. Unlike coastal container giants, Beaumont is known for bulk cargo and military shipments. It handles petroleum, crude oil, chemicals, and other bulk goods. Its strategic Gulf location and excellent rail connections make it vital for both commercial and defense logistics. The U.S. military often uses Beaumont as a base for shipping heavy equipment overseas. Its mix of civilian and defense roles gives it a unique importance. Major for military and cargo fuel; tonnage is high, though TEUs are low.
13) Port of Jacksonville (Florida)
- Size: Expanding terminals with strong highway & rail access
- Volume: ~1.2 million TEUs annually
- Specialty: Vehicle imports, containers, bulk & breakbulk goods
Commonly called JAXPORT, the Port of Jacksonville ranks among the largest ports in the US for vehicle imports. It is the top entry point for imported cars, trucks, and heavy equipment. JAXPORT also handles containers, bulk cargo, and breakbulk goods. Its location allows easy rail and highway connections throughout the Southeast. The port supports jobs in logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing. Jacksonville continues to expand its terminals and deepen its channels, making it a rising star in both U.S. and international trade. Handles ~1.2 million TEUs (JAXPORT).
Economic Impact of US Ports
The largest ports in the US play a central role in the nation’s economy by anchoring key trade corridors that connect America to global markets. These ports support millions of jobs across different sectors, including trucking, rail, and warehousing, creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities. Major hubs like Los Angeles-Long Beach contribute tens of billions of dollars to the country’s GDP every year.
The growth of the Port of Savannah has boosted inland manufacturing across the Southeast, while ports such as New Orleans and New York-New Jersey help power U.S. exports ranging from grains and soybeans to machinery and industrial products. According to reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation and regional port authorities, these facilities are essential engines of trade and long-term economic growth.
Future of US Ports
- Automation and digitalization: remote cranes, paperless customs improve throughput.
- Sustainability push: green power, shore power, low‐emission vehicles take hold.
- Infrastructure upgrades: dredging to accommodate larger ships; rail yard expansions.
- Resilience to climate risk: sea-level rise, hurricanes, and flooding shape planning.
- Inland intermodal: better inland freight and logistics hubs reduce costs and delays.
- The largest ports in the US will increasingly lead innovation, not just haul goods.
Conclusion:
Ports may look like steel and concrete, but they move with the energy of a living dance. Just like the cranes and workers you pictured in the intro, the largest ports in the US keep the rhythm of trade alive. From Los Angeles to New York and Houston to Miami, every port adds its own beat, whether for containers, oil, or grain. Together, they power jobs, strengthen communities, and prepare for a greener future. Their steady motion keeps America flowing strong on the global stage.
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