Choosing the right port isn’t just a matter of geography. It’s a decision that directly impacts delivery timelines, transportation costs, cargo integrity, and your ability to keep promises to customers.

With more ports expanding services, offering faster customs clearance, and competing intermodal access, it’s more important than ever to evaluate port selection as part of your broader logistics strategy.

In this guide, we’ll break down what really matters when it comes to port selection. Whether you’re moving goods across the country or across the globe, these criteria will help you ask better questions, avoid unnecessary costs, and get your cargo where it needs to go.

Why Port Selection Matters

The port you choose sets the tone for everything that follows. From detention and demurrage fees to chassis availability and final-mile trucking costs, port performance can either streamline your supply chain or cause unexpected headaches.

A strategically chosen port can:

• Shorten transit times
• Lower total landed costs
• Improve inventory reliability
• Reduce drayage distances
• Strengthen your carbon reduction strategy

But choosing the wrong one? That can mean delays, port congestion, trucker shortages, and added fees that compound over time.

A June 2025 analysis from PortTechnology notes that shipping delays at major ports have surged by up to 300 percent, underlining how stretched drayage networks can quickly become bottlenecks if not properly evaluated.

Let’s take a closer look at how to make the right call.

1. Location and Proximity to Final Destination

This one seems obvious, but it’s often oversimplified. Many shippers default to the closest port without factoring in the true cost of the final-mile delivery.

Ask yourself:

• Where are my customers or distribution centers located?
• How long and costly is the drayage leg from this port to my warehouse or store?
• Are there inland options that might reduce congestion or cost?

Example: If your distribution center is in Pennsylvania, the Port of New York/New Jersey might seem like the logical choice. But depending on your freight profile and peak season congestion, the Port of Philadelphia or even Baltimore might deliver smoother results with fewer chassis shortages and lower per-mile drayage costs.

2. Port Infrastructure and Capacity

Ports vary in what they can handle. Larger container vessels need deeper berths. Specialized goods like perishables or oversized cargo require the right handling equipment and warehousing. If your cargo type isn’t a fit, you risk longer unload times or limited service availability.

Consider:

• Is the port deep enough for the vessels I’m using?
• Do they offer on-site cold storage, bonded warehousing, or transloading services?
• Are the terminals up to date, or are there aging systems that slow down throughput?

Ports like Savannah have invested heavily in terminal modernization and high-density storage. Others, like Baltimore, are making gains in RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) and breakbulk capabilities.

A recent government report found that ships docking on the West Coast are spending almost three times longer at berth than those on the East Coast. That kind of delay adds up quickly in fees and lost time.

Matching your freight to the port’s strengths avoids unnecessary transfers or off-site storage.

3. Drayage Market and Intermodal Access

One of the biggest cost drivers post-port is how your freight moves inland. Drayage shortages have become a major pain point in many U.S. ports, especially during peak season or when labor actions disrupt normal operations.

Ask:

• Is there a healthy drayage network in this port region?
• How competitive are trucking rates and availability?
• Are there reliable rail links or intermodal terminals nearby?

The latest index from ITS Logistics shows that container volume is still rising across North American ports, while delays continue to stack up overseas. If your port doesn’t have strong intermodal access, you could be stuck waiting while your cargo sits idle.

Ports with weak trucking infrastructure can leave containers sitting for days, racking up storage fees and throwing off your delivery windows. In contrast, ports like Philadelphia and Savannah offer direct rail access and multiple carrier options to move freight inland without delay.

4. Customs Clearance and Port Efficiency

The best port in the world won’t help you if your goods get stuck in customs. Some ports have faster clearance times and better customs coordination. This matters more if you’re importing goods with strict documentation or complex regulatory requirements.

Check:

• What’s the average dwell time for imports and exports?
• Is the port equipped with Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certified partners?
• Are there pre-clearance or remote filing options?

Working with a port that emphasizes transparency, technology adoption, and communication with Customs and Border Protection can save you from frustrating delays.

5. Seasonal Congestion and Weather Risks

Port congestion doesn’t just happen during the holiday season. Weather events, labor strikes, and peak agricultural shipping cycles can all affect throughput.

Global disruptions, not just local weather events or holidays, can affect port performance worldwide.  The Financial Times reported in June 2025 that barges in Europe are now waiting between 66 and 77 hours to load containers amid rising congestion.

The more you know about historical congestion patterns, the better you can plan.

For example:

• The Gulf Coast is prone to hurricane disruptions during late summer and fall.
• West Coast ports often experience congestion in Q4 due to pre-holiday imports.
• East Coast ports may be impacted by winter weather or capacity constraints during global carrier realignments.

Use port performance data, talk to your 3PL or drayage partner, and pay attention to congestion indexes when choosing your route.

6. Partnerships and Local Support

Relationships on the ground matter. A port might look good on paper, but without strong local partnerships, it’s difficult to resolve problems quickly. The best ports foster relationships with 3PLs, warehouse operators, customs brokers, and transportation partners.

What to look for:

• Are there experienced, full-service providers near the port who can manage your freight from arrival to delivery?
• Do you have a partner who can navigate port-specific quirks or paperwork?
• Can your provider support you with services like transloading, relabeling, or consolidation?

At East Coast Warehouse, for example, we don’t just move containers. We work together with clients to manage the end-to-end logistics journey from the moment the vessel arrives to the last mile of delivery. That level of integration is easier to achieve when your port supports a full-service ecosystem.

7. Specialized Cargo Needs

If you’re shipping sensitive, oversized, or high-value goods, your port needs are more specific. This includes:

• Temperature-controlled storage
• Hazardous materials handling
• Heavy lift or breakbulk capabilities
• Enhanced security protocols

Each port has its own specialization. Savannah is known for refrigerated cargo. Baltimore is a leader in auto and equipment handling. Philadelphia has gained attention for cold storage infrastructure.

Matching your freight to the port’s strengths can reduce damage, simplify documentation, and get your cargo moving faster.

8. Cost Transparency and Total Landed Cost

Port fees are only one piece of the puzzle. A port with lower terminal handling charges might come with longer drayage routes or added storage time. The smartest shippers look at the full picture.

Break it down:

• Terminal handling fees
• Drayage and intermodal transport
• Warehousing and storage
• Chassis and equipment fees
• Customs and compliance support

An experienced logistics partner can help you run a true total cost comparison. In many cases, the “cheaper” port ends up costing more once all variables are accounted for.

9. Resilience and Contingency Planning

If there’s one thing the last few years have taught the industry, it’s this: flexibility wins. From labor strikes to COVID-related slowdowns to shifts in global trade patterns, your port needs to be part of a resilient supply chain.

A few good questions to ask:

• What backup ports or rerouting strategies are available in case of disruption?
• How quickly can you shift volume to a nearby facility?
• Does the port have a history of bouncing back quickly from disruption?

In October 2024, dockworkers on the East and Gulf Coasts went on strike, shutting down about half of U.S. container terminals. That event showed exactly how a single labor issue can halt freight movement and why relying on just one port gateway is risky.

Having more than one port option—whether across the East Coast or spread between coasts—gives you options when conditions change.

10. Alignment With Long-Term Strategy

Your port choice should reflect not just this month’s delivery but your company’s long-term goals. Are you expanding into new markets? Looking to reduce emissions? Seeking faster replenishment for e-commerce?

Then ask:

• Does this port align with our growth markets?
• Will it support the speed and flexibility our customers expect?
• Can we integrate port operations into our digital systems and dashboards?

Choosing a port isn’t a one-and-done decision. As your business grows and shifts, your port network may need to evolve too. The key is staying proactive rather than reactive.

Port Selection: Choose With Intent, Not Habit

Port selection isn’t a line item. It’s a strategic lever that influences cost, speed, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Too often, shippers stick with the port they’ve always used simply because it’s familiar.

But the smartest supply chains are built on flexibility and informed decision-making.

Start by mapping your top delivery destinations. Review drayage distances and port performance metrics. Talk to your warehousing and 3PL providers about what’s working—and what’s not. Then, use those insights to build a port strategy that works for your freight profile and your future goals.

When you take time to choose the right port, everything downstream becomes easier.