Popular Ports for Military Transport

Are you an active military service member being vacated to a different port? Has your new command been assigned, and you must determine how to ship your POV (privately owned vehicle)?

Finding the right transport ship can be daunting when navigating unfamiliar ports. To help, we have ranked the most popular ports for transporting your POV.

This article will review some details to help you choose the best harbor and the services available for your shipping needs.

What Does a Naval Harbor Look Like?

If you want to know what a military port looks like, look at the Port of Los Angeles.

The harbor is part of the PND Program and transports personnel, equipment, and supplies for the US Navy. It also serves as a hub for international trade and is one of the busiest ports in the United States.

Established in 1907, it is the largest port in California and has an annual cargo handling capacity of more than 8 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). It's also the busiest container harbor in the United States.

This port has various facilities for military transport operations, including a deep-water harbor, multiple terminals, and an on-site airport.

In addition, it is also a major hub for international trade, with more than $200 billion of goods passing through it each year.

This port's goal is to be a 24/7 operation and provide the best military transport operations service. The port is also home to various other services, including shipbuilding and repair, container storage, and cargo handling.

The network and layout of this cargo port make it an ideal location for military cargo operations. The harbor is well connected to the rest of the country via rail, road, and air, making it easy for personnel and equipment to move quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, the port has many berths that can accommodate various vessels, including container ships, tankers, and bulk carriers.

Top 10 Military POV Shipping Ports

#1 Harbor of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is one of the most popular ports for military transport in the United States. Located in San Pedro Bay, the harbor is a major container port with a solid infrastructure to support military hauling operations.

The global ranking claims this harbor to be number one in the United States and the world's sixth busiest port.

#2 Seattle

Located in Puget Sound, the Port of Seattle is the second most popular harbor for military transport.

This major port occupies the number four spot in the United States and is the twelfth busiest in the world.

#3 San Diego

The Port of San Diego is another popular harbor for military transport in California. It is located in San Diego Bay.

It is said to be the number five seaport in the United States. Meanwhile, its global ranking shows it to be the thirteenth busiest worldwide.]

#4 Norfolk

Chesapeake Bay is home to the Port of Norfolk, one of the popular ports for military transport inside the United States.

It sits at number seven in domestic rankings and is the fifteenth busiest seaport internationally.

#5 Atlanta

Atlanta also has its own port for military transport. Specifically, the Port of Atlanta is located in the Savannah River.

The harbor of Atlanta is ranked eighth among American ports and is the sixteenth busiest seaport in the world.

#6 Charleston

The Port of Charleston spans over three municipalities in South Carolina, making it a popular port for both military and commercial means of transport.

This seaport is ranked number nine in the United States and the seventeenth busiest port globally.

#7 Jacksonville

Jaxport, or the harbor of Jacksonville, is practically a Floridan landmark. Located in the St. Johns River, this port is not just for military use. It's also an international trade seaport.

It is said to be the tenth busiest port in America and ranks eighteenth in the world.

#8 Inland Harbor of Dallas

The International Inland Port of Dallas connects three major railroad networks. It's close to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the nation's ninth-largest cargo airport, with direct access to three major interstate highways.

It ranks the nineteenth busiest port globally, while domestically, it's the eleventh busiest port in the US.

#9 St. Louis

Like Dallas, the Inland harbor of St. Louis has no direct connection to the ocean. But it's commonly used for military transport in Missouri.

In fact, it ranks number twelve among the busiest ports in the United States and the twentieth busiest internationally.

#10 Baltimore

The famous Port of Baltimore has been featured on screen many times. In reality, it's a harbor known for military transport located in the Patapsco River.

The port sits at number thirteen of the USA's busiest ports and the twenty-first worldwide.

The Harbor for National Defense Program

Now that we have ranked the best military POV shipping ports, you should understand the program responsible for determining eligibility for military use.

The Ports for National Defense (PND) Program is a vital part of the Department of Defense's mission to ensure that military transport is conducted efficiently and effectively.

The program works to recognize and assess the adequacy and responsiveness of defense-important CONUS port understructure, providing the engineering knowledge required to support proposed port infrastructure improvement plans and confirm operating strategies.

PND coordinates with partner agencies and organizations to enable prompt engineering analysis of Strategic Seaports during drills or deployment activities.

Benefits of Using

The most significant benefit of using a US Military POV Shipping Port is that it will allow you to ship your private vehicle for free if you are an active duty service member.

This is contingent on which division you serve—Army, Navy, Air Force, or the Marine Corps—and certain conditions are required for you to be approved.

A POV must arrive at least 30 days after departure for individuals serving in the Army or the Air Force and 90 days after departure for those serving on deployments lasting longer than a year.

For Marines and Navy members, you must still have at least one year of active duty service before receiving the car at no cost through US Military POV Shipping Ports.

In light of this, you should complete the US Department of Defense documents to order everything formally.

This is the most economical way to transport the POV to your new deployment location.

Dispatch Your POV with A-1 AT

These are some of the most popular ports for military transport worldwide. By understanding the type of port, its location, and its logistics capabilities, service members can better plan ahead and ensure their POV arrives safely and accurately.

Let A-1 Auto Transport determine the logistics necessary to get your vehicle to the deployment destination. We will take care of your POV so you can concentrate on your mission.

Check out how A-1 Auto Transport can help with military transport today, and contact us today.