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Port of Des Moines

USDSM🇺🇸USA

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Port of Des Moines USDSM

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About Port of Des Moines

This port, established in 1843, is a marina located in Des Moines, Iowa. It is situated on the Des Moines River, a waterway that historically played a role in the region's development.

Background
Des Moines is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is named after the Des Moines River, likely derived from the French Rivière des Moines meaning 'River of the Monks'. The city was incorporated in 1851 as Fort Des Moines and shortened to Des Moines in 1857. Its population was 214,133 at the 2020 census. The six-county Des Moines metropolitan area has an estimated 750,000 residents, the largest metropolitan area located entirely in Iowa. It is the county seat of Polk County, with parts south of County Line Road extending into Warren County.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Elevation
-9999m

Operations & Services

History

Established
1843

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

UN/LOCODE
USDSM
Country
🇺🇸USA
Time Zone
UTC-8
Feature Type
MAR (Marina)

Classification

Type
Marina

Region

Subdivision
US-IA
Area
US West Coast
Latitude
47.3988°
Longitude
-122.3283°

References & Identifiers

GeoNames ID
5792249 →
Wikidata
Q39709 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.catchdesmoines.com →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Des Moines?

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The approach to Des Moines is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Point Robinson Lighthouse at 2 NM to the WSW. Other aids include Browns Point (7.3 NM SW), Gig Harbor (10.9 NM WSW), Alki Point (11.3 NM NNW), Swiftsure (13.8 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Des Moines?

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The Port of Des Moines is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.

How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Des Moines?

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You can track vessels near Des Moines (USDSM) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for USDSM on the live map.

Where is the Port of Des Moines?

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The Port of Des Moines is a port in US. Its UN/LOCODE is USDSM — the five-character code the UNECE assigns to trade and transport locations, and the identifier used on shipping documents and in port calls.

What does the UN/LOCODE USDSM mean?

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The first two characters, US, are the ISO country code for US. The remaining three identify the location within that country. The code is issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is the international standard for naming ports in trade and transport systems.

What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Des Moines?

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The Port of Des Moines operates in the UTC-8 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.