Acajutla, El Salvador
Acajutla is El Salvador’s principal Pacific port, handling most of the nation’s exports and serving as a key industrial and trade hub.
Port Overview
Acajutla is El Salvador’s principal seaport, located on the Pacific coast in Sonsonate Department. It ranks as the country’s largest and most important commercial port, handling the majority of national exports, including coffee, sugar, and petroleum products. Strategically positioned near major shipping routes and the Panama Canal, Acajutla serves as a key gateway for international trade in Central America. The port’s annual container throughput is approximately 200,000 TEU, supporting its role as a vital logistics hub for the region.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Puerto de Acajutla features modern infrastructure including state-of-the-art container terminals equipped with advanced handling equipment and cranes to expedite cargo processing. The port operates specialized bulk terminals for commodities such as grains, minerals, and petroleum products. Ro-Ro terminals facilitate vehicle and rolling cargo transfers. The facility includes comprehensive storage facilities, multiple berths, and well-maintained navigational channels accommodating vessels of varying sizes. The port primarily handles El Salvador's major exports including coffee, sugar, and balsam, serving as the nation's principal Pacific seaport with efficient cargo handling capabilities.
Container Terminals
Acajutla’s container terminal has 5 berths, with a current annual capacity of 500,000 TEU, set to expand to 1.6 million TEU after ongoing modernization. The terminal features advanced handling equipment but is not fully automated. Major operators include Yilport Holding, in partnership with El Salvador’s Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), under a mixed economy model. The port is being upgraded to meet global logistics standards.
Port Services
- Container handling: Modern terminals with advanced equipment for efficient loading and unloading.
- Cargo operations: Bulk, general, and Ro-Ro cargo handling, including grains, minerals, petroleum, and vehicles.
- Ship services: Bunkering, limited ship repairs, pilotage, tug assistance, provisions, water, and diesel supply.
- Warehousing: On-site storage and logistics solutions for various cargo types.
- Customs: Streamlined customs clearance and documentation support for import/export cargo.
Global Connectivity
Acajutla, El Salvador’s main Pacific port, is a key gateway for Central American trade, connecting to major shipping lines such as MSC, Maersk, COSCO, Evergreen, X-Press Feeders, and CMA CGM. It serves El Salvador’s industrial and commercial centers and facilitates exports and imports across the Americas, with direct access to routes linking North, Central, and South America, as well as efficient proximity to the Panama Canal for global markets.
Port Statistics
Port of Acajutla, El Salvador – Key Statistics (2025):
- TEU throughput: 178,800 TEU (2024)
- World ranking: Not in the global top 100 container ports
- Number of berths: 3 main berths (Piers A, B, and C)
- Port area: Classified as small
- Shipping lines: Serviced by major regional and international carriers; container vessels have berthing priority
Recent investments and ongoing upgrades are expected to further expand capacity and improve efficiency.
