Bahia De Moin, Costa Rica
Bahia de Moin is Costa Rica’s principal Caribbean port, vital for container shipping and agricultural exports.
Port Overview
Bahia De Moin, located in Limón province on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is home to the Moín Container Terminal, one of the country’s largest and most modern ports. Strategically positioned near the Panama Canal, it serves as a key hub for transoceanic shipping and exports of Costa Rican produce. The terminal covers approximately 80 hectares, features a 650-meter quay, and boasts an annual capacity of 1.2 million TEU. Its advanced infrastructure and efficiency have elevated its ranking as a major gateway for Central American trade.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Bahia De Moin’s main facility is the Moín Container Terminal (MCT), operated by APM Terminals. Key features include a 650-meter quay, two deepwater berths, and an 80-hectare artificial island. The terminal is equipped with six super-post Panamax gantry cranes and a container yard for 26,000 TEU, including 3,800 reefer plugs. The facility handles large container vessels and supports efficient cargo operations, but does not currently use AGVs.
Container Terminals
The Moín Container Terminal (TCM) in Bahía de Moín, Costa Rica, is the country’s largest and most advanced container facility. It features two deepwater berths with alongside depths of 14.5 meters, an annual capacity of 1.2 million TEUs, and a container yard holding up to 26,000 TEUs. The terminal is highly automated, equipped with six super-post-Panamax cranes and advanced cargo scanning technology. APM Terminals operates TCM under a long-term concession, handling Costa Rica’s key agricultural exports, especially refrigerated cargo, with 3,800 reefer plugs. The older Port of Moín, operated by JAPDEVA, remains active but is smaller and less modern.
Port Services
- Container handling: Modern terminal with high-capacity gantry cranes and extensive reefer (refrigerated container) facilities.
- Cargo operations: Efficient loading, unloading, and transshipment for containerized and general cargo, including specialized handling for perishables.
- Ship services: Berthing, pilotage, tug assistance, and vessel support for large container ships.
- Warehousing: On-site storage for containers and goods, including temperature-controlled warehousing for exports like bananas and pineapples.
- Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services to facilitate import and export processes.
Global Connectivity
Bahía de Moín, located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is a key maritime gateway for the country’s exports, especially agricultural products like bananas and pineapples. The Moín Container Terminal, operated by APM Terminals, is a modern deep-water facility capable of handling large container ships, including New Panamax-class vessels. It directly connects Costa Rica to major global markets in Europe, Asia, and North America through services such as the South Atlantic Express (linking Central America to the U.S. East Coast) and the Venezuela Line (connecting the Caribbean and South America). The terminal also serves as a hub for intra-regional trade within Central America, offering efficient connections to ports in Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, and beyond. Its advanced infrastructure supports rapid, direct shipments without the need for transshipment, strengthening Costa Rica’s position in international supply chains.
Port Statistics
Bahia De Moin (Moín Container Terminal), Costa Rica:
- TEU throughput (2024): 1,320,000
- World ranking: Not in the global top 100; leading in Costa Rica and Central America
- Number of berths: 2
- Terminal area: 80 hectares (artificial island)
- Shipping lines: Major carriers including MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and others
- Pier length: 650 meters
- Container yard capacity: 26,000 TEU, with 3,800 reefer connections
