Buenos Aires, Argentina

Port Overview

Buenos Aires is Argentina’s principal port, located on the Río de la Plata within the city’s urban core. It ranks as the country’s largest and most important container port, handling the majority of Argentina’s maritime trade. Strategically positioned as a gateway between South America and global markets, Buenos Aires is vital for both imports and exports. The port’s annual container throughput is approximately 1.4 million TEUs, making it a key logistics hub in the region.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Buenos Aires port features key terminals for containers, bulk cargo, and Ro-Ro operations, with 51 berths and a draft depth of 10.7 meters. Cargo facilities include modern warehouses, storage areas, and efficient customs clearance. The port is equipped with advanced cranes for container handling and specialized equipment for bulk goods. While AGVs are not widely used, the port employs state-of-the-art logistics systems to support high-volume cargo operations.

Container Terminals

Buenos Aires has four main container terminals with a total of 51 berths. The port’s annual container capacity is approximately 1.5 million TEU. Major operators include DP World (Terminales Río de la Plata), Hutchison Ports (BACTSSA), APM Terminals (Terminal 4), and PSA/TIL-MSC (Exolgan at Dock Sud). Automation is limited, with operations primarily semi-automated and reliant on conventional equipment and manual processes.

Port Services

The Port of Buenos Aires offers comprehensive maritime services including:

Container Operations: Full container handling, stuffing and stripping services at Terminal T4

Cargo Services: Transshipment operations handling approximately 11 million metric tons annually, with rail cargo handling capabilities

Passenger Facilities: Cruise terminal (Benito Quinquela Martín) and ferry services to Uruguay

Infrastructure: Shipbuilding and repair services through Tandanor facility, warehousing operations, and multimodal connections via land, rail, river and maritime routes

Global Connectivity

Buenos Aires, Argentina, boasts strong connectivity through its port, which serves as a gateway to major markets. The port is well-connected to global trade routes, offering direct shipping services to North America, Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean. It efficiently links Argentina with international markets via road, rail, and river transport, serving as a crucial hub for both domestic and international trade.

Port Statistics

Port of Buenos Aires, Argentina – Key Statistics (2024):

• TEU throughput: Approximately 1.67 million TEU (2022)
• World ranking: Outside the global top 50 container ports
• Number of berths: 7 main container berths (Puerto Nuevo)
• Port area: Around 400 hectares (including terminals and logistics zones)
• Shipping lines: Served by major carriers including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hamburg Süd, Hapag-Lloyd, and Evergreen, with regular connections to Asia, Europe, North America, and regional ports.