Charlestown, Nevis Is., Saint Kitts and Nevis

Port Overview

Charlestown is the capital and main port of Nevis, located in the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. Positioned on the leeward coast, it serves as the administrative and commercial hub for Nevis, which covers 93 square kilometers. While not among the region’s largest ports, Charlestown is strategically important for inter-island ferry connections and local trade. The port primarily handles passenger and small cargo vessels, with annual TEU capacity remaining modest and not exceeding several hundred containers per year.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Charlestown Port in Nevis primarily serves ferries, cruise ships, yachts, and private vessels. The port features a main pier for vessels with up to 3 meters draft, a simple terminal building, customs and immigration processing, and 24-hour security. Larger ships anchor offshore and use tenders for passenger transfer. There are no container terminals, heavy cargo facilities, cranes, or AGVs; cargo operations are handled at Long Point Port. The port is focused on passenger and small vessel services.

Container Terminals

Charlestown, Nevis does not have dedicated container terminals or berths for container operations. The port primarily serves ferries, small cruise vessels, and yachts, with larger vessels required to anchor offshore and use tenders for passenger transfer. There is no container handling capacity, no automation, and no major container terminal operators present at Charlestown. The facility focuses on passenger and small vessel services rather than containerized cargo.

Port Services

• Container handling: Not available at Charlestown; container and main cargo operations are handled at Long Point Port.
• Cargo operations: Limited to small-scale general cargo, mainly for ferries and local supply vessels.
• Ship services: Docking for ferries, yachts, and cruise tenders; water and fuel available (fuel by truck); dinghy dock for yachts; 24-hour security.
• Warehousing: No significant warehousing facilities at Charlestown Port.
• Customs: Customs and immigration clearance provided for arriving vessels.

Global Connectivity

Charlestown Port on Nevis connects primarily with Basseterre, Saint Kitts via frequent ferry services and accommodates cruise ships, yachts, and small cargo vessels. It serves the Leeward Islands region and offers indirect access to wider Caribbean markets. Shipping routes are mainly regional, with occasional connections to major hubs through transshipment at larger nearby ports such as Basseterre. The port’s connectivity is modest, focusing on inter-island travel and local commerce.

Port Statistics

Port: Charlestown, Nevis Island, Saint Kitts and Nevis
TEU Throughput: Extremely low; only 4 containers recorded since 2019
World Ranking: Not ranked among major global ports
Number of Berths: 0
Port Area: Not specified; very limited infrastructure
Shipping Lines: Occasional calls by vessels such as Tropic Unity and OOCL Bremerhaven, mainly for small-scale or breakbulk shipments
Summary: Charlestown is a minor port with minimal container activity, no dedicated berths, and limited shipping line presence.