Port Au Prince, Haiti

Port Overview

Port-au-Prince is Haiti's capital and largest city, located on a magnificent bay at the apex of the Gulf of Gonâve on the western coast of Hispaniola. With a metropolitan population of approximately 3.1 million, it serves as the nation's primary commercial center and chief port. The city functions as Haiti's main gateway for international trade and maritime commerce, handling the country's essential imports and exports. As the economic and administrative hub of Haiti, Port-au-Prince plays a critical strategic role in the Caribbean region, though specific container throughput data is not publicly available for this port facility.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s main port features seven berths, including two Ro-Ro berths, and a total quay length of 1,250 meters with depths of 8–10 meters. Key terminals include the main container terminal operated by Caribbean Port Services, Terminal Varreux for tankers, and specialized quays for grain and cement. Facilities include a 40-hectare container yard, four mobile harbor cranes, shore and crawler cranes, forklifts, and truck trailers. The port does not use AGVs.

Container Terminals

Port Au Prince's container terminals feature multiple general cargo berths and a container terminal with modern handling capabilities. The port has a capacity of approximately 150,000 TEUs annually. Major operators include Caribbean Port Services, which handles significant container volumes. Automation levels are moderate, with specialized equipment for diverse cargo types. However, Port Lafito, located nearby, offers more advanced facilities and capacity.

Port Services

• Container handling: Main container terminal operated by Caribbean Port Services (CPS), equipped with mobile harbor cranes and large container storage areas.
• Cargo operations: Handles general cargo, heavy-lifts, project cargo, bulk, cement, and liquid cargoes.
• Ship services: Provides berthing, shore cranes, crawler cranes on barges, and vessel support.
• Warehousing: On-site warehouses available for cargo storage and logistics.
• Customs: Customs clearance and inspection services for import/export cargo, with applicable duties and taxes.

Global Connectivity

Port Au Prince is Haiti’s main maritime gateway, directly connecting to North American ports such as Miami, Houston, and New York, as well as regional Caribbean hubs. It serves the entire country, supporting trade for the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and facilitating imports and exports to major markets in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Key shipping routes link Haiti to the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. East Coast, and Caribbean islands, ensuring vital connectivity for commercial and humanitarian cargo.

Port Statistics

Port Au Prince, Haiti – Key Statistics

TEU Throughput:
Annual container throughput is approximately 177,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), based on the most recent available data. This places Port Au Prince among the smaller container ports globally, far below major hubs.

World Ranking:
The port does not rank among the world’s top 100 container ports by TEU volume. It is a minor player in global container shipping, primarily serving Haiti’s domestic and regional trade needs.

Number of Berths:
The main container terminal features a 410-meter pier, but the exact number of dedicated container berths is not publicly specified in standard port directories.

Terminal Area:
The container storage area covers about 50 hectares, with 12 hectares paved as part of recent upgrades.

Shipping Lines:
Major global shipping lines such as Maersk serve Port Au Prince, though service frequency and capacity are limited compared to larger Caribbean ports. The port also handles transshipment and project cargo, with some connectivity to the Dominican Republic.

Summary:
Port Au Prince is a modest-sized container port with basic infrastructure, serving Haiti’s import/export needs and offering some regional transshipment. It faces operational challenges but has seen recent investments in terminal capacity and equipment.