Puerto Cabello, Venezuela

Port Overview

Puerto Cabello is located on the north coast of Venezuela in Carabobo State, about 210 km west of Caracas. It is the country’s largest and busiest port, serving as a critical gateway for Venezuela’s oil exports and general cargo. Strategically positioned on the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Cabello is vital for both national trade and regional maritime routes. The port handles the highest container throughput in Venezuela, with an estimated annual capacity of around 700,000 TEU, making it a key hub in the nation’s logistics and supply chain.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Puerto Cabello is Venezuela’s largest and busiest port, featuring four main operational areas with specialized terminals for containers, general cargo, bulk, chemicals, and oil. Key facilities include 11 berths for passenger and general cargo, dedicated container wharves, two oil terminals, and a chemical terminal at Borburata. The port is equipped with fixed, mobile, and floating cranes up to 100+ tons, grain silos, warehouses, and a container yard with reefer plugs. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are not currently reported in use.

Container Terminals

Puerto Cabello’s container terminal has approximately 2-3 berths dedicated to container operations, with an annual capacity of around 350,000–500,000 TEU. The port is managed primarily by Bolivariana de Puertos (Bolipuertos). Automation is minimal, with limited modern cargo handling equipment and a lack of advanced automated systems. Operations rely heavily on manual processes, and terminal productivity is constrained by outdated infrastructure and equipment shortages.

Port Services

• Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containers, including specialized terminals and equipment.
• Cargo operations: Handling of general, bulk, liquid, and chemical cargoes, with 25 berths accommodating various vessel types.
• Ship services: Pilotage, tug assistance, provisions, fuel and water supply, moderate ship repairs, garbage disposal, and marine railroad.
• Warehousing: On-site warehouses and storage yards for different cargo types.
• Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Puerto Cabello is Venezuela’s largest and busiest port, centrally located on the Caribbean coast. It serves as the main gateway for imports and exports, connecting with major regional ports such as Cartagena, Kingston, and Panama, and offering direct shipping routes to North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. The port primarily serves central and western Venezuela, including industrial hubs like Valencia, and is a key node for container, bulk, and oil shipments.

Port Statistics

Puerto Cabello, Venezuela key statistics:

• TEU throughput: Approximately 810,000 TEU annually
• World ranking: Around 119th globally
• Number of berths: 10 terminals with multiple berths
• Port area: Covers about 100 hectares
• Shipping lines: Serviced by major carriers including MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and regional operators

Puerto Cabello is Venezuela’s main port, handling most of the country’s container and general cargo traffic.