Puerto Drummond, Colombia

Port Overview

Puerto Drummond is a deep-water coal port located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast near Ciénaga, Magdalena, approximately 10 km from Santa Marta. It is the largest coal export terminal in Colombia, with an annual export capacity of up to 60 million tonnes. Strategically important for connecting Colombian coal to global markets, the port handles bulk cargo and accommodates vessels up to Capesize class. Puerto Drummond’s modern infrastructure and direct rail links to major mines make it a key asset in Colombia’s mining and energy logistics. The port does not handle containerized cargo, so annual TEU capacity is not applicable.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Puerto Drummond is a major coal terminal in Colombia, featuring state-of-the-art facilities for handling dry bulk cargo. It has a capacity to berth up to four Cape Size vessels and load two ships simultaneously. The port is equipped with direct loading systems capable of handling 8,000 tons per hour. It includes conveyor belts and railcar turners for efficient coal unloading. The facility also manages industrial wastewater and dust suppression.

Container Terminals

Puerto Drummond is not a container terminal but a specialized coal export port located near Ciénaga, Magdalena department, on Colombia's Caribbean coast. The port features a 744-meter dock with capacity to moor four vessels simultaneously (two Capesize vessels per side). It has two Sandvik ship loaders with combined capacity of 60 million tonnes annually. The facility is privately owned and operated by Drummond Ltd., Colombia's second-largest coal producer, handling exclusively bulk thermal coal exports with modern direct loading infrastructure.

Port Services

• Bulk cargo operations: Specialized in coal export with advanced conveyor and direct loading systems.
• Ship services: Berthing for large bulk carriers, pilotage, bunker fuel supply, vessel support, and safety management.
• Warehousing: Covered and open coal storage areas with blending capabilities.
• Customs: On-site customs clearance and electronic documentation support.
• Cargo tracking: Advanced cargo tracking and documentation systems.

Container handling is not a core service at Puerto Drummond, as the port is dedicated to bulk cargo, primarily coal.

Global Connectivity

Puerto Drummond, located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast near Santa Marta, is a major deep-water coal export terminal with direct rail links to the Cesar mining region. The port handles large bulk carriers, including Capesize vessels, and connects Colombian coal to key markets in Europe and Asia. Its strategic location provides access to major Atlantic shipping routes, efficiently serving global destinations and supporting Colombia’s role in international coal trade.

Port Statistics

Puerto Drummond is a specialized dry bulk coal terminal in Ciénaga, Magdalena, Colombia, not a container port. It features 4 berths capable of accommodating Cape Size vessels with simultaneous loading of 2 ships. The port has a loading capacity of 60 million metric tons per year with two direct loading systems operating at 8,000 tons/hour each. Coal storage capacity reaches 1.5 million metric tons. The facility began operations in 1995, with direct loading systems commissioned in 2014. It exports approximately 30 million metric tons annually and does not handle containerized cargo (TEUs).