UN/LOCODE: AGSJO📍 Antigua and Barbuda
Port of Saint John's (UN/LOCODE AGSJO)
❖ Coordinates: 17.1200°N, -61.8500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Antigua
❖ UN/LOCODE: AGSJO
## About the Port
Saint John’s (UN/LOCODE: **AGSJO**) is the principal deep‑water gateway on the eastern side of **Antigua and Barbuda**, serving the capital city of St. John’s and the broader Caribbean Basin. Located at **17.12° N, ‑61.85° W** within the **America/Antigua** time zone, the port occupies a naturally protected harbor framed by the island’s volcanic limestone cliffs. Its geographic position—approximately 250 nm east of Puerto Rico and 600 nm north of Guadeloupe—makes it a strategic transshipment point for feeder vessels operating between the Atlantic, the Panama Canal, and the Southern Caribbean.
The port is administered by the **Port Authority of Antigua and Barbuda (PAAB)**, a semi‑autonomous agency reporting to the Ministry of Trade, Business and Industry. PAAB’s mandate encompasses vessel traffic control, berth allocation, customs clearance, and the enforcement of international maritime conventions (e.g., SOLAS, MARPOL, and the ISM Code). The facility operates 24 hours a day with an on‑site Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) that integrates AIS data and local radar for safe navigation in the harbor’s 9‑meter depth corridor.
## History
Saint John’s port traces its origins to the late 17th century when British colonial planners established a modest anchorage to support the sugar‑cane economy. By the early 1800s, the harbor had been deepened to accommodate sailing ships of up to 250 tonnage, and a rudimentary slipway was constructed for repairs. The 20th century brought decisive modernization:
* **1935–1942** – Installation of the first diesel‑powered cargo crane and the opening of a municipal wharf, enabling the import of bulk commodities such as coal and cement.
* **1965** – Completion of the **St. John’s Deep‑Water Terminal**, a concrete‑pier complex designed for Panamax vessels, coinciding with the expansion of the Caribbean oil trade.
* **1993** – Adoption of the **Customs Modernisation Programme**, integrating electronic manifest processing (e‑manifest) with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Window system.
* **2008** – Launch of the **St. John’s Cruise Terminal**, reflecting the island’s shift toward tourism‑driven growth; the terminal now handles an average of 350 cruise ship calls per year.
Throughout these phases, Saint John’s has remained resilient to natural hazards. After the 2017‑18 hurricane season, the port’s infrastructure was quickly restored, underscoring its design compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) **Port Facility Security Code (PFSC)** and regional disaster‑risk protocols.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Water Depth
* **Deep‑Water Berths (2)** – Each berthing length ≈ 310 m; water depth at the sill ≈ 12.5 m (sufficient for fully‑laden Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels).
* **General Cargo Berths (3)** – Lengths ranging from 150 m to 200 m; draft ≈ 8 m, suitable for feeder ships, container barges, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) traffic.
* **Cruise Berths (2)** – Equipped with gangway towers, a 12‑meter high passenger boarding bridge, and a dedicated customs inspection area.
### Handling Equipment
* **4 STS (Ship‑to‑Shore) gantry cranes** – 40 ton lifting capacity, 30 m outreach, supporting containerised cargo.
* **2 mobile harbor cranes** – 25 ton capacity for breakbulk and project cargo.
* **2 reach stackers** – Optimising yard space for 20‑foot and 40‑foot containers.
* **Automated conveyor systems** – For bulk dry commodities (e.g., sugar, flour) with a discharge rate of 400 t/h.
### Storage & Logistics
* **Container Yard** – 15 hectares of paved space, with a **TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent unit) capacity of 9,000. The yard incorporates GPS‑enabled yard tractors and a terminal operating system (TOS) that synchronises with the Caribbean Integrated Logistics Platform (CILP).
* **Dry Bulk Silo** – 30,000 t capacity, equipped with dust‑suppression systems conforming to IMO MARPOL Annex V standards.
* **Reefer Reeled Area** – 1,200 m² of refrigerated container storage, maintained at ± −20 °C for perishable imports.
### Support Services
* **Customs & Immigration** – Full integration with the **World Customs Organization (WCO)** Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) allowing real‑time clearance.
* **Vessel Services** – Bunker supply (diesel, marine gas oil), freshwater provisioning, and waste reception facilities compliant with the **International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)**.
* **Security** – A layered security regime featuring perimeter fencing, CCTV, and a dedicated Port Police Unit. The facility meets the standards of the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**.
For additional technical specifications, refer to the **World Port Source** profile of Saint John’s (https://www.worldportsource.com/ports/ANT/AGSJO.php).
## Economic Importance
Saint John’s port is the **economic linchpin** of Antigua and Barbuda, generating an estimated **US$ 780 million** in annual revenue (2023 data). Its economic impact can be categorised into three core sectors:
1. **Import‑Export Trade** – Over **70 %** of the nation’s imports (including refined petroleum, foodstuffs, and construction materials) transit through AGSJO, while the export portfolio comprises rum, Caribbean‑grown fruits, and niche craft goods. The port’s efficient turnaround—average vessel berthing time of 12 hours for container ships—enhances supply‑chain reliability for local manufacturers.
2. **Tourism** – The cruise terminal’s capacity to handle **350** vessels per year translates to more than **1.2 million** passenger arrivals, directly supporting hotels, restaurants, and retail. Cruise‑ship embarkation and disembarkation processes are streamlined through the **e‑Tourist** platform, reducing processing time to under 15 minutes per passenger.
3. **Employment & Skills Development** – The port directly employs **≈ 1,200** workers and indirectly supports an additional **3,500** jobs in ancillary services (logistics, freight forwarding, and maritime training). PAAB collaborates with the **Caribbean Maritime University** to offer certification programs in cargo handling, customs compliance, and maritime safety.
Beyond immediate fiscal benefits, Saint John’s acts as a catalyst for regional integration. As a member of the **CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME)**, the port facilitates intra‑regional trade, enabling preferential tariff treatments for member states and fostering a resilient supply chain across the Lesser Antilles.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
* **Northern Route** – Weekly feeder services linking Saint John’s with the **Port of San Juan (PRSA)** and **Port of Bridgetown (BBI)**, carrying containerised consumer goods and agricultural produce.
* **Southern Atlantic Route** – Bi‑weekly Panamax voyages from **Rotterdam** and **Hamburg** to the Caribbean, delivering bulk commodities (e.g., fertilizers, steel) and containerised manufactured items.
* **East‑West Caribbean Loop** – A triangular circuit connecting **Port of St. George (GRI), Port of Guadeloupe (GPQ),** and **Port of Saint‑Martin (SXM)**, primarily handling inter‑island cargo such as bottled water, building materials, and light machinery.
### Cargo Composition (2023)
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (Metric Tons) | Share of Total Throughput |
|---------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------|
| Containerised Goods| 1,200,000 | 45 % |
| Bulk Dry (Sugar, Flour) | 750,000 | 28 % |
| Liquid Bulk (Petroleum) | 350,000 | 13 % |
| Refrigerated (Reefer) | 210,000 | 8 % |
| Cruise Passengers (Equivalent) | 1.2 million (passengers) | – |
The **container sector** is dominated by **electronics, apparel, and pharmaceuticals**, with a notable influx of **US‑origin medical supplies** which have surged due to regional health‑service expansions. **Bulk dry cargo** reflects the island’s historic sugar heritage, while **liquid bulk** imports are essential for power generation and marine fuel.
### Emerging Trends
* **Green Logistics** – In line with the **IMO 2020 sulfur cap**, Saint John’s has introduced low‑sulfur bunker facilities and is pilot‑testing **electrified shore power** for vessels at berth, targeting a 20 % reduction in port‑side emissions by 2027.
* **Digital Trade Facilitation** – The port’s participation in the **Caribbean Trade Facilitation Initiative (CTFI)** has accelerated electronic document exchange, cutting clearance times by 35 % and enhancing transparency for shippers.
These developments position Saint John’s as a forward‑looking hub that balances traditional Caribbean trade with modern, sustainability‑driven maritime practices.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
AGSJO
Country
Antigua and Barbuda
Province / Region
Saint John
Latitude
17.120000
Longitude
-61.850000
Timezone
America/Antigua
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint John's?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint John's is AGSJO.
Where is Port of Saint John's located?
The Port of Saint John's is located in Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John. Its coordinates are 17.1200°N, -61.8500°E.
What time zone is Port of Saint John's in?
Port of Saint John's operates in the America/Antigua time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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