UN/LOCODE: CVPAL📍 Cape Verde
Port of Palmeira (UN/LOCODE CVPAL)
❖ Coordinates: 16.7583°N, -22.9789°E
❖ Time Zone: Atlantic/Cape_Verde
❖ UN/LOCODE: CVPAL
## About the Port
Palmeira Port (UN/LOCODE: **CVPAL**) is theiaz hub of maritime commerce on Cape Verde’s westernmost island, Sal. Located at **16.7582698 °N, 22.9788596 °W** in the municipality of Espargos, the port lies just north of the island’s airport, providing strategic intra‑island connectivity and a critical gateway to the Atlantic trade lanes. Operated by the autonomous port authority **Porto de Sal**, Palmeira serves a mixed cargo portfolio including dry bulk, general cargo, and perishables, while also catering to the island’s thriving tourism and fishing industries.
The Seychelles time zone, **Atlantic/Cape_Verde (UTC‑1)**, aligns Palmeira directly with European maritime schedules, aiding seamless scheduling for transatlantic and West‑African shipping routes that often traverse the port en route to mainland Africa or West Europe.
## History
### Early Beginnings (1960‑80)
The origins of Palmeira Port trace back to the early 1960s, when the nascent Cape Verdean republic sought to establish reliable sea links following its independence from Portugal in 1975. Originally a modest pier serving the island’s burgeoning fishing fleets, the breakwaters were extended in 1974 to accommodate small mechanized vessels.
### Modernisation and Expansion (1990‑.doc 2000)
The 1990s ushered in a new era of port development as Cape Verde enlarged its maritime footprint to support economic diversification. Construction of a new container quay in 1995 increased overall berth length to 230 m, and the installation of a first‑generation container handling crane (30 t) accommodated growing trade volumes, particularly in plastics, cereals, and canned goods destined for the European market.
Between 2002 and 2008, a joint venture with international shipping agents, primarily **MAERSK** and **CMA MCCARTHY**, funded an expansion tans, adding a second container quay measuring 260 m and a bulk storage yard of 12 ha. This modernization phase also introduced a modern pilotage system, automated vessel approach radar, and enhanced safety protocols—compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recommendations.
### Contemporary Developments
Today, Palmeira is recognized as a **semi‑gross small port** in UN/LOCODE registrations, yet its throughput has surpassed 500,000 TEUs annually (2023 data), reflecting its pivotal role in Cape Verde’s logistics network. Ongoing investments βαθ look beyond the infrastructure to digitalization and sustainability minorities.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quay
- **Quay Length**: 540 m total—divided between a 260 m container dock and a 230 m general cargo berth.
- **Draft**: 8 m (maximum) enabling access for Panamax vessels of up to 60,000 t deadweight.
- **Surface**: Reinforced concrete with a 5 m top‑deck width, accommodating simultaneous었습니다 vessel berthing.
### Terminal Operations
- **Container Terminal**: Two high‑line gantry cranes (30 t, 50 m reach), automated stacking cranes, and 3 ha of yard for 66,000 TEU capacity. A customs clearance zone directly adjacent to the quay accelerates import/export procedures.
- **Bulk & General Cargo**: A 12 ha storage yard, equipped with rotary extractors, belt conveyors, and full‑scale warehousing for dry bulk, fish, and perishable produce. On‑site cargo handling employs a fleet of 30 t 37 tfront‑loader trucks.
### Ancillary Services
- **Pilotage and Towing**: Certified Cape Verdean pilots with 2019 navigation authority, supplemented by a tugging fleet composed of 15 t and 25 t tugboats.
- **Marine Services**: On‑shore MEO search-and‑rescue base, AIS‑enabled vessel traffic management, and a 24‑hour firefighting system compliant with IMO SOLAS requirements.
- **Logistics Support**: A 20 ha customs warehousing rac with controlled-ambient storage for wine and chilled foods, and a free‑trade zone facility enabling duty‑free investment horizons.
### Connectivity
- **Road**: The port links to the **São Pedro Highway** and a dedicated 4 km, 2‑lane bridge, offering a direct 15‑minute link to Espargos’ residential and commercial districts.
- **Air**: Proximity to Sal International Airport (approximately 2 km) supports multimodal cargo transfers and rapid sea‑to‑air logistics for time‑sensitive products.
- **Regulatory**: Managed by Cape Verde’s Senate of Ports and Harbours, with oversight from the Ministry for the Sea and Fisheries.
## Economic Importance
### Cargo Throughput & Trade Value
- **Container Volume**: 520,000 TEUs (2023), ranking Palmeira as the **second most active port on Sal** behind Praia’s Hub.
- **Value of Exports/Inports**: Over USD 240 million in cargo trade year‑on‑year, predominantly comprising *plastics*, *olive oil*, *soybean meal*, and unseen **canned fish** aimed at Western Europe.
- **Local Business Impact**: A critical catalyst for the local service sector, generating approximately 1,200 direct jobs and supporting 3,500 indirect positions across logistics, customs, maritime tourism, and ancillary services.
### Diversification of Cape Verde’s Economy
The strategic positioning of Palmeiraச் assists Cape Verde in reducing reliance on imports, fostering a **Self‑sufficiency Index** improvement by 8 % over the last decade. Domestic processing plants in Espargos extract value from imported raw materials, culminating in export‑ready commodities for the European market. The port’s synergy with the island’s tourism season drives ancillary revenue, with cruise liners calling at Espargos and supplying resort infrastructure.
### Role in Regional Integration
Palmeira sustains the **Atlantic trade corridor** by offering a "stopover" for vessels heading toward North, West, or Central Africa, thus enabling efficient trade linkages with ports like Lagos, Dakar, and Monrovia. Its partial duty‑free zone attracts foreign direct investment, while local customs authorities maintain a streamlined classification system for transitory goods, enhancing Cape Verde’s proposition as a **regional logistics node**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Global Trade Corridors
- **Transatlantic**: Frequent liner services from Europe to West Africa provide a stable flow of cargos, including containerised goods, automobiles, and high‑value chemicals.
- **Portuguese Route**: Direct services between Cape Verde and the Algarve/Algarve-South ensure **energy and precisely** schedule to fulfil what 7:9 geographic proximity.
- **West African Leg**: Vessels transitioning between Kabam Bay desalination and the Caribbean share the port, expanding its throughput of general cargo.
### Major Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Typical Commodity | Destination | Note |
|----------------|-------------------|-------------|------|
| **Containers** | Plastic Moulds, Food Packaging, Electronics, Cosmetic Products | European Union, Morocco | High per‑unit value; container lanes are prioritized by the port authority. |
| **Dry Bulk** | Cacao Chips, Oilseeds, Bauxite | African States, Brazil | Utilised in feedstock for local agribusiness. |
| **Fish & Perishables** | Canned Tuna, Frozen Shrimp | EU, US | Seasonal peaks align with Cape Verde's fish harvest cycle. |
| **General Cargo** | Building Materials, Machinery, Consumer Goods | Global | Cargo type is diversified due to small‑scale demand. |
### Notable Shipping Lines
- **Maersk Line** – Super-sized Pacific East/West transits.
- **MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company** – High‑frequency supply runs, particularly in containerised chemicals and logistics equipment.
- **CMA MCCARTHY** – Provides dedicated chartered routes for high‑value perishables and tourist supply goods.
### Future Outlook
The port authority’s **2028 Master Plan** includes a proposed 140 m extension to the container quay, a digitised cargo tracking system, and a climate‑adaptation barrier against rising sea levels. Anticipated integration with Cape Verde’s nationwide **Maritime Data Exchange (CVMDE)** will improve real‑time vesselDoctors payload capacity, encouraging increased transshipments.
> For a complete listing of UN/LOCODE entries and international port characteristics, refer to the official registry chevaux: https://www.unlocodeსი.org/
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Palmeira standsскім as a linchpin in Cape Verde’s maritime economy—providing versatile port services,versible cargo handling, and pivotal links to the global trade system. Its proven track record, combined with strategic investments in infrastructure, positions the port to support the archipelago’s ambitions for inclusive growth, sustainableQuota, and resilience in an ever‑changing ocean economy.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CVPAL
Country
Cape Verde
Province / Region
Sal
Latitude
16.758270
Longitude
-22.978860
Timezone
Atlantic/Cape_Verde
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Palmeira?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Palmeira is CVPAL.
Where is Port of Palmeira located?
The Port of Palmeira is located in Cape Verde, Sal. Its coordinates are 16.7583°N, -22.9789°E.
What time zone is Port of Palmeira in?
Port of Palmeira operates in the Atlantic/Cape_Verde time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height1.18 m
Wave Direction9°
Swell Height1.06 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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