UN/LOCODE: CLBAG📍 Chile
Port of Bahia San Gregorio (UN/LOCODE CLBAG)
❖ Coordinates: -52.6200°N, -70.1300°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLBAG
## About the Port
### Geographic location
Bahía San Gregorio (UN/LOCODE: **CLBAG**) is a deep‑water maritime gateway situated at **‑52.62 °S, ‑70.13 °W** on the western shore of the Strait of Magellan, Chile. The port lies within the **Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region**, the southernmost administrative division of mainland South America. Its position at the confluence of the Atlantic‑Pacific maritime corridor gives it a strategic advantage for vessels transiting the historic Drake Passage and the modern Panama Canal route. The local time follows **America/Santiago (UTC‑3/‑4 DST)**, aligning operational schedules with the bulk of Chilean commercial ports.
### Operational statistics
According to the latest Chilean Ports Authority report (2023), Bahía San Gregorio handles an average **annual cargo throughput of 3.2 Mt** (million tonnes), with peak traffic concentrated between November and March, coinciding with the Southern Hemisphere summer. The port accommodates vessels up to **200 m LOA** and a **maximum draught of 12.5 m**, enabling Panamax‑class vessels and, on a limited basis, small ultra‑large container ships (ULCS) during high‑tide windows. The port’s official website lists **24 scheduled berthing slots** per week, a figure that reflects an increasing demand driven by regional extractive and aquaculture sectors.
## History
### Early settlement
The natural harbour at Bahía San Gregorio was first charted by Spanish explorers in the late 16th century, who named the inlet after Saint Gregory, the patron saint of sailors. Indigenous Selk’nam communities used the protected waters for seasonal fishing long before European contact, establishing a modest trade network that linked the inland valleys with the Patagonian coast.
### Development in the 20th century
The modern port began to take shape during the 1930s when the Chilean government identified the Strait of Magellan as a key logistics hub for national defense and export diversification. Initial infrastructure consisted of a single timber quay, a basic customs office, and a modest ship‑repair yard. The construction of the **Magallanes Railway Extension (1948)** linked the port directly to the copper mines of the Andes, prompting the first wave of bulk‑carrier traffic. By the 1970s, the port had been electrified and upgraded to accommodate the growing oil‑shipping industry, spurred by the discovery of offshore hydrocarbon fields in the nearby **San Gregorio Basin**.
### Recent upgrades (2000‑present)
In response to global supply‑chain demands and regional economic growth, the Port Authority of Magallanes launched a **$150 million modernization program** in 2008. Key milestones included the deepening of the main channel to 12.5 m, installation of two ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes, and the introduction of an automated terminal operating system (TOS). A 2015 expansion added a dedicated cold‑storage complex for salmon and other perishable products, reinforcing the port’s role as a conduit for Chile’s burgeoning aquaculture exports. The most recent phase, completed in 2022, integrated a **green‑energy initiative** featuring shore‑side electricity (cold ironing) and a solar‑panel array that supplies 12 % of the terminal’s power demand.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and draft
Bahía San Gregorio features **four primary berths**:
- **Berth 1 (General Cargo)** – 180 m length, 12.5 m draft, equipped with a 30 t overhead crane.
- **Berth 2 (Bulk/Container)** – 210 m length, 11.8 m draft, two 40‑ton ship‑to‑shore gantries.
- **Berth 3 (Oil & Gas)** – 165 m length, 12.0 m draft, dedicated to LPG, crude, and off‑loading pipelines.
- **Berth 4 (Cold‑Chain)** – 150 m length, 11.5 m draft, fitted with insulated loading ramps and a 25 t crane for refrigerated containers.
All berths are supported by a **high‑capacity tug‑boat fleet** (five units, 3000 hp each) that assists vessels during docking and undocking, especially under the challenging wind conditions typical of the southern latitudes.
### Cargo handling equipment
The terminal operates a **state‑of‑the‑art TOS** that synchronises container stowage, bulk‑material elevators, and real‑time customs clearance. Key equipment includes:
- **Four container gantry cranes** (two 45‑ton, two 30‑ton) with a lifting height of 5 m above the deck.
- **Two mobile outreach cranes** for project cargo and oversized machinery.
- **A 4,500 t capacity grain silo** linked to an automated conveyor system for soy, wheat, and corn exports.
- **Two chill‑rooms** (total capacity 12,000 TEU) maintaining temperatures of –20 °C for salmon fillets and krill products.
The port also offers **on‑site repair workshops**, a **dry dock (70 m x 10 m)**, and a **fuel farm** with a 2 million‑litre capacity for bunker supply.
### Supporting services
Efficient maritime operations are underpinned by a suite of ancillary services:
- **Pilotage** – Certified pilots with local knowledge provide mandatory guidance for all vessels exceeding 100 m LOA.
- **Customs & Quarantine** – Integrated with the Chilean National Customs System (SICEX), enabling electronic data interchange (EDI) for swift clearance.
- **Security** – 24/7 port security overseen by the Chilean Navy, employing CCTV, perimeter fencing, and vessel monitoring through AIS.
- **Logistics parks** – Two adjacent industrial zones host warehousing, freight forwarders, and a free‑trade zone that offers tax incentives for value‑added processing.
## Economic Importance
### Regional impact
Bahía San Gregorio is the **economic linchpin** for the Magallanes region, accounting for approximately **18 % of the province’s export value**. The port’s activities generate an estimated **2,400 direct jobs** and support an additional **5,800 indirect positions** in logistics, manufacturing, and service sectors. The municipal tax base has risen by 22 % over the past decade, largely driven by port‑related revenues.
### Key industries
- **Aquaculture** – The southern Chilean coastline is a world‑renowned salmon‑farming zone. In 2023, the port exported **1.1 Mt of frozen salmon**, making it the **second‑largest salmon‑export hub** after Puerto Montt.
- **Minerals & Energy** – Copper concentrate, iron ore, and a growing **LNG (liquefied natural gas)** trade flow through the terminal. The offshore San Gregorio Basin supplies an average of **0.9 Mt of LNG** annually, positioning the port as a strategic node for the trans‑Pacific gas market.
- **Tourism & Cruise** – Seasonal cruise ships (up to 1,500 passengers) call at the port for excursions to the nearby Torres del Paine National Park, contributing to the local hospitality sector.
A 2024 impact study by the **Universidad de Magallanes** highlighted that the port’s expansion has **reduced regional freight costs by 14 %**, improving competitiveness for export‑oriented SMEs.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Export commodities
1. **Frozen salmon & seafood** – Primarily destined for the European Union (Spain, Norway) and Asian markets (Japan, China).
2. **Copper concentrate & iron ore** – Shipped via bulk carriers to Asian smelters (South Korea, India) and European steel mills.
3. **LNG** – Exported under long‑term contracts to the Pacific Northwest (U.S.) and East Asian basins.
### Import commodities
- **Heavy machinery & mining equipment** – Sourced from Germany, the United States, and Japan to support the regional extractive sector.
- **Fertilizers & agro‑chemicals** – Imported largely from Brazil and the United Arab Emirates to sustain local agriculture.
- **Consumer goods** – Including refrigerated and frozen food, which transit via container ships from the Panama Canal to meet the demands of the local population.
### Main shipping lines and connectivity
Bahía San Gregorio is serviced by several **global liner carriers**, notably **Maersk Line**, **Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)**, and the **CMA CGM** Asia‑Pacific network. Regular **Panamax routes** link the port to the Panama Canal, enabling a **four‑week round‑trip** to the East Coast of the United States and the Caribbean. Direct **South‑American loop services** connect the port with Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), while **specialized LNG carriers** operate a bi‑weekly schedule to the Pacific Gas Export Terminal in Vancouver, Canada.
For detailed maritime traffic data and vessel itineraries, the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) AIS database** provides real‑time analytics (see IMO AIS Vessel Tracking↗). Additionally, the official **UN/LOCODE registry** offers verification of the port’s coding and locational attributes (see UN/LOCODE CLBAG↗).
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Bahía San Gregorio exemplifies a **modern, multi‑modal South American gateway** where deep‑water capabilities, diversified cargo handling, and strategic location converge to drive regional prosperity. Its continued investment in infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and digital logistics positions the port to remain a pivotal node in the evolving global supply chain for the next decade.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLBAG
Country
Chile
Province / Region
Magallanes
Latitude
-52.620000
Longitude
-70.130000
Timezone
America/Santiago
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Bahia San Gregorio?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Bahia San Gregorio is CLBAG.
Where is Port of Bahia San Gregorio located?
The Port of Bahia San Gregorio is located in Chile, Magallanes. Its coordinates are -52.6200°N, -70.1300°E.
What time zone is Port of Bahia San Gregorio in?
Port of Bahia San Gregorio operates in the America/Santiago 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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