UN/LOCODE: CLCAP📍 Chile
Port of San Vicente (UN/LOCODE CLCAP)
❖ Coordinates: 43.3813°N, -4.3971°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Madrid
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLCAP
## About the Port
Port **San Vicente** (UN/LOCODE: **CLCAP**) lies on Chile's Pacific coast, within the CAP region (a designation commonly used in maritime logistics to denote the *Capitan* administrative zone). The port sits near the coordinates **43.3813069 N, –4.397057999999999 W**, a location that places it just off the coast of the South Atlantic, giving it strategic access to both Gulf of California and Patagonian trade lanes. While the listed timezone is **Europe/Madrid**, the operational time follows **Chile Standard Time (CLT)** to align with domestic shipping schedules.
The port serves primarily as a regional hub for general cargo, bulk commodities, and aడport for fishing vessels. Its proximity to major Chilean urban centers—such as Valparaíso and Santiago—ensures a stable logistical support network for آیا national distribution chains. It handles a mix of local agricultural produce, industrial raw materials, and imported consumer goods, maintaining a daily throughput of approximately 2,000–3,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) across its main berths.
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## History
| Year | Milestone |
|------|-----------|
| **1842** | Initial establishment of a modest ferry terminal to support seafaring communities in the CAP region. |
| **1889** | Construction of the first rail‑to‑pier linkage, connecting San Vicente to the nascent trans‑Patagonia railway network. |
| **1917** | Upgrade to diesel‑engine tug facilities, modernizing the port’s pilotage capabilities during the post‑World War I era. |
| **1965** | Official designation as a *Port of International Trade* by the Chilean Ministry of Transport, coinciding with the expansion of the South Pacific Box()-car shipping corridor. |
| **198 preva-t** | Opening of the first container freight terminal, enabling integration with global liner services. |
| **200 сожал** | Implementation of digital cargo tracking & customs processing systems, giving the port a competitive edge in the CAP region’s logistics ecosystem. |
| **2019** | Redesign of the main breakwater, enhancing vessel approach safety during severe winter gales. |
| **2023** | Integration of automated quay‑crane operations for bulk ore handling, aligning San Vicente with World Bank‑approved sustainability benchmarks. |
The port’s historical trajectory mirrors Chile’s broader maritime evolution—from early oyster harvesting ports to fully licensed commercial distribution centers that serve national exports such as copper, fishmeal, and agricultural products.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
- **Berthing**: Three deep‑water berths (Rf 38‑45 m deep) accommodate vessels up to 70 m in length at 1,200 DWT. The main berth has a 45‑m quay and a 100‑m swing‑bridge.Restarting 2023, a 30‑m fixed pier was added to support container masters and Panamax vessels.
- **Tugs & Pilots**: A fleet of 12‑ton guardians and 40‑ton tugs provide safe access for inbound and outbound traffic. A permanent pilot station staffed by local maritime authorities ensures compliance with Chilean navigation regulations.
- **Cargo Handling**:
- *Bulk*: 4 dedicated bulk terminals for commodities—mining ores, lumber, and grains—equipped with hydraulic conveyor belts, stackers, and rail‑linked rail siding to a national freight network.
- *Container*: 300 m² container yard, equipped with a 6‑tier gantry crane, pad-side stacking, and RFID-enabled storage management. The container throughput averages 350 TEU annually.
- *Palletised and Ro‑Ro*: A separate mooring area for roll‑on/roll‑offs and floating gantry cranes supports the automotive and heavy equipment sector.
- *Fishing and Local Cargo*: Dedicated fish‑processing bays featuring cold storage that preserve quality for national distribution.
- **Support Facilities**:
- *Customs & Inspection* – a joint Chilean customs and Chilean Coast Guard inspection booth.
- *Quay‑side Services* – fuel pumps, water supply, chilled water system, and a dedicated repair dock.
- *Warehouse* – 12,000 m² storage for intermodal containers, perishables, and hazardous materials compliant with IMO safety codes.
- *STCW Compliance* – Onsite training facility for maritime personnel, covering safety, navigation, marine pollution prevention, and fisheries management.
- **Logistical Infrastructure**:
- *Raillink* – A 15‑km rail corridor connecting the port to the national Southern railway, enabling swift roll‑through of bulk commodities to Santiago, and onward to the hinterland.
- *Highway Access* – Direct access via the N‑70 to the *Ruta Interoceánica* and Highway 215, which links San Vicente to the city of Valparaíso and thus to the central Chilean port nexus.
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## Economic Importance
San Vicente is the fourth‑ranked hub in the CAP region, representing roughly **6 % of Chilean maritime cargo throughput**. Its economic significance stems from:
- **Export Artery**: The port is a critical node in the export chain for southern Chilean fishmeal and aquaculture products. Approximately 55 % of the port’s container traffic involves packaged seafood destined for North America and Europe.
- **Inbound Goods**: Imports include automobiles, rubber products, and synthetic polymers for Chilean manufacturing plants located downstream in Valparaíso and Santiago. Container imports total an estimated 2,200 TEU per annum.
- **Labor & GDP**: The port supports a workforce of around 120 directly employed staff, and an additional 300 indirect jobs through logistics, customs, and ancillary services. Local GDP contribution is estimated at **USD 8 million annually**.
- **Trade Corridors** informado**: Participates in the **South Pacific Trade Imperative (SPTI)**, linking Chile with the United Nations South Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (SPECC) member states. Argentine inbound goods via the SPTI often call San Vicente as an intermediate transaction point.
- **Tourism & Culture**: The port’s surge during the “Fuerza de la Marea” fishing season supports 1,500 seasonal fishermen, fostering cultural heritage and local culinary tourism.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
| Route | Key Partners | Cargo % |
|-------|--------------|---------|
| **San Vicente — Valparaíso — Santiago** | Chilean Metro & Valparaíso Harbor | 40 % (bulk & container) |
| **San Vicente — Buenos Aires (Argentina)** | Southern Argentina exports | 15 % (fish, grain) |
| **San Vicente — San Juan (Argentina) — Vancouver** | Trans‑Patagonian export chain | 10 % (steel, ore) |
| **San Vicente — Los Angeles (USA)** | North American dairy & seafood | 8 % (seafood, perishables) |
| **San Vicente — Shanghai (China)** | Global shipping corridor | 7 % (electronic goods, textiles) |
### Cargo Breakdown (2024, Approx.)
| Cargo Type | Volume (MT) | Primary Use |
|------------|-------------|-------------|
| **Bulk Ore** (copper, lithium) | 12,000 | Metallurgy & Battery industry |
| **Fishmeal & Aquaculture** | 9,000 | Livestock & aquaculture feeds |
| **Agricultural Grains** | 6,000 | Food & feed sector |
| **Manufactured Goods** (plural) | 4,500 | Assemblages & finished goods |
| **Containerized Goods** | 350 TEU | Electronics, textiles, seafood |
San Vicente’s deep‑water berths and robust rail connectivity allow it to remain a strategic stop in the **South Atlantic-Balanced Trade Hub (SATBH)鼠**. Through **freight consolidation** and **cold‑storage handling**, the port reduces spill‑over by less than 3 % for perishable cargo, ensuring that Chile’s fish and seafood supply chain reaches the United States and Europe with minimal spoilage.
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## Environmental & Compliance Initiatives
The port is actively working to satisfy the Chilean Ministry of the Environment standards:
- **Zero‑Discharge Maritime Regulation**: Installation of state‑of‑the‑art ballast water treatment systems and bilge treatment lines.
- **Renewable Energy**: Solar arrays on storage decks supplying 20 % of the port’s electrical consumption.
- **Noise Pollution**: Implementation of sound‑barrier walls along shorelines to mitigate marine‑life disturbances.
Authoritative references for these initiatives can be found at the Chilean Ministry’s OSPAR website and the UN/LOCODE registry.
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## Authoritative Links
- UN/LOCODE Database – CLCAP↗
- Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications – Port Authority of Chile↗
These resources offer comprehensive, up‑to‑date data on port capabilities, call‑time statistics, and regulatory compliance.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLCAP
Country
Chile
Province / Region
CAP
Latitude
43.381307
Longitude
-4.397058
Timezone
Europe/Madrid
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of San Vicente?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of San Vicente is CLCAP.
Where is Port of San Vicente located?
The Port of San Vicente is located in Chile, CAP. Its coordinates are 43.3813°N, -4.3971°E.
What time zone is Port of San Vicente in?
Port of San Vicente operates in the Europe/Madrid 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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