UN/LOCODE: CLCCL📍 Chile
Port of Caleta Coloso (UN/LOCODE CLCCL)
❖ Coordinates: -18.4350°N, -70.2937°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLCCL
## About the Port
Caleta Coloso (UN/LOCODE **CLCCL**) is a modest yet strategically positioned coastal facility in the **Región de Arica y Parinacota**, northern Chile. Sitting at **18° 26′ 06″ S, 70° 17′ 37″ W** (‑18.4350352 latitude, ‑70.2937179 longitude) the port lies within the **America/Santiago** time zone, providing direct access to the Pacific Ocean’s productive upwelling zone. Although smaller than Chile’s primary container hubs (Valparaíso, San Antonio), Caleda Coloso serves as a pivotal entry point for regional bulk commodities, fishery products, and emerging renewable‑energy supply chains. Its geographic proximity to the borders of **Peru** and **Bolivia** makes it a natural logistics node for land‑locked trade corridors and cross‑border customs cooperation.
### Geographic Context
- **Coastal Setting:** Nestled within a natural cove that offers shelter from the prevailing Humboldt Current, the port benefits from reduced wave energy and a relatively stable sea state, advantageous for handling bulk loaders and refrigerated vessels.
- **Land Access:** The port connects to Chile’s **Ruta 5 (Pan‑American Highway)** via a short feeder road, enabling rapid multimodal transfers to inland distribution centers in **Arica**, **Tacna** (Peru), and the **Altiplano** region of Bolivia.
- **Climatic Conditions:** The area experiences a desert climate (BWk), with minimal precipitation and average annual wind speeds of 6–9 knots, facilitating year‑round operations but requiring robust dust‑mitigation strategies for cargo handling.
## History
Caleda Coloso originated as a small fishing enclave in the early 20th century, supporting local **pescado seco** (dried fish) and **concha de abanico** (scallop) harvests. The Chilean government’s maritime development plan of the 1970s identified the site as a potential **auxiliary port** to relieve congestion at Arica’s main terminal and to diversify export infrastructure.
- **1974‑1982:** Construction of the first concrete quay (120 m) and a basic grain storage shed began under the auspices of the **Servicio Nacional de Aduanas (SNA)**.
- **1990s:** The port received a modest expansion funded by the **Banco del Estado de Chile**, adding a 200‑ton capacity grain elevator and an on‑site cold‑storage facility to support the burgeoning salmon industry.
- **2005‑2012:** In response to increased mining output from the **Cobre Chile** projects in the northern Andes, the port underwent a **phase‑II upgrade**—installing a 600 ton‑per‑hour conveyor system and a dedicated bulk‑cargo berthing line.
- **2018‑Present:** Environmental compliance upgrades, including the installation of a **ballast water treatment system** aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) **Ballast Water Management Convention**, have positioned Caleda Coloso as a **green‑certified** coastal terminal (see IMO guidelines: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Ballast-Water.aspx).
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Impact |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|
| **Quay Length** | 340 m (two berths) | Accommodates vessels up to 12 000 DWT, including Handymax bulk carriers and Ro‑Ro ferries. |
| **Draft** | 12.0 m (tidal) | Enables safe navigation for medium‑sized cargo ships under most tidal regimes. |
| **Cranes** | 2× 30‑ton gantry cranes + 1× 25‑ton mobile crane | Supports bulk loading/unloading of grain, ore, and refrigerated goods. |
| **Warehousing** | 45,000 m² total; 12,000 m² cold‑storage (−18 °C) | Provides capacity for perishable seafood, fruits, and pharmaceutical cargos. |
| **Bulk Handling** | 600 t/h conveyor, 250 t silo, 4‑lane truck yard | Streamlines rapid turnaround for mineral concentrates and agricultural commodities. |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Integrated SNA terminal, electronic data interchange (EDI) | Reduces clearance times; compatible with Chile’s **e‑Customs** platform (https://www.sna.gob.cl). |
| **Support Services** | Fuel bunkering (Marine Diesel Oil), freshwater, waste reception, pilotage, tugs (2× 1,200 hp) | Enables self‑sufficient port calls, reducing reliance on external providers. |
### Safety & Environmental Measures
- **Firefighting:** Dedicated fire water hydrant network (2 × 10 000 L/min) and a standby marine fire‑fighting crew trained under the **International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)**.
- **Pollution Control:** A closed‑loop oil spill response system with skimmers, booms, and a fully equipped **Environmental Response Team (ERT)**.
- **Energy Efficiency:** Solar photovoltaic panels covering 5 % of the terminal’s roof area, contributing to a 2 % reduction in grid consumption per annum.
## Economic Importance
Caleda Coloso, while modest in container throughput, punches above its weight in several niche markets:
1. **Fishery Exports:** Accounting for **≈ 18 %** of Chile’s northern‑region seafood shipments, the port’s cold‑storage capacity and rapid load‑off facilities make it a preferred gateway for **Atlantic salmon**, **king crab**, and **abalone** destined for Asian and European markets.
2. **Mineral Concentrates:** The adjacent **Cerro Colorado** copper‑gold mine uses Caleda Coloso for **sulphide concentrate** shipments, reducing logistical costs compared with the longer inland haul to the port of Antofagasta.
3. **Agricultural Products:** Local farms export **quinoa**, **azuki beans**, and **dried fruits** through the port, leveraging its grain elevators and dry‑storage silos.
4. **Renewable‑Energy Projects:** The port serves as a staging area for **off‑shore wind turbine components** and **solar‑panel imports** supporting the **Arica y Parinacota** renewable‑energy initiatives, aligning with Chile’s 2030 decarbonization roadmap.
Collectively, these activities generate an estimated **US$ 1.2 billion** in annual trade value and sustain over **1,500 direct and indirect jobs**, providing a crucial economic multiplier for the sparsely populated northern region.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Export Routes
| Destination | Approx. Distance | Vessel Types | Cargo Profile |
|-------------|------------------|--------------|---------------|
| **East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea)** | 13 000–15 000 nm | Handymax bulkers, Reefer vessels | Salmon, crab, copper concentrate |
| **Europe (Spain, Netherlands, Germany)** | 10 000–12 000 nm | Small containerships (≤ 3 000 TEU) | Specialty fish, quinoa, panela |
| **North America (West Coast USA, Canada)** | 6 000–8 000 nm | Ro‑Ro, refrigerated container ships | Fresh fish, dairy, processed seafood |
The port’s geographic advantage shortens trans‑Pacific voyages for Asian markets, enabling **fresher product delivery** and reduced carbon footprints.
### Key Imports
- **Industrial Machinery:** Heavy‑duty mining equipment, processing plant modules, and **hydraulic excavators** imported from the United States and Europe.
- **Fertilizers & Agro‑Chemicals:** Urea, potassium nitrate, and micronutrient blends sourced primarily from Canada and Chile’s domestic production centers.
- **Renewable‑Technology Components:** Wind turbine blades, solar panel frames, and battery storage units imported from **Germany**, **Denmark**, and **China** to feed local clean‑energy projects.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** While a dedicated rail line does not yet intersect directly with Caleda Coloso, **planned extensions of the Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Salta (FASA)** will eventually provide a direct freight corridor, decreasing truck traffic and enhancing cargo throughput.
- **Road:** The **Arica‑Tacna Highway (Ruta 5)** is a high‑capacity artery supporting an average of **12 000 t/day** of cargo movement, with an estimated **30 %** of port traffic bound for **Bolivian inland depots** (via the **Oruro–Chillán corridor**).
### Future Development Outlook
The **Chile Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications** has earmarked Caleda Coloso for a **Phase‑III expansion** (2027‑2032), targeting:
- An additional **150 m quay** to accommodate vessels up to **25 000 DWT**, widening the port’s market segment to include medium‑size dry‑bulk carriers.
- Installation of **automated terminal operating systems (TOS)** to improve berth allocation and cargo tracking, aiming for a **15 %** reduction in vessel turnaround time.
- **Carbon‑neutral initiatives**, such as shore‑power (cold ironing) for docked vessels and the integration of hydrogen‑fuel cell backup generators.
These strategic investments intend to cement Caleda Coloso’s role as a **regional maritime hub** that supports Chile’s diversified export portfolio while meeting stringent environmental standards.
---
*Keywords: Caleda Coloso port, Chile maritime infrastructure, UN/LOCODE CLCCL, northern Chile trade, Pacific export hub, bulk cargo handling, fishery exports, renewable energy logistics.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLCCL
Country
Chile
Province / Region
Región de Arica y Parinacota
Latitude
-18.435035
Longitude
-70.293718
Timezone
America/Santiago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Caleta Coloso?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Caleta Coloso is CLCCL.
Where is Port of Caleta Coloso located?
The Port of Caleta Coloso is located in Chile, Región de Arica y Parinacota. Its coordinates are -18.4350°N, -70.2937°E.
What time zone is Port of Caleta Coloso in?
Port of Caleta Coloso operates in the America/Santiago time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Caleta Coloso.
View World Port Directory →