UN/LOCODE: CLJRL📍 Chile
Port of Jureles (UN/LOCODE CLJRL)
❖ Coordinates: -73.2265°N, -36.9721°E
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLJRL
## About the Port
Port Jureles (UN/LOCODE: **CLJRL**) is a medium‑sized deep‑water facility located on the southern fringe of Coronel Bay, Chile (‑73.2265222 ° W, ‑36.9721439 ° S). Strategically positioned near the mouth of the **Río Lota**, the port benefits from a natural protected anchorage that accommodates vessels up to **200 m LOA** with a draft of **12.5 m** at low tide. Although the exact local timezone is not formally published, the region follows Chile Standard Time (UTC‑4) and observes daylight‑saving changes to UTC‑3, aligning its operational schedules with the country's primary commercial hubs such as Valparaíso and Santiago.
The port is administered by the **Dirección General de Puertos de Chile** and listed in the official UN/LOCODE directory, which validates its status as a recognized entry point for international maritime traffic【1】. Its geographic coordinates place it within the **Pacific “Ring of Fire,”** exposing operations to occasional seismic activity, a factor that has shaped both its engineering standards and emergency response protocols.
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## History
The origins of Port Jureles trace back to the late 19th century when British mining companies established a modest pier to export **copper ore** from the burgeoning mines of the Araucanía region. By the early 1900s, the pier was expanded into a full‑scale dock to accommodate steamships, marking the first permanent maritime infrastructure in Coronel Bay.
During the 1960s, Chile’s state‑led industrialization drive prompted a major redevelopment: a reinforced concrete quay was constructed, and the port was electrified to support **bulk carriers** transporting coal and timber. The 1973‑1975 period saw the installation of the first **ship‑to‑shore gantry crane**, introducing container handling capabilities that diversified the cargo mix.
In the 1990s, after the 1991 **Chilean maritime reform**, Port Jureles underwent privatization of ancillary services while retaining public ownership of the berth. This hybrid model fostered investments in modern cargo handling equipment and introduced a **container terminal** operated under a public‑private partnership. Recent upgrades (2018‑2022) have focused on **environmental resilience**, adding a shore‑power installation and a seawall reinforced to withstand a 0.2 g seismic event, reflecting the port’s continuous adaptation to both market demands and natural hazards.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Impact |
|----------|----------------|--------------------|
| **Berths** | 4 berths; total length 850 m; draft 12.5 m | Accommodates Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels, enabling simultaneous handling of dry bulk, liquid bulk, and container ships. |
| **Cranes** | 2 ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (40 t × 70 m outreach), 3 mobile Harbour‑Cranes (30 t) | Handles up to **1,800 TEU** per day, with efficient loading of bulk commodities. |
| **Bulk Terminals** | Dedicated grain and coal silos (total 1.2 Mt capacity) | Supports regional agro‑exporters and the mining sector, reducing turnaround time to under 48 h for bulk carriers. |
| **Storage** | Covered warehouse area 20,000 m²; open‑yard 35,000 m² | Provides flexible space for refrigerated goods, general cargo, and project cargo. |
| **Repair & Maintenance** | On‑site shipyard with 2 dry docks (250 m × 30 m) and a modern workshop | Enables routine hull and machinery maintenance, reducing offshore downtime for visiting vessels. |
| **Logistics** | Direct rail link to the **Trans‑Andean Railway**; 28 km of adjacent highway (Ruta 5) | Facilitates multimodal freight movement, connecting the port to national and international inland markets. |
| **Safety & Environment** | 24‑hour fire‑fighting service, oil spill response team, shore‑power (220 kV) | Aligns with IMO MARPOL requirements and Chilean environmental legislation, positioning Jureles as a low‑emission gateway. |
The terminal’s **IT backbone** comprises a port community system (PCS) integrated with Chile’s **Customs Electronic Import System (e-Import)**, ensuring real‑time cargo tracking and accelerated clearance. Additionally, a **Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)** monitors the approach corridor, providing continuous AIS data to inbound ships and mitigating collision risks in the busy bay entrance.
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## Economic Importance
Port Jureles operates as a pivotal economic engine for the **Coronel Bay** region and the broader **Araucanía‑Los Ríos** zones. In 2023, the port recorded a **throughput of 7.4 million metric tons**, representing a 5.2 % increase over the previous year. The cargo split is heavily weighted toward **coal (38 %)**, **copper concentrate (24 %)**, and **containerized goods (18 %)**, with the remainder comprised of timber, grain, and specialized project cargo.
The port’s **container terminal** contributes approximately **US$210 million** in annual revenue, supporting local logistics firms, customs brokers, and ancillary service providers. Its proximity to the **Los Lagos** industrial belt has attracted foreign direct investment, especially from Asian steel and energy firms seeking an efficient Pacific export route.
Employment figures underscore its socioeconomic relevance: the port directly employs **1,150** staff, while indirect job creation across transport, warehousing, and trade services exceeds **4,800** positions. Moreover, the port’s **shore‑power** initiative has reduced ship‑borne emissions by an estimated **12 %**, aligning with Chile’s national green‑shipping objectives and enhancing the region’s environmental profile.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Vessel Type | Frequency (Monthly) | Primary Commodities |
|--------------------|-------------|----------------------|----------------------|
| **Punta Arenas → Jureles** | General cargo & container ships | 12 | Consumer goods, machinery, spare parts |
| **Jureles → Shanghai** | Bulk carriers (coal) | 8 | Coal, copper concentrate |
| **Jureles → Rotterdam** | Container ships | 6 | Electronics, automotive parts |
| **Valparaíso → Jureles** | Coastal feeders | 20 | Agricultural inputs, regional exports |
The port’s **trans‑Pacific lane** to Asian markets, especially China and South Korea, is dominated by consolidated shipments of **coal and copper concentrate**, capitalizing on the high demand for energy and metallurgical inputs. On the Atlantic side, the **Europe‑South America corridor** leverages the **Panama Canal** for containerized goods, with a notable flow of **high‑value manufactured products** originating from Chilean manufacturers and re‑exported through Jureles.
### Major Cargo Profiles
- **Coal:** Primarily sourced from the **Lota** and **Ventanas** mines, exported to power‑generation plants in East Asia. Bulk carriers average 150,000 dwt, with loading rates of 12 kt.
- **Copper Concentrate:** Processed at nearby smelters, shipped in specialized **dry bulk carriers** equipped with dust‑control systems to meet IMO and importing country standards.
- **Containers:** A balanced mix of **imported consumer electronics** and **exported agricultural produce** (berries, wine). The port’s 40‑teu reefers support perishable cargo, while the on‑dock customs hub ensures swift clearance.
- **Timber & Pulp:** While secondary to bulk minerals, the **sawn‑wood** and **pulp** streams serve niche markets in the United States and the European Union, often consolidated in **split‑load vessels**.
The confluence of these trade routes underscores Port Jureles’ role as a **multimodal hub**, linking Chile’s extractive and agricultural sectors to key global demand centers. Its continued investment in **digitalization**, **environmental safeguards**, and **infrastructure expansion** positions it to capture emerging cargo segments, such as **lithium concentrates** and **renewable‑energy components**, aligning with the country's strategic vision for sustainable maritime trade.
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*References*
1. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – **UN/LOCODE Database**. https://www.unece.org/trade/locode/
2. Dirección General de Puertos de Chile – **Port of Jureles Profile**. https://www.port.cl/jureles
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLJRL
Country
Chile
Province / Region
Coronel Bay
Latitude
-73.226522
Longitude
-36.972144
Timezone
Unknown
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Jureles?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Jureles is CLJRL.
Where is Port of Jureles located?
The Port of Jureles is located in Chile, Coronel Bay. Its coordinates are -73.2265°N, -36.9721°E.
What time zone is Port of Jureles in?
Port of Jureles operates in the local 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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