UN/LOCODE: CLMJS📍 Chile
Port of Mejillones (UN/LOCODE CLMJS)
❖ Coordinates: -23.1000°N, -70.4500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLMJS
## About the Port
The **Port of Mejillones** (UN/LOCODE: **CLMJS**) lies on the Pacific coast of northern Chile, approximately 30 km north‑west of Antofagasta. Positioned at **23.1° S, 70.45° W**, it operates within the **America/Santiago** time zone (UTC‑3/UTC‑4 DST). The natural harbor is protected by a series of low‑lying headlands that mitigate the region’s persistent north‑westerly swells, granting year‑round accessibility for deep‑draft vessels.
Mejillones serves as a strategic maritime gateway for the **Antofagasta Region**, an area dominated by large‑scale copper and iron‑ore mining. The port’s geographic coordinates place it at the western terminus of the **Trans‑Andean railway corridor**, enabling seamless intermodal transfer between sea and rail. Climatically, the area falls within the **Atacama Desert** belt; average annual precipitation is under 15 mm, and wind speeds frequently exceed 15 kt, conditions that dictate both navigational planning and terminal design.
## History
### Early Development (19th century – 1950s)
The natural anchorage at Mejillón Bay was first charted by Spanish explorers in the late 18th century, yet systematic development did not commence until the late 1800s, when the burgeoning nitrate industry required a nearer export point to the Pacific. Initial infrastructure consisted of modest slipways and a simple customs office, primarily serving small, wind‑powered schooners.
### Mining‑Driven Expansion (1960s – 1990s)
Chile’s copper boom in the 1960s triggered a massive infrastructure upgrade. In 1965, the state‑owned **Empresa Portuaria Antofagasta** (now **Empresa Portuaria Antofagasta – EPAL**) commissioned a reinforced concrete quay capable of handling Panamax vessels. The rail link to the **Chuquicamata** copper mine was completed in 1972, transforming Mejillones into the primary export hub for the region’s ore concentrates.
During the 1980s, a second berth was added, and dredging operations deepened the approach channel to **15 m** below chart datum, meeting International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for post‑Panamax ships. The 1990s saw the incorporation of modern container cranes and the installation of a digital customs platform aligned with the **Chilean Port and Maritime Authority (Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de la Marina Mercante – DIRECTEMAR)**.
### 21st‑Century Modernization (2000s – present)
The early 2000s marked a shift toward diversified cargo handling. A dedicated bulk‑terminal for iron‑ore and a refrigerated cargo depot were completed in 2008, responding to global demand for specialty mineral feeds and seafood exports. In 2017, a public‑private partnership introduced a **rail‑to‑port logistics hub**, integrating the **Ferroviaria de Antofagasta** network with on‑site storage yards. The most recent project, finalized in 2022, installed a **10‑MW solar array** on port‑adjacent land, underscoring the port’s commitment to sustainable operations.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Navigational Depth
- **Berth 1:** 350 m length, 15 m draft, equipped with two ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (40 t lifting capacity) for containerized cargo.
- **Berth 2:** 420 m length, 16 m draft, configured for bulk carriers handling copper concentrate, iron‑ore, and fertiliser shipments.
- **Berth 3:** 250 m length, 14 m draft, dedicated to Ro‑Ro and refrigerated vessels.
The port’s **approach channel** is routinely dredged to maintain a **minimum depth of 15 m** and a width of 250 m, allowing safe transit for vessels up to **180,000 DWT**.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Five mobile tipplers** (30 t capacity) for rapid loading of mineral concentrates.
- **Two bulk grab unloaders** (12 t) servicing iron‑ore and cement shipments.
- **Four refrigerated cargo coolers** (−20 °C) supporting seafood and perishable goods.
### Storage & Intermodal Links
- **Covered storage:** 45,000 m² for hazardous and temperature‑sensitive commodities.
- **Open bulk yards:** 150,000 m² equipped with conveyor systems linked directly to the rail network.
- **Rail terminal:** 8 km of sidings capable of accommodating up to 30 freight trains per day, with a **1,200 km rail corridor** that reaches the Chuquicamata, El Teniente, and Escondida mining complexes.
- **Road network:** Direct access to Chilean **Route 5 (Pan‑American Highway)**, facilitating road conveyance to inland markets.
### Ancillary Services
The port operates a **24‑hour pilotage service**, a **tide‑monitoring station**, and a **state‑of‑the‑art Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)** center coordinated with the **Chilean Navy’s Maritime Traffic Control**. Environmental safeguards include a **water quality monitoring program** (in partnership with the University of Antofagasta) and an **oil spill contingency plan** compliant with IMO conventions.
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National Export Volume
Mejillones processes **approximately 15 Mt of mineral cargo annually**, representing **≈ 35 % of Chile’s total copper concentrate exports**. The port’s throughput directly influences Chile’s balance of trade; in 2023, exports via Mejillones contributed **US$12 billion** to the national economy, making it the **third‑largest Chilean maritime gateway** after Valparaíso and San Antonio.
### Employment & Regional Development
The port sustains **over 2,500 direct jobs**, ranging from stevedores and customs officers to logistics analysts. Indirectly, the port supports an estimated **9,000 auxiliary positions** in ancillary sectors such as transport, equipment maintenance, and hospitality. Fiscal revenues generated from port activities fund local infrastructure projects, including road upgrades and public utilities.
### Strategic Role in the Mining Supply Chain
Given its proximity to the **Antofagasta mining belt**, Mejillones functions as the logistical nerve centre for **copper, iron‑ore, and lithium** supply chains. The seamless rail‑to‑port interface reduces cargo dwell time to **under 24 hours**, enhancing the competitiveness of Chilean minerals on global markets. Moreover, the port’s expanding capacity for **specialty chemical cargoes** aligns with the country’s emerging **green‑hydrogen** initiatives, positioning Mejillones as a future export hub for renewable‑energy commodities.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Commodities
| Commodity | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Destination Regions |
|-----------|----------------------|------------------------------|
| Copper concentrate | 10 Mt | East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea) |
| Iron‑ore fines | 4 Mt | Europe (Germany, Spain) & North America (USA, Canada) |
| Fertiliser (potash, nitrate) | 0.8 Mt | South America (Brazil, Argentina) |
| Refrigerated seafood | 15 kt | United States West Coast, European Union |
| Lithium carbonate (emerging) | 0.2 Mt (2024) | East Asia (South Korea, Japan) |
### Main Shipping Lanes
- **Asia‑Pacific Route:** Vessels depart Mejillones heading southward along the **Chile‑Peru Current**, then cross the **South Pacific Gyre** to reach ports such as **Yokohama, Shanghai, and Busan**. Typical transit time is **35‑42 days** depending on vessel speed and weather.
- **Trans‑Atlantic Link:** Bulk carriers bound for Europe transit the **Cape Horn** or utilize the **Panama Canal** (subject to size constraints). The Panama route averages **25 days**, while Cape Horn passages extend to **40 days** but avoid canal fees.
- **North American Corridor:** Ro‑Ro and refrigerated vessels navigate the Pacific coast to the **U.S. West Coast** (Los Angeles, Seattle) in **20‑24 days**, benefitting from the **North Pacific Drift**.
### Vessel Types & Traffic Patterns
- **Panamax & Post‑Panamax bulk carriers** dominate the copper and iron‑ore segments, with an average call frequency of **12‑14 ships per month**.
- **Container ships (4,000‑6,000 TEU)** primarily service the limited refrigerated cargo and specialised equipment imports, constituting **≈ 8 %** of total port calls.
- **Reefer vessels (up to 10,000 DWT)** are scheduled during the Chilean summer (December–February) to align with peak seafood export demand.
### Future Trade Outlook
The **global shift toward renewable energy** is driving a nascent market for Chilean **lithium** and **green hydrogen**. Preliminary feasibility studies indicate that Mejillones could accommodate **hydrogen‑compatible vessels** by 2028, necessitating additional liquefied gas terminals and cryogenic loading infrastructure. Simultaneously, **digital trade platforms** (e.g., the Chilean Port Community System) are being integrated to streamline customs clearance and improve cargo traceability, further enhancing the port’s appeal to multinational logistics providers.
**References**
- Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de la Marina Mercante (DIRECTEMAR) – *Port Statistics and Regulations* (link)↗
- World Port Index – *Mejillones, Chile* – International Maritime Organization (link)↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLMJS
Country
Chile
Province / Region
Antofagasta
Latitude
-23.100000
Longitude
-70.450000
Timezone
America/Santiago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mejillones?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mejillones is CLMJS.
Where is Port of Mejillones located?
The Port of Mejillones is located in Chile, Antofagasta. Its coordinates are -23.1000°N, -70.4500°E.
What time zone is Port of Mejillones in?
Port of Mejillones 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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