UN/LOCODE: CLSVE📍 Chile
Port of San Vicente (UN/LOCODE CLSVE)
❖ Coordinates: -36.7000°N, -73.1300°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLSVE
## About the Port
San Vicente (UN/LOCODE: **CLSVE**) is a strategically situated ocean‑going facility on Chile’s central Pacific coast, within the **Biobío Region**. The port lies at **36°42′ S, 73°08′ W** (‑36.7 ° latitude, ‑73.13 ° longitude) and operates on **America/Santiago** time (UTC‑3/UTC‑4). Administratively managed by the **Dirección General del Puerto** of the Ministry of Public Works, San Vicente functions as a mixed‑use hub supporting containerized trade, bulk commodities, and a growing offshore services sector. Its natural deep‑water anchorage, protected by a breakwater system, accommodates vessels up to **80 000 DWT** and provides direct road and rail connections to the national logistics network.
### Geographical Context
The port sits at the mouth of the **Río Laja**, an estuarine corridor that links the agricultural heartland of the Maule‑Bío‑Bío basin to the Pacific Ocean. The surrounding terrain is characterized by gently rolling hills and a temperate maritime climate, which yields minimal seasonal variation in sea state—factors that enhance year‑round operability. Proximity to major urban centers such as **Concepción** (≈ 45 km north) and **San Pedro de la Paz** supplies a ready labor pool and ancillary services.
## History
San Vicente traces its origins to the late 19th century, when the Chilean government initiated a series of coastal development projects to diversify export routes beyond the congested ports of Valparaíso and Antofagasta. Initial facilities consisted of a modest pier and grain warehouses serving the burgeoning wheat and livestock export market. By the 1930s, the port had been incorporated into the national railway network (Ferrocarril del Pacífico), prompting a modest expansion of cargo handling capacity.
### Mid‑20th Century Modernisation
Post‑World War II economic policy emphasized industrialisation, prompting a **1957–1963** reconstruction that introduced a reinforced concrete quay, mechanised grain elevators, and a dedicated oil bunker. The advent of containerisation in the 1970s spurred the construction of the first container yard (1976), positioning San Vicente as a secondary node in Chile’s emerging intermodal chain.
### Recent Developments
In the early 2000s, the port benefited from a public‑private partnership model that funded a **deep‑draft expansion** (completed 2012) and the installation of a gantry crane capable of handling 30‑tonne TEU lifts. In 2020, a **green‑port initiative** introduced shore‑power connections and low‑sulphur fuel supply to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) **2020 sulphur cap** regulations.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
San Vicente’s infrastructure reflects a balance between traditional bulk handling and modern container operations.
| Facility | Specification | Function |
|----------|----------------|----------|
| **Main quay** | 1,250 m length, 13 m draft | Handles container ships, general cargo vessels, and roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) traffic. |
| **Container yard** | 200,000 m², 8–10 ha, 15,000 TEU capacity | Equipped with rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, reach stackers, and automated gate systems. |
| **Bulk terminals** | Two silos (35 kt each) for grain; 1 Mt capacity for minerals | Supports wheat, corn, and iron‑ore exports, with shiploader rates of up to 4,500 t/h. |
| **Petroleum terminal** | 90 k m³ storage, dual‑pipeline off‑load | Serves regional fuel distribution and bunkering for vessels ≤ 80,000 DWT. |
| **Ro‑Ro berth** | 450 m slipway, 12 m draft | Facilitates import of automotive components, heavy machinery, and export of timber logs. |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Integrated with the Chilean Servicio Nacional de Aduanas | Enables 24/7 clearance for high‑value cargoes. |
| **Rail link** | 1,000 mm gauge, direct connection to the **Southern Network** (Red Sur) | Provides seamless inland transport to the central valley and Argentine border. |
| **Road access** | Connection to **Ruta 5 (Pan‑American Highway)** | Guarantees rapid truck dispatch to domestic markets. |
| **Support services** | Ship repair dock (150 m), cold storage (25,000 m³), IT‑enabled terminal operating system (TOS) | Enhances turnaround efficiency and cargo integrity. |
The port’s **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** platform integrates with major shipping lines and forwarders, offering real‑time visibility of vessel schedules, yard inventory, and customs documentation. Recent upgrades incorporate **IoT‑based yard sensors** to monitor container dwell times and ambient conditions, aligning with global best practices outlined by the **World Shipping Council**.[^1]
## Economic Importance
San Vicente contributes significantly to regional and national economic metrics. In 2023, the port recorded a **throughput of 12.4 Mt**, accounting for **≈ 7 % of Chile’s total maritime cargo volume**. Primary economic drivers include:
* **Agricultural exports** – the Biobío basin’s wheat, soy, and fruit output rely on San Vicente for direct ocean access, reducing logistics costs versus over‑land routes to Valparaíso.
* **Forestry products** – the southern Chilean timber industry exports processed lumber and pulp, leveraging the port’s Ro‑Ro facilities to ship large‑scale timber bundles.
* **Energy distribution** – the petroleum terminal supplies over **1.2 Mt** of refined fuels annually to the central‐southern market, supporting regional power generation and transportation sectors.
The port’s **employment footprint** exceeds 2,500 permanent positions, with additional seasonal labor during peak harvest periods. Its multiplier effect extends to ancillary sectors such as warehousing, logistics, and marine engineering, generating an estimated **US$1.1 billion** in regional GDP annually.
### Strategic Role in National Policy
Chile’s **National Logistics Strategy (2022‑2027)** designates San Vicente as a “secondary hub” intended to de‑congest primary ports and stimulate balanced regional development. Investment incentives linked to the **Export Promotion Programme** encourage private operators to expand cold‑chain capabilities, targeting higher‑value perishable cargoes such as berries and salmon.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
San Vicente’s trade network integrates **trans‑Pacific, intra‑American, and intra‑regional** corridors.
### Pacific Routes
* **Asia‑Pacific** – Regular sailings to Shanghai, Busan, and Tokyo carry Chilean grain, wood pellets, and frozen seafood, while returning cargoes include electronic components, vehicles, and machinery parts.
* **North America** – Direct services to the West Coast (e.g., Los Angeles, Vancouver) transport containerised fruit, wine, and timber, with inbound loads of wheat, maize, and consumer goods.
### South American Links
* **Argentina & Uruguay** – Overland rail and road connections feed into the Río de la Plata basin, enabling export of Chilean wheat and import of Argentine soy‑bean meal.
* **Peru & Bolivia** – San Vicente offers an alternative gateway for Bolivian inland cargoes, especially via roll‑on/roll‑off services that connect to the **Pan‑American Highway**.
### Key Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (2023) | Primary Trade Partner(s) |
|------------|----------------------|--------------------------|
| **Grain (wheat, corn)** | 4.2 Mt | China, Japan, South Korea |
| **Timber & lumber** | 2.8 Mt | United States, Europe |
| **Petroleum products** | 1.2 Mt | Domestic (Chile) |
| **Frozen seafood** | 0.9 Mt | United States, EU |
| **Containerised manufactures** | 2.3 Mt (TEU) | USA, EU, Asia |
The port’s **container throughput** is predominantly comprised of **imported finished goods**—electronics, automotive parts, and chemicals—supporting the manufacturing base of the Biobío industrial corridor. Export containers are largely **agricultural** (fresh fruit, frozen seafood) and **forestry** products, reflecting the region’s comparative advantage.
### Emerging Opportunities
* **Renewable energy equipment** – The growth of wind farms in the Biobío highlands presents demand for turbine components, a cargo segment currently under‑served.
* **Cold‑chain logistics** – Investment in **refrigerated container (reefer) capacity** is poised to unlock higher‑margin perishable exports, particularly berries destined for European markets.
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[^1]: World Shipping Council, *Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection*, 2023 – https://worldshipping.org/maritime-safety/
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*Keywords: San Vicente port, CLSVE, Chilean maritime gateway, Biobío region, container terminal, bulk cargo, Pacific trade routes, Chile export logistics.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLSVE
Country
Chile
Province / Region
Biobío
Latitude
-36.700000
Longitude
-73.130000
Timezone
America/Santiago
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 CLSVE.
Where is Port of San Vicente located?
The Port of San Vicente is located in Chile, Biobío. Its coordinates are -36.7000°N, -73.1300°E.
What time zone is Port of San Vicente in?
Port of San Vicente 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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