UN/LOCODE: CLTHO📍 Chile
Port of Talcahuano (UN/LOCODE CLTHO)
❖ Coordinates: -36.7248°N, -73.1170°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago
❖ UN/LOCODE: CLTHO
## About the Port
Located at **‑36.7247834 °S, ‑73.1169808 °W** in the heart of Chile’s Bío Bío Region, the **Port of Talcahuano** (UN/LOCODE: **CLTHO**) is a strategic gateway for both domestic and international maritime traffic. Operated by the **Subsecretaría de Marina Mercante (SMM)**, the port lies within the **America/Santiago** time zone (UTC‑4/‑3 DST) and serves the industrial and agricultural hinterland of the central-south Chilean corridor.
Key attributes that define the port’s profile include:
* **Deep‑water access** – natural depth exceeding 12 m at the berths, accommodating Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels.
* **Multi‑modal connectivity** – a direct link to the Panamerican Highway (Route 5) and the **Ferrocarril de Concepción–Talcahuano** railway, facilitating seamless cargo transfer.
* **Proximity to major economic centers** – only 10 km from Concepción, Chile’s second‑largest urban agglomeration, and a short distance to the **Alto Bío Bío industrial zone**.
The port’s geographic positioning on the **Pacific Coast** also makes it a natural hub for shipments traversing the **South Pacific trade corridor**, linking East Asian manufacturers with South American importers.
> For official coding and location details, see the UN/LOCODE database: UN/LOCODE CLTHO↗.
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## History
The origins of Talcahuano’s harbour date back to the early 19th century, when the natural bay was first used by Spanish colonial vessels for timber and hide exports. Following Chile’s independence, the nascent government recognized the site’s strategic value and commissioned the first **customs house (aduana)** in 1853.
* **Late 19th century:** Construction of a breakwater and the first wooden wharf marked the transition from a modest fishing inlet to a commercial port.
* **1905–1912:** Expansion under President Ramón Freire introduced a coal‑fueled rail link, enabling the export of nitrate and copper from the interior Andes.
* **1970s–1980s:** Military‑government initiatives modernized the terminal with reinforced concrete berths and mechanized cargo handling, positioning Talcahuano as a primary export hub for Chile’s burgeoning salmon industry.
* **1994:** The port entered a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, granting the SMM operational authority while inviting foreign investment for terminal upgrades.
Earthquake resilience became a focal point after the **2010 Maule earthquake** (Mw 8.8). The port’s breakwater and quay structures were retrofitted to meet updated **International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards**, ensuring rapid post‑disaster recovery and continuity of trade.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **12 berthing slots** ranging from 250 m to 450 m in length.
- **Maximum permissible draft:** 13.5 m at low tide, enabling vessels up to 80 000 DWT.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity | Primary Use |
|----------|----------|-------------|
| Two gantry cranes (30 t) | 30 t per lift | Containerized cargo |
| Four mobile harbor cranes (10–20 t) | 20 t max | General cargo, project cargo |
| Dedicated refrigerated containers (reefer) area – 1 200 TEU | – | Perishable goods (salmon, fruit) |
| Bulk handling silos (grain & coal) | 100,000 t total | Bulk commodities |
| Roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramps | – | Automotive and heavy machinery |
### Storage and Logistics
- **Covered warehouses:** 25,000 m², climate‑controlled for high‑value goods.
- **Open yards:** 50 hectares, equipped with heavy‑duty matting for oversized cargo.
- **Customs bonded area:** 8 hectares, facilitating duty‑free transit and re‑export.
### Supporting Services
- **Pilotage and towage** – a dedicated fleet of two tugs (150 t bollard pull) and a local pilot station operational 24 h.
- **Ship‑to‑shore (STS) communications** – VHF, AIS, and satellite uplink for real‑time traffic monitoring.
- **Fueling and bunkering** – diesel and marine gasoil (MGO) dispensers with a combined capacity of 500 m³.
The port’s **Integrated Port Management System (IPMS)**, rolled out in 2019, links berthing allocation, cargo tracking, and customs clearance, delivering a **Turnaround Time (TAT)** reduction of 15 % for container vessels over the previous five years.
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## Economic Importance
Talcahuano operates as the **logistical linchpin** for the Bío Bío Region, which contributes roughly **15 % of Chile’s GDP**. The port’s annual throughput exceeds **15 million metric tons**, with the following sectoral impacts:
| Sector | Contribution to Throughput | Economic Impact |
|--------|----------------------------|-----------------|
| **Aquaculture (salmon)** | 30 % | Generates US$ 2.5 bn in export revenue |
| **Forestry & Pulp** | 25 % | Supports domestic processing and downstream manufacturing |
| **Mining (copper, coal)** | 20 % | Provides export gateway for Chile’s primary mineral commodities |
| **Automotive & Machinery** | 10 % | Enables import of heavy equipment for regional infrastructure projects |
| **General Cargo & Containers** | 15 % | Facilitates intra‑regional trade and e‑commerce growth |
The port also serves as a **strategic naval base** for the Chilean Navy, hosting a small dockyard for vessel maintenance and a forward operating depot for maritime security assets. This dual civilian‑military role bolsters national defense while driving auxiliary economic activities such as ship repair and maritime training.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Pacific Trade Corridors
1. **East Asia ↔ South America** – Regular feeder services connect Talcahuano with key Asian hubs (Shanghai, Busan, and Kobe). The primary cargoes are **frozen salmon**, **timber**, and **copper concentrates**.
2. **Pan‑American West Coast** – Direct liner routes link the port with **Los Angeles**, **Long Beach**, and **Seattle**, handling containerized goods, automotive imports, and consumer electronics.
### Atlantic & European Links
Although not a primary trans‑Atlantic gateway, Talcahuano maintains scheduled calls from **Rotterdam**, **Hamburg**, and **Genoa** via the **Panama Canal**. These services focus on **specialty forest products** and **high‑value manufactured goods** destined for the Chilean market.
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Primary Destination / Origin |
|------------|----------------|------------------------------|
| **Frozen salmon (reefer containers)** | 1.2 million t | Export – EU (Spain, France) & Asia (Japan, China) |
| **Wood pulp & lumber** | 1.0 million t | Export – United States, EU |
| **Copper concentrates** | 0.8 million t | Export – China, Japan |
| **Automobiles & parts** | 150,000 t | Import – Japan, South Korea |
| **General bulk (coal, fertilizers)** | 2.5 million t | Import – Australia, Chilean interior |
The port’s **container throughput** reached **1.1 million TEU** in 2023, reflecting a **4 % year‑on‑year growth** driven by expanding e‑commerce demand and the **Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Chile and the European Union**.
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### Outlook
Looking ahead, the **Port of Talcahuano** is slated for a **Phase II expansion** scheduled for 2027, which will add:
* Two additional deep‑draft berths (up to 15 m) for ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs).
* A dedicated **cryogenic storage complex** to support the emerging **green hydrogen** export market.
* Enhanced **digital twin** capabilities for predictive maintenance and traffic optimization.
These investments aim to cement Talcahuano’s status as a **gateway to the Pacific Southern Cone**, aligning with Chile’s national vision for a **multimodal, resilient, and low‑carbon maritime infrastructure**.
> For comprehensive data on Chilean port performance, consult the **SMM Port Statistics Portal**: Subsecretaría de Marina Mercante – Port Statistics↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CLTHO
Country
Chile
Province / Region
Bío Bío Region
Latitude
-36.724783
Longitude
-73.116981
Timezone
America/Santiago
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Talcahuano?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Talcahuano is CLTHO.
Where is Port of Talcahuano located?
The Port of Talcahuano is located in Chile, Bío Bío Region. Its coordinates are -36.7248°N, -73.1170°E.
What time zone is Port of Talcahuano in?
Port of Talcahuano 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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