UN/LOCODE: CLTOQ📍 Chile

Port of Tocopilla (UN/LOCODE CLTOQ)

❖ Coordinates: -22.0800°N, -70.1800°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago

❖ UN/LOCODE: CLTOQ

## About the Port Located on the Pacific coast of northern Chile, **Port Tocopilla** (UN/LOCODE: **CLTOQ**) serves the Antofagasta Region’s mining heartland. The port sits at latitude ‑22.08 ° and longitude ‑70.18 °, operating under the **America/Santiago** time zone (UTC‑3/UTC‑4). Its geographic position – roughly 200 km north of Antofagasta city and 30 km south of the eponymous town of Tocopilla – makes it a strategic gateway for bulk commodities moving between the Atacama Desert’s high‑altitude mines and global outbound markets. The harbor is administered by the **Dirección General del Puerto de Tocopilla**, which coordinates pilotage, berth allocation, and customs clearance in line with Chilean maritime regulations. ## History The origins of Port Tocopilla trace back to the late‑19th century when nitrate extraction prompted the establishment of a modest anchorage for small sail‑powered vessels. The modern deep‑water terminal, however, originated in the 1970s under the auspices of Chile’s Estado Nacional de la Minería, which sought a dedicated export point for copper ore from the nearby **Chuquicamata** and **Escondida** mines. Construction began in 1972, and the first commercial loading of copper concentrate occurred in 1977. During the 1990s, a series of public‑private partnerships upgraded seawall defenses and added conveyor‑belt systems, enabling the port to accommodate larger capesize vessels. The 2008–2011 expansion, funded jointly by the Chilean government and multinational mining firms, increased the maximum draft from 12 m to 16 m, positioning Tococilla as one of the few Pacific ports in the Southern Hemisphere capable of handling ultra‑large bulk carriers. ## Infrastructure & Facilities | Facility | Specification | Operational Notes | |----------|----------------|-------------------| | **Berths** | 3 deep‑water berths (Berths 1‑3) | Draft ≤ 16 m; length ≈ 350 m each; equipped with high‑capacity ship loaders (up to 9 kt) | | **Conveyor System** | 15 km of continuous belt from inland ore concentrate silos to berths | Automated, remotely monitored; designed for 15 kt/day throughput | | **Storage** | 2 × 250 kt open‑air stockpiles, 2 × 80 kt covered silos | Integrated dust‑control measures; seismic‑resistant foundations | | **Pilotage & Towing** | Dedicated pilotage service (Port Pilot), 2 tugs (150 t) | Mandatory for vessels > 50 kt deadweight | | **Customs & Inspection** | 24 / 7 electronic customs clearance (Chile’s DICOM portal) | Streamlined for bulk cargo, with pre‑clearance options for repeat shippers | | **Support Services** | Dry‑dock (0.5 % of national capacity), bunkering, freshwater (1,000 m³/day) | Operated by third‑party service providers under concession agreements | The port’s **navigation channel** is dredged to a depth of 16 m at mean low tide, with a width of 350 m, ensuring safe passage for vessels up to 300 m LOA. An **on‑site meteorological station** provides real‑time wind, wave, and visibility data to mariners via the Chilean AIS system. For security, the terminal employs a multilayered perimeter fencing network, CCTV monitoring, and access control in compliance with the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**. ## Economic Importance Port Tocopilla is a linchpin of Chile’s export economy, handling over **35 million tonnes** of cargo annually – roughly 12 % of the nation’s total maritime throughput. The majority of this volume comprises **copper concentrate**, **iron ore**, and **lithium‑bearing brines** extracted from the Antofagasta mining district, making the port a critical node in the global supply chain for high‑tech and renewable‑energy industries. The portal’s **export value** consistently exceeds US$ 15 billion, contributing significantly to national foreign‑exchange earnings. In addition, Tocopilla supports a regional employment ecosystem of approximately **4,500** direct and indirect jobs, ranging from dockworkers and logistics coordinators to marine engineers and customs analysts. The port’s expansion projects have attracted ancillary investments in **railway upgrades** (the Ferrocarril de Antofagasta) and **road infrastructure** (Chile’s Route 5), amplifying its multiplier effect on the broader Atacama economy. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo **Primary cargoes:** - **Copper concentrate** (≈ 28 Mt/yr) – sourced mainly from Chuquicamata, Los Pelambres, and Escondida. - **Iron ore** (≈ 5 Mt/yr) – from the El Salado and El Alamo mines. - **Lithium brine** (≈ 0.8 Mt/yr) – emerging export stream linked to the Salar de Atacama projects. **Key outbound routes:** 1. **Asia-Pacific corridor** – Direct voyages to **Shanghai**, **Yokohama**, and **Busan** dominate the copper trade, with round‑trip transit times of 30–35 days for capesize vessels. 2. **North‑American lane** – Iron ore shipments frequently transship via the Panama Canal to the **U.S. Gulf Coast** (e.g., Houston, New Orleans). 3. **European gateway** – Smaller bulk carriers (handysize) call at **Rotterdam** and **Antwerp** for mixed mineral cargoes, leveraging the Suez Canal's capacity constraints during peak seasons. Seasonal wind patterns, notably the **Cerro Toco** coastal jet, influence sailing schedules; operators routinely plan departures to avoid the strong northerly winds that can increase fuel consumption on southbound voyages. Recent **maritime traffic analytics** (see MarineTraffic’s port activity dashboard) indicate a gradual shift toward **slow‑steaming** practices, aligning with the global push for lower carbon intensity in bulk shipping. *For further technical specifications and real‑time vessel movements, consult the Chilean Port Authority’s online portal* (Dirección General del Puerto de Tocopilla↗) *and the global maritime database* (MarineTraffic – Tocopilla Port↗). --- **Keywords for SEO:** Port Tocopilla, CLTOQ, Chilean port, Antofagasta region maritime hub, copper export terminal, deep‑water berth Chile, bulk cargo Chile, Pacific trade routes, capesize loading facilities, maritime logistics Chile.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CLTOQ

Country

Chile

Province / Region

Antofagasta

Latitude

-22.080000

Longitude

-70.180000

Timezone

America/Santiago

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tocopilla?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tocopilla is CLTOQ.

Where is Port of Tocopilla located?

The Port of Tocopilla is located in Chile, Antofagasta. Its coordinates are -22.0800°N, -70.1800°E.

What time zone is Port of Tocopilla in?

Port of Tocopilla 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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