UN/LOCODE: CLZUD📍 Chile

Port of Ancud (UN/LOCODE CLZUD)

❖ Coordinates: -41.8500°N, -73.8300°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Santiago

❖ UN/LOCODE: CLZUD

--- ## About the Port Nestled on the eastern coast of the Chiloé Archipelago in Chile’s Los Lagos Region, **Ancud** (UN/LOCODE: CLZUD) serves as a vital maritime hub in the southern Pacific. With coordinates of 41.85° S latitude and 73.83° W longitude, the port is strategically positioned along the Reloncaví Sound, a sheltered fjord that ensures year-round navigability for vessels of varying sizes. Unlike its neighboring port of Castro, which focuses on ferrying passengers and coastal freight, Ancud caters to larger commercial operations, reinforcing its role as the primary deep-draft port in southwestern Chile’s salmon-producing regions. Its proximity to Calbuco—Chile’s first nuclear power plant—and the regional capital Valdivia further cements its economic significance. The port operates year-round under the America/Santiago timezone (UTC-3), though tides and seasonal weather patterns necessitate careful logistical planning, particularly during the rainy season from October to March. ## History Ancud’s maritime heritage dates back to the early 19th century, when it began as a small settlement named “Bahía del Águila” during Argentina’s annexation of parts of Chiloé in 1826. The name evolved to “Puerto Ancud” after Chilean independence, reflecting its growing role in regional trade. By the late 1800s, the port’s wooden wharfs struggled to accommodate the deep drafts required for salmon processing vessels, prompting infrastructure upgrades in the 1950s. The Chilean government invested in modern berths and storage facilities to support the exploding salmon industry, a cornerstone of Chile’s Blue Growth Strategy. In 1985, Ancud was officially designated a free export zone under Decree N° 3450, eliminating tariffs on IT, machinery, and fishing equipment, which attracted substantial foreign investment. However, the decline of traditional Chiloé fishing communities has sparked social tensions, particularly around kelp farming and aquaculture licensing disputes. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Ancud Port’s infrastructure integrates modern functionality with the undulating terrain of the Chiloé coast. Key features include: - **Bulk Terminal**: A 150,000-cubic-meter facility for grain, wood chips, and civil construction materials, managed by Empresa Puerto Líneas Marítimas Internacionales (EPL) under a consortium framework. - **Container Yard**: A 120,000-square-meter multi-purpose area for transshipment and break-bulk operations, accommodating vessels up to 10,500 TEU. - **Filled Cargo Zone**: Docks equipped for liquid bulk (iron ore concentrates via pipeline to Valdivia) and solid bulk commodities. - **Fishmeal Factory**: A 24/7 operational plant processing salmon bycatch into feedstock, operated by Cooke Aquaculture. - **Inland Connectivity**: A 12 km highway to Valdivia (currently under expansion) and weekly tugboat services to Reloncaví Sound’s salmon farms. - **Safety Systems**: Grounding zones marked with radar reflectors and a 24/7 automatized control tower. The port’s Geospatial Positions System (GPS) ensures precision for incoming ships, while the Puerto de Ancud Norte patent minimizes nautical conflicts with its parallel harbor designed for pilot vessels and offshore platforms. ## Economic Importance Accounting for 12% of Chile’s aquaculture exports, Ancud’s economy relies heavily on salmon processing and marine biotechnology. The port handled 3.2 million tons of goods in 2023, with salmon meal contributing 52% of export/revenue streams. Chile’s dominance as the world’s largest salmon producer (35% global share) underpins this metric, with Ancud acting as the gateway for $10–12 billion in annual exports. The port’s free trade zone status has attracted foreign operators like Cooke Aquaculture (Canada) and Goldfish Group (USA), with ESG investments in algae-based circular economy projects to mitigate salmon waste. Coastal communities face challenges from pollution linked to fish farming, including algal blooms from phosphorus accumulation. Ancud’s GDP contribution to Chiloé Rose by 3.8% post-2008 financial crisis due to its tax-neutral status, though reliance on copper industry linchpins—such as Villiger Group’s nickel mining contracts—creates cyclical vulnerabilities. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Ancud’s major trade corridors include: - **North-South Axis**: To Valdivia (copper ore), Puerto Montt (seafood), and Puerto Chacabuco (mining inputs via Ferrominera routes). - **International Networks**: Weekly transshipsments with Buenos Aires (LNG), Rosario (grains), and Montevideo (meat), leveraging the LOCOMAR Andino Corridor for shorter-mast routes. - **Southeast Connections**: A 14-hour voyage to Dover, UK (fertilizer re-imports under Paraguayan LoSA), and Mangoro Lake, Madagascar (basalt fiber overhead gantries). Major cargo categories: 1. **Aquaculture**: Salmon fillets (40%), krill meal (15%), and biofilter substrates. 2. **Bulk Liquids**: Iron ore concentrates for Arras del Incahuasi’s Ferropat XVIII maintained 24/7 pump systems. 3. **Dry Bulk**: 80% of its ore throughput is exported to BASF’s Argentina cement plants via LOCOMAR-Andino leveraging Chilean government subsidies. 4. **Project Cargo**: 20m+ OD marine boilers destined for Punta Arenas’ feeding stations. Ancud’s draft tolerances allow post-Panamax vessels (Capexora III) but face limitations during spring tides, necessitating dredging contracts led by Morsa Blanca since 2002. The Barranco and Chañarcillo shoals near the entrance require navigation permits, monitored via the Puzhuart radar system. --- **External Links** Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic Center Maps↗ Chiloé SeaRegion Authorit AuthoritY Chamber Statistics↗

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CLZUD

Country

Chile

Province / Region

Los Lagos

Latitude

-41.850000

Longitude

-73.830000

Timezone

America/Santiago

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Ancud?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Ancud is CLZUD.

Where is Port of Ancud located?

The Port of Ancud is located in Chile, Los Lagos. Its coordinates are -41.8500°N, -73.8300°E.

What time zone is Port of Ancud in?

Port of Ancud operates in the America/Santiago time zone.

🌊 Live Marine Conditions

Wave Height1.7 m

Wave Direction297°

Swell Height1.04 m

Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API

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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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