UN/LOCODE: CRMOB📍 Costa Rica
Port of Moin (UN/LOCODE CRMOB)
❖ Coordinates: 10.0000°N, -83.0800°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Costa_Rica
❖ UN/LOCODE: CRMOB
## About the Port
Moin is a deep‑water, all‑weather port situated on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in the Limón province. Its UN/LOCODE, **CRMOB**, uniquely identifies it in global shipping databases. Geographically, Moin sits at **10° N latitude, 83.08° W longitude**, placing it within the energetic maritime corridor of the Greater Antilles. The port operates on the **America/Costa_Rica** timezone, which aligns with Central Standard Time (UTC‑6) and facilitates real‑time coordination with North‑American and Caribbean logistics networks.
Moin’s strategic location on the eastern seaboard provides direct access to the Pacific entrance of the **Panama Canal** via the Caribbean Sea, allowing vessels to bypass the Panama Canal’s Atlantic side and reduce trans‑Atlantic transit distances for certain trade lanes. This advantage is reinforced by the port’s proximity—approximately 30 km—from the bustling tourism hub of Puerto Viejo and the historic Banana Belt infrastructure, integrating both commercial and multimodal operations seamlessly.
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## History
The origins of Moin trace back to the early 20th century when Costa Rican authorities identified the Limón coastline as a potential outlet for agricultural exports. Initially developed as a modest banana‑export terminal in the 1900s, the facility expanded during the 1970s to accommodate an increasing volume of containerized cargo and bulk shipments.
During the 1990s, a series of modernization projects introduced container handling equipment and upgraded the quay wall to support larger neo‑Panamax vessels. By the early 2000s, Moin had transitioned from a primarily agricultural hub to a multifunctional port capable of handling containerized, bulk, and project cargo. Recent investments (2015‑2022) have focused on deepening the navigation channel to 13 m (43 ft) and implementing automated gate systems, thereby enhancing berth efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround time by up to 30 %.
These historical milestones illustrate Moin’s evolution from a niche export terminal to a pivotal node in Central American maritime trade, reflecting Costa Rica’s broader commitment to strengthening its logistics backbone.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Terminal Layout
Moin currently operates **four deep‑water berths**, each capable of accommodating vessels up to 300 m in length and 50 m in beam. Berth 1, dedicated to container traffic, features a **30‑tonne gantry crane** fleet and a 1,200 TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent unit) storage yard. Berth 2 serves bulk commodities—primarily grain, sugar, and fertilizer—while Berth 3 is configured for liquid bulk, including palm oil and molasses. Berth 4 is a multi‑purpose dock supporting roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) and project cargo operations.
### Handling Equipment
- **Container Management:** 4 RTG (Rubber‑Tyred Gantry) cranes, 2 RTG‑stackers, and a fleet of 15 straddle carriers.
- **Bulk Handling:** 2 stacker‑reclaimers (capacity 2,500 t h⁻¹) and conveyor systems extending 800 m to inland storage silos.
- **RoRo:** Two dedicated ramps equipped with hydraulic lifts for rapid vehicle loading/unloading.
### Support Facilities
The port houses a 6,000 m³ **fuel depot**, a dedicated **dangerous goods warehouse** (Class III), and an on‑site **container yard** covering 25 ha. A modern **administrative building** streamlines customs clearance, while a **pilotage and towage center** coordinates vessel arrivals and departures. Environmental safeguards include a storm‑water treatment plant and a 150‑meter oil‑spill containment boom stationed offshore.
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## Economic Importance
Moin contributes roughly **12 % of Costa Rica’s total maritime cargo volume**, positioning it as the country's second‑largest port after S J Port (Juan Santamaría). In 2023, the port handled an estimated **3.5 million metric tonnes** of cargo, with container movements accounting for **1.8 million TEU**. This throughput supports a broad spectrum of sectors:
- **Agricultural Exports:** Over 60 % of Costa Rica’s banana, coffee, and palm‑oil exports transit via Moin.
- **Industrial Imports:** The port serves as the primary gateway for steel, machinery, and electronic components destined for Costa Rican manufacturing zones, especially in the Limón and Alajuela regions.
- **Tourism Logistics:** Charter vessels and cruise ships routinely use Moin as a staging point for Caribbean itineraries, injecting an estimated **US $150 million** annually into the regional economy.
Beyond direct cargo handling, Moin stimulates ancillary industries such as ship‑repair, logistics services, and port‑side warehousing, generating roughly **4,500 jobs** (both direct and indirect) within the Limón province.
Linking its economic impact to regional trade, the port also interfaces with the **CAFTA‑DR (Central America Free Trade Agreement – Dominican Republic)** framework, offering preferential tariffs that enhance its competitiveness for multinational shippers.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Moin’s **primary trade arteries** extend northward to the United States Gulf and Atlantic coasts, southward to Panama and Colombia, and eastward toward Caribbean islands and the broader Latin American market. Key route statistics include:
- **North America:** 45 % of TEU movements involve U.S. ports such as Houston, New Orleans, and Savannah, facilitated by feeder services that connect Moin to larger trans‑shipment hubs.
- **Central America & the Caribbean:** 30 % of cargo flows to ports in Panama (Balboa), Nicaragua (Corinto), and Jamaica (Kingston), supporting regional supply chains for agribulk and consumer goods.
- **South America:** 15 % of cargo is destined for Colombian and Peruvian ports, often involving multi‑modal rail connections to the interior.
### Dominant Commodity Segments
| Commodity Category | Approx. Share of Throughput | Typical Vessel Size | Notable Export Destinations |
|--------------------|----------------------------|----------------------|------------------------------|
| **Bananas & Tropical Fruit** | 30 % | 5,000–10,000 gt | EU (Netherlands, Spain), US (Midwest) |
| **Coffee Beans** | 8 % | 2,000–4,000 gt | Japan, Germany, USA |
| **Bulk Minerals (e.g., Bauxite, Salt)** | 22 % | 30,000–70,000 gt (bulk carriers) | China, India, EU |
| **Containerized Goods** | 30 % | 1,000–3,000 TEU | Global – mixed shipments |
| **Liquid Bulk (Palm Oil, Molasses)** | 7 % | 5,000–12,000 gt | EU, US Gulf Coast |
These flows underscore Moin’s versatility as a **multi‑modal hub** capable of supporting both time‑sensitive container traffic and bulk commodity transport. The port’s integration with **rail and highway networks**—including the Atlantic Railway linking Limón to Costa Rica’s central valleys—further enhances its role as a conduit for inland distribution.
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*For further statistical insight, consult the United Nations Comtrade Database (external link) and the Costa Rican Ministry of Transportation’s maritime reports (external link).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CRMOB
Country
Costa Rica
Province / Region
Limón
Latitude
10.000000
Longitude
-83.080000
Timezone
America/Costa_Rica
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Moin?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Moin is CRMOB.
Where is Port of Moin located?
The Port of Moin is located in Costa Rica, Limón. Its coordinates are 10.0000°N, -83.0800°E.
What time zone is Port of Moin in?
Port of Moin operates in the America/Costa_Rica 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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