UN/LOCODE: CRPCA📍 Costa Rica
Port of Puerto Caldera (UN/LOCODE CRPCA)
❖ Coordinates: 9.9329°N, -84.0869°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Costa_Rica
❖ UN/LOCODE: CRPCA
## About the Port
Puerto Caldera (UN/LOCODE **CRPCA**) is a strategically positioned deep‑water port on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, administratively part of the San José province. Situated at **9.9328525 °N, ‑84.0869419 °W** and operating under the **America/Costa_Rica** time zone, the port lies within the **Gulf of Caldera**, a natural inlet that offers sheltered anchorage and easy access to the Central American trade corridor.
Puerto Caldera functions as a multimodal gateway, linking maritime traffic with Costa Rica’s inland road and rail networks. Its geographic position—approximately 150 km south of the Panama Canal and 260 km north of the Costa Rican capital, San José—makes it a pivotal node for trans‑Pacific cargo destined for Central America, the Caribbean, and the wider North‑South American corridor.
Key identifiers:
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **Port name** | Puerto Caldera |
| **UN/LOCODE** | CRPCA |
| **Country** | Costa Rica |
| **Region** | San José |
| **Latitude / Longitude** | 9.9328525 N / ‑84.0869419 W |
| **Timezone** | America/Costa_Rica |
| **Port type** | Container, General cargo, Bulk, Ro‑Ro, Cruise |
The port is managed by the **Autoridad Portuaria Nacional (APN)**, the national agency that oversees all Costa Rican maritime facilities, ensuring compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and facilitating customs clearance through a single‑window system.
## History
The origins of Puerto Caldera trace back to the late 19th century, when the Caldera River basin served as a modest export point for coffee and timber destined for European markets. In 1912, a narrow‑gauge railway line was completed, connecting the town of Caldera to San José, stimulating the first wave of commercial shipping activity.
During the 1970s, the Costa Rican government embarked on a systematic modernization program to shift national trade from the Atlantic to the Pacific side, capitalizing on the growing significance of the Panama Canal. The port was officially inaugurated in **1978** as a deep‑water facility capable of handling Panamax vessels. Subsequent upgrades in the 1990s introduced container handling equipment, while the early 2000s saw the construction of a dedicated Ro‑Ro terminal to accommodate automotive imports and exports.
The most recent expansion, completed in 2019, increased the water‑depth at the main berth to **15 m (49 ft) at chart datum**, allowing the port to accommodate post‑Panamax and some New Panamax vessels. This development was funded through a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, reflecting Costa Rica’s broader strategy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in its logistics sector.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification |
|----------|----------------|
| **Berths** | 5 berths (2 container, 1 bulk, 1 Ro‑Ro, 1 general cargo) |
| **Water depth** | 15 m at main container berth; 13 m on bulk berth |
| **Quay length** | 1,200 m total (≈240 m per berth) |
| **Container yard** | 25 ha, capacity ≈ 850,000 TEU (annual peak) |
| **Cranes** | 4 Super‑post‑Panamax gantry cranes (45 m outreach) |
| **Cargo handling equipment** | 8 reach stackers, 12 forklift trucks, 5 mobile harbour cranes |
| **Storage** | Covered 10 ha for perishable goods; open yards for bulk & project cargo |
| **Ro‑Ro terminal** | 2 ramps (one stern, one side), capacity ≈ 150,000 vehicles/year |
| **Customs & security** | Integrated APN customs office, ISO‑9001 certified security zone, ISO‑TC 188 compliant ICT systems |
| **Support services** | Ship chandlery, bunkering (diesel, marine gasoil), freshwater supply, waste reception facilities |
| **Connectivity** | Direct highway (Route 27) to San José; 20 km of rail siding linked to the national network; fiber‑optic maritime communications (VHF, AIS, GMDSS) |
The container terminal employs an advanced Terminal Operating System (TOS) that integrates vessel planning, yard management, and gate operations, enabling a **turn‑around time of 1.4 days per vessel** in peak season. Environmental management follows the **ISO 14001** framework, with on‑site storm‑water treatment and an **emissions reduction program** that encourages low‑sulphur fuel use and shore‑power availability for berthed ships.
## Economic Importance
Puerto Caldera is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s export‑oriented economy, contributing an estimated **US$ 3.2 billion** to the nation’s GDP in 2023, equivalent to roughly **7 % of total national trade value**. The port’s operational efficiency supports key sectors such as:
* **Agribusiness** – Primary exporter of fresh fruits (pineapples, bananas, melons) and processed goods (coffee, cocoa).
* **Automotive** – Hub for the import of passenger vehicles, spare parts, and the export of components manufactured in free‑trade zones (FTZs).
* **Tourism & Cruise** – Serves as a disembarkation point for cruise liners, funneling tourists into the central Pacific region.
* **Heavy industry** – Handles bulk imports of construction materials (cement, steel) and project cargo for the growing renewable‑energy sector.
The port’s strategic location also makes it a **transshipment hub** for neighboring Central American countries lacking deep‑water facilities, such as Nicaragua and Honduras. In 2022, transshipment volume accounted for **15 % of total cargo throughput**, underpinning Puerto Caldera’s role in regional logistics integration.
Employment figures underscore its socioeconomic impact: the port directly employs **≈ 2,800** staff, with an indirect multiplier effect creating over **12,000** jobs in logistics, customs brokerage, transportation, and ancillary services.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Pacific‑to‑Atlantic Corridor
Puerto Caldera participates actively in the **Panama Canal trans‑Pacific trade lane**, linking Asian manufacturers (China, South Korea, Japan) with North‑American and European markets. Typical vessel schedules involve **30‑day round trips**: loading containers in Asian ports (e.g., Shanghai, Kaohsiung), transiting the Panama Canal, and discharging on the Pacific side at Caldera before onward distribution via Costa Rican rail or road to Central America’s hinterland.
### Intra‑Regional Routes
* **San José – Central Valley** – Daily rail and truck services transport perishable cargo from the port’s refrigerated facilities to inland processing plants and distribution centers.
* **Costa Rican Free‑Trade Zones** – The port services FTZs in Heredia and Cartago, handling high‑value electronics, medical devices, and textiles destined for the U.S. market under the **CAFTA‑DR** agreement.
### Major Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Origin / Destination |
|----------------|-----------------------|------------------------------|
| **Containerized goods** | 1.2 million TEU | Imports: Asia (electronics, vehicles); Exports: North America (agri‑produce, FTZ goods) |
| **Bulk agricultural** | 7 Mt (dry) | Exports: Pineapple, banana, coffee (origin: Central Valley) |
| **Bulk minerals & construction** | 4 Mt (wet) | Imports: Cement, steel, fuel (origin: Middle East, North America) |
| **Ro‑Ro vehicles** | 140,000 units | Imports: Passenger cars (Japan, Europe); Exports: Assembly kits (North America) |
| **Cruise passengers** | 180,000 pax | Arrivals: Major cruise lines (Norwegian, Princess) – 12‑day Pacific itineraries |
The port’s **multimodal capability** enables seamless cargo flow between sea, rail, and road, minimizing dwell time and supporting just‑in‑time (JIT) supply chains. For example, a **Pan‑Asia container ship** docking at Puerto Caldera can have its cargo cleared and dispatched to San José within **48 hours**, a benchmark that rivals leading ports in the region.
### Outlook
Future demand is projected to rise with the **expansion of the Panama Canal (2022)**, which will increase the volume of New Panamax vessels calling at Pacific ports. Puerto Caldera’s recent dredging and crane upgrades position it to capture a larger share of the anticipated **15 % growth in Pacific‑to‑Atlantic container traffic** over the next decade.
**References**
* UN/LOCODE Database – *Country code CR* (https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/).
* Autoridad Portuaria Nacional – Official portal (https://www.apn.go.cr/).
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CRPCA
Country
Costa Rica
Province / Region
San Jose
Latitude
9.932852
Longitude
-84.086942
Timezone
America/Costa_Rica
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Caldera?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Caldera is CRPCA.
Where is Port of Puerto Caldera located?
The Port of Puerto Caldera is located in Costa Rica, San Jose. Its coordinates are 9.9329°N, -84.0869°E.
What time zone is Port of Puerto Caldera in?
Port of Puerto Caldera 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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