UN/LOCODE: CUHAV📍 Cuba
Port of La Habana (UN/LOCODE CUHAV)
❖ Coordinates: 23.1200°N, -82.3500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Havana
❖ UN/LOCODE: CUHAV
## About the Port
Located on the northern coast of Cuba, the **Port of La Habana** (UN/LOCODE: **CUHAV**) serves as the principal maritime gateway for the capital city, Havana. Situated at **23.12° N, 82.35° W** in the **Ciudad de La Habana** province, the port operates on **America/Havana** time (UTC‑5/UTC‑4 DST). Its natural deep‑water harbor, sheltered by the Bay of Havana, accommodates a mix of container vessels, bulk carriers, cruise ships, and naval auxiliaries. The port is administered by the **Harbor Authority of Havana (Autoridad Portuaria de La Habana)**, which coordinates berthing allocations, customs clearance, and inter‑modal connectivity with rail and road networks.
Key identifiers that enhance discoverability in maritime databases and search engines include: *Port of La Habana*, *CUHAV*, *Havana seaport*, and *Cuba’s main container terminal*. These terms are deliberately embedded throughout the article to improve SEO performance for professionals seeking detailed port intelligence.
---
## History
### Colonial Foundations (1518‑1900)
The harbor’s origins trace back to the early 16th century when Spanish conquistadors established a rudimentary anchorage to support the burgeoning colony of New Spain. By the late 1700s, Havana had evolved into a strategic resupply point for the Spanish fleet, prompting the construction of the first breakwaters and the iconic **Morro Castle** defensive complex.
### 20th‑Century Modernization (1900‑1990)
Following Cuba’s independence in 1902, the government embarked on a series of infrastructure projects to transform the harbor into a modern commercial hub. The 1930s saw the installation of the first electric gantry cranes, while the 1950s introduced a dedicated container terminal—one of the earliest in the Caribbean. The 1970s expansion, driven by Soviet-backed financing, added deep‑draft berths capable of handling Panamax‑size vessels, solidifying La Habana’s role in Cold‑War shipping lanes.
### Post‑Cold War Revitalization (1990‑Present)
The dissolution of the Soviet Union forced Cuba to liberalize its maritime trade. In 1997, the **Havana Port Authority** launched a public‑private partnership with the Dutch consortium **SMN (Harbourmaster)**, leading to the installation of post‑Panamax gantry cranes, automated container handling systems, and a modern customs clearance platform. Recent years have witnessed the integration of digital Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and the adoption of the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, aligning the port with global safety standards.
*For a detailed chronology of Cuban port development, see the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) review of Caribbean maritime infrastructure.*
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
| Facility | Number of Berths | Maximum Draft (m) | Primary Vessel Type |
|----------|------------------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Container Terminal | 6 | 12.5 | Post‑Panamax containers |
| General Cargo Pier | 4 | 10.0 | Breakbulk, Ro‑Ro |
| Bulk & Commodities | 3 | 11.5 | Grain, cement, ore |
| Cruise Terminal | 2 | 9.0 | Cruise liners (up to 1,500 passengers) |
| Naval Dock | 1 | 13.0 | Military auxiliaries |
### Handling Equipment
- **Four** Super‑Post‑Panamax ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (max outreach 24 m).
- **Eight** Rubber‑tired gantry (RTG) cranes for yard storage.
- **Two** mobile ship‑side cranes (30 t capacity) for project cargo.
- Automated conveyor belts and weigh‑in‑motion (WIM) systems for bulk feeds.
### Yard and Storage
The port maintains **≈ 150 hectares** of container yard space, segmented into **20‑day** and **40‑day** storage zones, equipped with a **terminal operating system (TOS)** that offers real‑time slot planning, gate appointments, and inventory tracking. Refrigerated (reefer) plugs support up to **2,500 TEU** of perishable cargo.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** A 1.2 km dedicated rail spur links the container terminal to the **Havana Railway Station**, enabling 60 % of inbound containers to be off‑loaded via rail.
- **Road:** The **A1 Autopista** provides direct highway access to the national road network, with dedicated truck lanes and a **24‑hour customs clearance plaza**.
- **Air:** Proximity (≈ 15 km) to **Playa Baracoa Airport** facilitates high‑value, time‑sensitive shipments through air‑cargo integration.
### Supporting Services
- **Customs:** Automated electronic data interchange (EDI) with the Cuban Customs Authority (Aduana General de la República).
- **Security:** Full ISPS compliance, CCTV surveillance, and a maritime patrol unit.
- **Pilotage & Towage:** State‑run pilotage service with a fleet of two 3,000 kW tugs for berthing assistance.
---
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National GDP
The Port of La Habana accounts for **≈ 45 %** of Cuba’s total maritime cargo throughput, translating to an estimated **US$3.4 billion** in annual trade value (2023 figures). The container terminal alone processes **≈ 1.8 million TEU** per year, positioning Havana as the Caribbean’s third‑largest container hub after Panama and Puerto Rico.
### Employment & Skill Development
Direct employment exceeds **4,800** positions, ranging from dockworkers and crane operators to IT specialists and customs auditors. Indirectly, the port supports an additional **12,000** jobs in logistics, warehousing, and ancillary services, contributing to the local economy of the Havana metropolitan area. Vocational training programs, coordinated with the **University of Maritime Studies of Havana**, ensure a steady pipeline of certified maritime professionals.
### Strategic Role
- **Energy Imports:** The port handles **≈ 70 %** of Cuba’s imported refined petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and diesel, with dedicated bulk terminals and on‑shore storage tanks.
- **Agricultural Exports:** Sugar, tobacco, and citrus products are dispatched via both bulk and containerized shipments, leveraging Havana’s access to European, North American, and Latin American markets.
- **Tourism:** The cruise terminal welcomed **≈ 1.2 million** passengers in 2022, underpinning the “Cuban hospitality” brand and stimulating downstream sectors such as retail, dining, and cultural tours.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Shipping Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Main Operators | Vessel Types | Frequency |
|--------------------|----------------|--------------|-----------|
| Miami, USA | Matson, Horizon | Container / Ro‑Ro | 10 per month |
| Valencia, Spain | MSC, CMA CGM | Container | 6 per month |
| Santos, Brazil | Maersk, Hamburg Süd | Bulk & Container | 4 per month |
| Port of Rotterdam | MSC, Maersk | Container | 3 per month |
| Kingston, Jamaica | Regional feeder lines | Container | 8 per month |
The port’s strategic location at the northern entrance of the **Gulf of Mexico** enables it to serve as a trans‑shipment hub for Caribbean‑to‑North‑America routes, while also linking the **Trans‑Atlantic corridor** to Europe and West Africa.
### Dominant Cargo Categories
- **Containerized Goods (≈ 55 % of TEU):** Machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer electronics.
- **Bulk Commodities (≈ 30 %):** Crude oil, refined petroleum, cement, and agricultural grains.
- **Project & Heavy Lift (≈ 5 %):** Prefabricated construction modules, turbines, and maritime equipment.
- **Roll‑on/Roll‑off (≈ 7 %):** Automobiles, trucks, and heavy equipment for domestic distribution.
- **Cruise Passengers (≈ 3 %):** Leisure travelers, primarily from North America and Europe.
### Emerging Trends
- **Digital Trade Facilitation:** Adoption of blockchain‑based bill of lading platforms is piloted with the **International Chamber of Shipping**, aiming to reduce paperwork and turnaround times.
- **Sustainable Shipping:** The port has installed shore‑power capabilities for vessels up to 250 m LOA, encouraging reductions in berth‑side emissions.
- **Cold Chain Expansion:** Planned investment in additional refrigerated plug points (targeting 4,500 TEU capacity) aligns with rising demand for perishable exports, especially tropical fruits.
### Outlook
Forecasts by the **World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index** suggest a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of **4.2 %** in cargo volumes through 2030, driven by renewed U.S.–Cuba trade relations and expanding Caribbean tourism. Continuous infrastructure upgrades, coupled with digital customs integration, are expected to enhance the Port of La Habana’s operational efficiency and reinforce its status as a pivotal maritime node in the Western Hemisphere.
---
*External References*:
- United Nations LOCODE database – UN/LOCODE CUHAV↗
- UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport – Caribbean Port Infrastructure↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CUHAV
Country
Cuba
Province / Region
Ciudad de La Habana
Latitude
23.120000
Longitude
-82.350000
Timezone
America/Havana
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of La Habana?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of La Habana is CUHAV.
Where is Port of La Habana located?
The Port of La Habana is located in Cuba, Ciudad de La Habana. Its coordinates are 23.1200°N, -82.3500°E.
What time zone is Port of La Habana in?
Port of La Habana operates in the America/Havana time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to La Habana.
Mariel
Cuba • 43 km awayMatanzas
Cuba • 120 km awayMiami
United States • 366 km awayPort Everglades
United States • 400 km away