UN/LOCODE: CUQMA📍 Cuba
Port of Matanzas (UN/LOCODE CUQMA)
❖ Coordinates: 22.5767°N, -81.3399°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Havana
❖ UN/LOCODE: CUQMA
## About the Port
Matanzas (UN/LOCODE: CUQMA) is a medium‑sized seaport situated on the northern coast of Cuba, approximately 100 km east of Havana. The port lies within the city of Matanzas, the capital of Matanzas Province, at geographic coordinates 22°34′36″ N, 81°20′24″ W. Its sheltered natural harbour, formed by a combination of a semi‑enclosed bay and a protective breakwater, provides year‑round access for vessels drawing up to 10 m draft. The port operates under the authority of the Cuban Ministry of Transport (Ministerio de Transporte) and is administered by the Empresa Portuaria de Matanzas, which oversees cargo handling, pilotage, tug assistance, and customs services.
The local timezone is America/Havana (UTC‑5, with daylight‑saving observed as UTC‑4 during the summer months). Matanzas serves as a gateway for both domestic distribution and limited international trade, handling general cargo, bulk commodities, and containerized goods. Its strategic position along the Windward Passage makes it a convenient stop‑over for vessels transiting between the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.
## History
The origins of Matanzas as a maritime hub date back to the early 16th century when Spanish colonists established a settlement near the bay to support sugar plantation logistics. By the late 1700s, the port had become a pivotal outlet for the export of raw sugar, molasses, and tobacco from the surrounding Valle de Yumurí region. The construction of the first stone wharf in 1825 marked the transition from a rudimentary landing beach to a formal port facility, enabling larger sailing vessels to berth safely.
During the 19th century, Matanzas experienced rapid growth fueled by the booming sugar economy. The arrival of the Havana‑Matanzas railway in 1861 further integrated the port with inland production centers, allowing bulk cargo to be transferred efficiently from plantations to ships. In the early 20th century, the port underwent modernization under the Cuban Republic, including the installation of steam-powered cranes and the expansion of storage warehouses.
The Cuban Revolution of 1959 brought significant changes: the port was nationalized, and its operations were aligned with the centrally planned economy. Investment in the 1970s and 1980s focused on upgrading bulk handling equipment to accommodate increased shipments of Soviet‑origin goods, such as fertilizer and machinery. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Matanzas shifted its cargo profile toward more diversified imports, including foodstuffs, construction materials, and containerized consumer goods.
In recent years, the port has benefited from incremental infrastructure improvements supported by foreign investment and technical cooperation, particularly from European and Latin American partners seeking to enhance Cuba’s maritime connectivity. Historical records and operational data are documented in the UN/LOCODE database and the Cuban Ministry of Transport’s annual port statistics, which provide a reliable baseline for trend analysis.
UN/LOCODE entry for CUQMA↗
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Matanzas port covers an approximate water area of 1.2 km² and a land area of 45 ha dedicated to terminal operations. The main berthing facilities consist of:
* **North Quay (Muelle Norte)** – 350 m length, alongside depth of 9.5 m, equipped with two 30‑tonne gantry cranes and a 50‑tonne mobile harbor crane, primarily handling general cargo and containerized units.
* **South Quay (Muelle Sur)** – 280 m length, alongside depth of 8.0 m, furnished with bulk handling gear including a conveyor system and a 100‑tonne ship loader for agricultural products such as sugar and molasses.
* **East Pier (Muelle Este)** – 180 m length, alongside depth of 7.5 m, used for tugboat mooring, pilot launch, and small‑craft services.
The port’s hinterland is served by a paved road network linking to the Carretera Central (National Highway) and a short‑line railway spur that connects to the Matanzas–Havana rail corridor. Storage capacity includes:
* 120,000 m³ of covered warehouse space for general cargo.
* 85,000 m³ of open bulk storage silos for sugar, cement, and fertilizer.
* A 15,000 m³ refrigerated facility for perishable goods.
Support services comprise pilotage (provided by the Autoridad Marítima Nacional), tug assistance (two 30‑tonne ASD tugs), line handling, and a customs clearance office integrated with the national Aduana system. The port operates a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) radar covering the bay entrance, enhancing safety for vessels navigating the narrow channel marked by buoys and leading lights.
Environmental management includes ballast water treatment facilities compliant with IMO BWM Convention standards and a waste reception plan for MARPOL Annex I–V substances. Ongoing dredging programs maintain the navigable channel at a minimum depth of 9.0 m, accommodating vessels up to Panamax size.
## Economic Importance
Matanzas contributes roughly 3‑4 % of Cuba’s total port throughput, translating to an annual cargo volume of approximately 1.2 million tonnes. While smaller than the mega‑ports of Mariel and Santiago de Cuba, its economic significance lies in its role as a regional distribution hub for the central‑northern provinces, particularly Matanzas, Villa Clara, and Cienfuegos. The port facilitates the import of essential inputs for the domestic sugar industry (e.g., lime, sulfuric acid) and the export of value‑added agricultural products such as refined sugar, rum, and tobacco.
From a fiscal perspective, port operations generate direct employment for about 650 workers, including stevedores, administrative staff, and maintenance crews, with additional indirect jobs in logistics, transport, and ancillary services. Revenue streams derive from berth dues, cargo handling fees, storage rentals, and pilotage/tug charges, which are reinvested into port maintenance and incremental upgrades under the national port development plan.
The port’s strategic location also supports humanitarian logistics; during disaster relief operations, Matanzas has served as a staging point for the receipt of international aid supplies destined for the interior provinces. Moreover, its proximity to key tourist destinations such as Varadero (approximately 30 km east) enables the efficient delivery of provisions and construction materials for the hospitality sector, indirectly bolstering Cuba’s tourism economy.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Matanzas sits on a secondary maritime lane that connects the Gulf of Mexico with the Caribbean Sea via the Windward Passage. Principal trade routes include:
* **North‑South Atlantic corridor** – vessels from the U.S. Gulf Coast (e.g., New Orleans, Houston) and the Caribbean (e.g., Panama, Cartagena) call at Matanzas en route to Havana or Santiago de Cuba.
* **East‑West Caribbean feeder** – regional feeder services link Matanzas with other Cuban ports (Cienfuegos, Mariel) and neighboring islands such as Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, facilitating cabotage and intra‑regional trade.
* **Europe‑Caribbean link** – occasional multipurpose vessels from European ports (e.g., Antwerp, Rotterdam) discharge containerized goods and project cargo at Matanzas before proceeding to other Caribbean destinations.
The cargo profile is dominated by:
1. **Bulk agricultural products** – raw sugar (≈ 400,000 t/yr), molasses, and coffee beans exported primarily to Europe and Canada.
2. **General cargo** – palletized goods, machinery, and construction materials imported for domestic industrial projects.
3. **Containerized freight** – approximately 35,000 TEU annually, consisting mainly of consumer goods, foodstuffs, and spare parts sourced from Asia and Latin America.
4. **Liquid bulk** – limited volumes of petroleum derivatives and chemicals handled via dedicated pipelines to nearby storage tanks.
5. **Project and oversized cargo** – occasional wind turbine components and heavy equipment for infrastructure projects, accommodated by the port’s heavy‑lift cranes.
Seasonal variations are evident, with sugar export peaks aligning with the harvest period (December–May) and import volumes rising during the hurricane season (June–November) as pre‑positioned relief supplies are staged.
Overall, Matanzas port functions as a vital node in Cuba’s maritime logistics network, balancing historic commodity flows with evolving trade patterns driven by modernization initiatives and regional integration efforts.
World Port Source – Matanzas Port Profile↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CUQMA
Country
Cuba
Province / Region
Matanzas
Latitude
22.576712
Longitude
-81.339941
Timezone
America/Havana
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Matanzas?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Matanzas is CUQMA.
Where is Port of Matanzas located?
The Port of Matanzas is located in Cuba, Matanzas. Its coordinates are 22.5767°N, -81.3399°E.
What time zone is Port of Matanzas in?
Port of Matanzas operates in the America/Havana 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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