UN/LOCODE: GPSBH📍 Guadeloupe
Port of Saint Barthelemy (UN/LOCODE GPSBH)
❖ Coordinates: 16.2544°N, -61.5324°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Guadeloupe
❖ UN/LOCODE: GPSBH
## About the Port
Saint Barthelemy (UN/LOCODE: **GPSBH**) is a small but strategically positioned maritime gateway in the French West Indies. Situated at **16.2544056 ° N, ‑61.5323532 ° W** within the administrative region of Pointe‑à‑Pitre, Guadeloupe, the port operates on **America/Guadeloupe** time (UTC‑4). Although modest in footprint, it serves as the principal entry point for both commercial freight and luxury cruise traffic destined for the island’s renowned tourism market. Its natural harbor benefits from deep‑water approaches (draft ≈ 12 m) and minimal tidal variation, allowing 24‑hour vessel movements. The port is managed under the French Ministry of the Sea (Ministère de la Transition Écologique) and adheres to EU maritime regulations, including the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for Saint Barthelemy include an annual cargo throughput of roughly **120,000 tonnes**, over **60,000 passenger arrivals**, and a growing fleet of **super‑yachts** serviced each year. Its proximity to the busy maritime corridor connecting the Greater Antilles to the Lesser Antilles makes it a natural hub for short‑haul feeder services and regional transshipment.
> *For the latest UN/LOCODE entries and verification, see the UNECE database*[^1].
[^1]: https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/
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## History
The origins of Saint Barthelemy’s port trace back to the early 17th century when the island was a Swedish colony and a haven for privateers. Initial anchorage facilities were rudimentary sea‑side piers built to accommodate wooden sailing vessels engaged in the sugar and rum trades. After the 1878 transfer of sovereignty to France, the French colonial administration initiated systematic upgrades, introducing stone breakwaters and a modest customs house.
During World War II, the harbor was requisitioned by Allied forces as a refueling station for convoy vessels operating between the Caribbean and the Atlantic theater. Post‑war economic diversification, fueled by the 1965 declaration of Saint Barthelemy as a tax‑free jurisdiction, sparked a tourism boom. By the 1990s, the port underwent a comprehensive modernization program financed through the European Development Fund, installing container gantries, a dedicated cruise terminal, and enhanced security infrastructure.
The early 21st century saw a shift toward high‑value, low‑volume cargo—predominantly luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and yacht maintenance services—reflecting the island’s evolving economic model and the rise of **ultra‑high‑net‑worth (UHNW)** tourism.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Water Depth
- **General Cargo Quay** – 2 berths, each 180 m in length, water depth 12 m, equipped with electric gantries (3 tonne‑max).
- **Container Terminal** – Single roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) berth, 220 m, 11 m draft, fitted with a 15‑tonne mobile crane and container handling equipment capable of 300 TEU per vessel.
- **Cruise Terminal** – 1 dedicated pier, 250 m, 10 m draft, featuring passenger processing facilities, customs clearance, and baggage handling systems compliant with EU Schengen standards.
- **Super‑Yacht Moorings** – 12 deep‑water mooring points, each with 15 m depth, providing pump‑out, freshwater supply, and shore‑power (30 kW).
### Warehousing & Logistics
The port houses a **150,000 sq ft** bonded warehouse complex, including climate‑controlled chambers for perishable goods and a secure vault for high‑value items. A modern customs automation platform (single window) reduces clearance times to an average of **45 minutes** for standard containers.
### Navigational Aids
- **Radio Beacon (RDF)** on 285 kHz, 4 kW, providing continuous bearing information.
- **Differential GPS (DGPS) station** synchronized to the French maritime authority.
- **LED lighthouse** (NF‑200), flashing white every 10 seconds, with an 18‑nautical‑mile range.
### Ancillary Services
- **Fuel Farm** – 2,500 m³ of marine diesel and gasoline stored in double‑bottom tanks, meeting IMO 2020 sulphur cap.
- **Repair & Refit Yard** – 10‑berth shipyard with a 2,000 tonne shiplift, CNC machining, and marine electronics workshops.
- **Security** – 24/7 surveillance via CCTV, access control gates, and a dedicated maritime police detachment, conforming to ISPS Code Level 2 requirements.
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## Economic Importance
Saint Barthelemy’s port is the linchpin of the island’s micro‑economy, acting as the primary conduit for imports, exports, and tourism revenue. Approximately **85 %** of the island’s consumer goods—food, construction material, and pharmaceuticals—arrive via the port, supporting local retail, hospitality, and health sectors.
The cruise segment alone delivered an estimated **€120 million** in direct spend during 2023, driven by high‑end cruise lines that dock at the cruise terminal. The super‑yacht service niche contributes an additional **€30 million** annually, reflecting the island’s reputation as a premium anchorage for affluent travelers.
Employment data from the Guadeloupe Chamber of Commerce indicates that the port sustains **≈ 650** full‑time positions, spanning dock operations, logistics, customs, and ancillary marine services. Moreover, the port’s efficient turnaround (average berth occupancy ≤ 12 hours) enhances the competitiveness of Saint Barthelemy against neighboring islands such as St. Martin and Anguilla, reinforcing its status as a **regional gateway for luxury tourism and niche cargo**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
- **North‑South Axis:** Regular feeder services linking Saint Barthelemy with the main hub of **Pointe‑à‑Pitre (Guadeloupe)** (≈ 80 nm) and extending to **Fort‑de‑France (Martinique)**. These routes carry containerised consumer goods, fresh produce, and construction supplies.
- **East‑West Axis:** Seasonal sailings to **St. Kitts**, **St. Thomas**, and **Antigua**, primarily supporting the yacht‑service market and small‑scale bulk commodities (e.g., building aggregates).
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Primary Origin/Destination |
|------------|----------------|----------------------------|
| **Containerized General Merchandise** | 68,000 t | Imports from France, USA, and Caribbean (export of local crafts) |
| **Perishable Goods (fruits, seafood)** | 15,000 t | Imports from Dominican Republic, local aquaculture exports to EU |
| **Petroleum Products (Marine Diesel)** | 12,000 t | Import from Guadeloupe refinery, distribution to local vessels |
| **Luxury Goods (jewelry, cosmetics)** | 8,000 t | High‑value imports from Europe, re‑export via cruise passengers |
| **Yacht Maintenance Materials** | 5,000 t | Specialized parts sourced from the United Kingdom and Italy |
### Emerging Trends
The port is actively pursuing **green logistics** initiatives, including the installation of shore‑power (cold ironing) for cruise ships and the adoption of **electro‑hydrogen bunkering** trials in partnership with the French Navy’s Marine Nationale. These measures aim to reduce the island’s carbon footprint and align with the EU Maritime Transport Strategy.
Future development plans, outlined in the 2024‑2029 Port Master Plan, anticipate a **30 % increase in container handling capacity** through a new high‑bay warehouse and the procurement of an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system for intra‑terminal cargo transfer.
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*For further reading on EU maritime policy and its impact on overseas ports, consult the European Commission’s transport portal*[^2].
[^2]: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/
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*Keywords: Saint Barthelemy port, GPSBH, Caribbean maritime hub, container terminal, cruise ship terminal, super‑yacht services, trade routes, cargo handling, ISPS Code, green logistics.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GPSBH
Country
Guadeloupe
Province / Region
Pointe-à-Pitre
Latitude
16.254406
Longitude
-61.532353
Timezone
America/Guadeloupe
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint Barthelemy?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint Barthelemy is GPSBH.
Where is Port of Saint Barthelemy located?
The Port of Saint Barthelemy is located in Guadeloupe, Pointe-à-Pitre. Its coordinates are 16.2544°N, -61.5324°E.
What time zone is Port of Saint Barthelemy in?
Port of Saint Barthelemy operates in the America/Guadeloupe 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.
📍 Nearby Ports
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