UN/LOCODE: HTCAP📍 Haiti
Port of Cap-Haitien (UN/LOCODE HTCAP)
❖ Coordinates: 19.7500°N, -72.2000°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Port-au-Prince
❖ UN/LOCODE: HTCAP
## About the Port
Cap‑Haitien (UN/LOCODE: **HTCAP**) is Haiti’s second‑largest maritime gateway, situated on the northern coast of the island at **19.75° N, 72.20° W**. The port lies in the Nord department, about 260 km north‑east of the capital Port‑au‑Prince and operates on Haiti’s standard time zone (America/Port‑au‑Prince, UTC‑5). Managed by the **Autorité Portuaire d’Haïti (APCH)** under the Ministry of Public Works, Cap‑Haitien handles a mix of containerized, bulk, and break‑bulk cargoes, serving both commercial importers and the growing tourism sector. Its natural deep‑water anchorage, protected by a breakwater constructed in the 1970s, enables vessels up to **10 000 GT** to berth year‑round, making it a critical node for the northern hinterland and a logistical hub for the Caribbean‑wide supply chain.
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## History
The origins of Cap‑Haitien’s maritime facilities trace back to the French colonial era when the town, then known as **Le Cap**, functioned as a principal export point for coffee, sugar, and indigo. After Haitian independence in 1804, the port’s activity waned but revived in the early 20th century with the installation of rudimentary wooden piers to accommodate steamers from the United States and Europe.
In the 1970s, a major modernization program funded by a consortium of international lenders (World Bank, Inter‑American Development Bank) led to the construction of a **concrete breakwater**, a **single‑berth quay** (350 m), and basic cargo handling equipment. The 1990s saw a brief decline due to political instability, yet the port survived because of its strategic location close to the northern agricultural belt.
Since 2005, the Haitian government, in partnership with **UNCTAD** and the **International Maritime Organization**, has undertaken incremental upgrades: the installation of a **Gantry crane (30 t capacity)**, expansion of the container yard, and the introduction of a digital port community system (PCS). These reforms have positioned Cap‑Haitien as a focal point for regional trade diversification, especially after the 2010 earthquake that crippled the Port‑au‑Prince facilities.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Feature | Specification | Operational Notes |
|---------|----------------|-------------------|
| **Berths** | 1 deep‑water berth (350 m) – draft 10.5 m | Handles container ships, Ro‑Ro vessels, and medium‑size bulk carriers |
| **Quay Length** | 350 m total | Reinforced concrete, equipped with bollards for 30‑tonne mooring |
| **Cranes** | 1 container gantry crane (30 t) + 2 mobile crane units (15 t each) | Gantry crane capable of 12‑row handling; mobile cranes assist in break‑bulk operations |
| **Warehousing** | 12 000 m² covered storage (dry) + 8 000 m² open‑yard | Equipped with fire‑suppression system; fenced perimeters |
| **Container Yard** | 15 hectares, 4,200 TEU capacity | Ground‑racked with pre‑striped bays for efficient stacking |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Dedicated customs office, 2 X‑ray scanners, electronic manifest system | Integrated with Haiti’s National Customs Authority (DN) and the PCS platform |
| **Ancillary Services** | Ship chandlery, bunkering (diesel, lubricants), freshwater supply (5 000 m³/day) | 24‑hour pilotage and towage provided by locally certified crews |
| **Connectivity** | Road: RN3 (Cap‑Haitien–Port‑au‑Prince), RN2 (north‑south corridor) <br>Rail: No active rail line (historical spur decommissioned) <br>Telecom: Fiber‑optic link to Port‑au‑Prince data center | Road network upgraded in 2018 to support heavy truck traffic; plans for a future inter‑modal terminal under feasibility study |
The port also maintains **environmental safeguards**, including an oil‑spill response team, a 4 MW solar array supplying auxiliary power, and compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
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## Economic Importance
Cap‑Haitien’s port contributes disproportionately to Haiti’s northern economy. In 2023, the facility processed **≈ 1.6 million tons** of cargo, representing **≈ 18 %** of the nation’s total maritime throughput. Key economic impacts include:
* **Agricultural Export Hub** – The surrounding Nord region produces roughly **45 %** of Haiti’s banana, mango, and coffee yields. Cap‑Haitien’s container and refrigerated facilities enable these perishable goods to reach U.S. and EU markets with minimal post‑harvest loss.
* **Import Dependency** – Approximately **70 %** of the port’s inbound cargo consists of construction materials (steel, cement), fuel, and consumer goods, underpinning reconstruction projects and the daily needs of the local population.
* **Employment** – Direct port operations employ **≈ 1 200** workers; ancillary services (logistics, trucking, customs brokerage) generate another **3 500** jobs, contributing to a lower unemployment rate in the Nord department relative to the national average.
* **Tourism Gateway** – Cruise liners such as *MSC Seashore* and *Royal Caribbean’s* regional ships have begun calling at Cap‑Haitien, supporting the nearby historical sites of the *Citadelle Laferrière* and *Sans‑Souci Palace*. Cruise‑ship passenger traffic adds an estimated **US$12 million** annually to the local economy.
The port’s strategic location also makes it a viable **transshipment point** for Caribbean islands lacking deep‑water facilities. Shipping lines increasingly use Cap‑Haitien as a pivot to redistribute cargo to the Lesser Antilles, enhancing regional trade resiliency.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Vessel Types | Frequency (2023) |
|--------------------|--------------|------------------|
| **Port‑au‑Prince (HTPAP)** | Feeder container ships, barges | 4‑6 sailings/month |
| **Miami, USA (USMIA)** | Containerships (5,000‑10,000 GT) | 2‑3 sailings/month |
| **New York, USA (USNYC)** | Feeder & Pan‑amax containers | 1‑2 sailings/month |
| **Guadeloupe (GPPTI)** | Ro‑Ro, mixed cargo | Weekly |
| **Fort de France, Martinique (MFCOT)** | Bulk carriers, container feeders | Bi‑weekly |
| **Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DOMST)** | Roll‑on/roll‑off, break‑bulk | 3‑4 sailings/month |
These routes are facilitated by both **regular liner services** (e.g., *CMA CGM* and *MSC* on the Caribbean loop) and **charter operations** that respond to seasonal agricultural surges. The port’s proximity to the **Windward Passage**—a high‑traffic strait for North‑South Atlantic shipping—provides ancillary fuel bunkering opportunities for transiting vessels.
### Dominant Cargo Categories
1. **Agricultural Produce** – Fresh bananas, mangoes, and coffee beans dominate outbound container loads, often shipped in refrigerated containers (ISO 22R).
2. **Construction Materials** – Imports of cement, steel reinforcement bars, and prefabricated building components drive most bulk cargo movements.
3. **Petroleum Products** – Diesel and gasoline are supplied via medium‑size tankers (≈ 5 000 DWT) to service the domestic fuel market and the port’s own generator fleet.
4. **Consumer Goods** – Textiles, electronics, and packaged foods constitute the bulk of containerized imports, sourced primarily from the United States, the European Union, and China.
5. **Industrial Equipment** – Machinery for agriculture and small‑scale manufacturing arrives on roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) vessels, supporting Haiti’s nascent agro‑processing sector.
The cargo mix reflects a **dual‑purpose** profile: export‑oriented agricultural commodities and import‑oriented development goods. Seasonal peaks occur in **June–August**, aligning with the Caribbean fruit‑harvest calendar, while construction imports surge during the **post‑hurricane rebuilding cycles**.
### Emerging Trends
* **Cold‑Chain Expansion** – Investments in additional reefer points and solar‑powered refrigeration aim to increase perishable export volumes by **15 %** over the next five years.
* **Digital Trade Facilitation** – The adoption of the **Port Community System (PCS)**, linked to the Caribbean Trade Facilitation Network, reduces vessel turnaround time from an average of **48 hours** to **≈ 30 hours**, enhancing competitiveness.
* **Sustainability Initiatives** – Alignment with the *International Maritime Organization’s* IMO 2020 sulphur cap has led to the installation of low‑sulphur fuel storage tanks and a pilot **shore‑power** program for docked vessels, decreasing local emissions by an estimated **8 %**.
> For a detailed overview of Caribbean port performance metrics, see the **UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport** (2023) — UNCTAD Statistics↗
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**Cap‑Haitien Port** stands as a pivotal maritime asset for Haiti, blending historic significance with modern infrastructure. Its continued development—anchored in strategic investments, regional connectivity, and sustainable practices—positions the port to play an even larger role in Caribbean trade dynamics and the economic resurgence of northern Haiti.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
HTCAP
Country
Haiti
Province / Region
Nord
Latitude
19.750000
Longitude
-72.200000
Timezone
America/Port-au-Prince
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Cap-Haitien?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Cap-Haitien is HTCAP.
Where is Port of Cap-Haitien located?
The Port of Cap-Haitien is located in Haiti, Nord. Its coordinates are 19.7500°N, -72.2000°E.
What time zone is Port of Cap-Haitien in?
Port of Cap-Haitien operates in the America/Port-au-Prince 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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