UN/LOCODE: HNLCE📍 Honduras
Port of La Ceiba (UN/LOCODE HNLCE)
❖ Coordinates: 15.7703°N, -86.7919°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Tegucigalpa
❖ UN/LOCODE: HNLCE
## About the Port
### Overview
The Port of **La Ceiba** (UN/LOCODE: **HNLCE**) is the principal maritime gateway for the department of **Atlántida** in northwestern Honduras. Situated at **15.770288 °N, 86.7919009 °W**, the port lies on the western shore of the Caribbean Sea and benefits from a natural deep‑water harbor that supports both large oceangoing vessels and smaller regional craft. Managed by the **Honduran Port Authority (Autoridad Portuaria Nacional)**, La Ceiba operates under the broader national port system that includes Puerto Cortés, Puerto Castilla, and Puerto San Lorenzo.
The port’s strategic location makes it a linchpin for trade between Central America, the United States, and the Caribbean basin. Its time zone (**America/Tegucigalpa**, UTC‑6) aligns with the business hours of major North‑American and Latin‑American markets, facilitating smoother logistics coordination. While the port’s container handling capacity remains modest compared with the region’s larger hubs, recent investments have begun to expand its capability for handling diversified cargo types.
## History
### Early Development
La Ceiba’s maritime significance began in the early‑20th century as a modest landing point for banana shipments destined for U.S. markets. The United Fruit Company’s rail and port facilities turned the town into a bustling commercial node, linking the fertile valleys of the Atlantic coastline to the global supply chain. The first official harbor works were initiated in the 1940s, formalizing the natural cove into a protected anchorage.
### Mid‑century Expansion
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Honduran government, in partnership with international shipping lines, expanded the harbor’s infrastructure. Dredging projects increased draft to 9 meters, allowing larger freighters to berth directly. The construction of a dedicated banana terminal and a general cargo pier in 1965 solidified La Ceiba’s role as the country’s second‑largest port after Puerto Cortés.
### Modernisation and Privatisation
The 1990s saw a wave of port reforms across Central America. In La Ceiba, a public‑private partnership (PPP) was formed to upgrade the container handling facilities, introducing two 20‑ton gantry cranes and a 250‑meter container berth. Recent (2018‑2022) dredging programs have deepened the approach channel to 12 meters, enabling Post‑Panamax vessels to call at the terminal. These upgrades have been documented by the **Honduran Port Authority** and are highlighted in BIMCO’s *Port Development Overview* (see Honduran Port Authority↗).
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Harbor Layout
The port comprises a **single, east‑facing quay** extending approximately 600 meters, backed by a protected basin with an average depth of 9 meters. The **entrance channel** is 300 meters wide and has been dredged to a minimum depth of 12 meters to accommodate larger vessels. The harbor’s layout includes three primary berths: a container berth, a general cargo berth, and a bulk commodity berth.
### Container Facility
The container terminal features two **Gantry Crane (GC) units** with lifts of 22 meters, capable of handling 20‑ and 40‑foot containers. The container yard is equipped with container handling equipment (reach stackers, forklifts) and a customs clearing area that streamlines import/export documentation. The terminal’s capacity is roughly **250,000 TEU** per year, with loading/unloading operations coordinated 24/7.
### Bulk Handling
Bulk cargo handling is centred around the **Banana Terminal**, which includes a refrigerated storage warehouse (capacity ≈ 30,000 MT) and a rapid transfer system that moves bananas from ship to truck within 4‑6 hours. In addition to bananas, the port accommodates **rice, sugar, cement, and coal** via shore‑based conveyor belts and gravimetric scales. The bulk berth also supports **cargo handling for mining projects** in the interior, such as iron ore and limestone.
### Support Services
- **Pilotage & Towage:** Licensed pilots are required for all vessels over 10,000 GRT; the port maintains a fleet of three tugboats (maximum 30 t Bollard Pull) for berthing assistance.
- ** warehousing & Logistics:** Over 30,000 m² of bonded warehouse space is available for customs clearance, cold‑storage, and intra‑port transshipment.
- **Naval and Repair Services:** A small shipyard offers docking, anti-fouling, and minor mechanical repairs.
- **Communications & Navigation Aids:** The port is equipped with VHF radio, satellite communications, and modern navigation aids (fucao buoy system, AIS broadcast).
## Economic Importance
The Port of La Ceiba is a **critical economic artery for the Atlantic coast of Honduras**, contributing an estimated **US$150 million** annually to the department’s GDP. Its principal role is to **facilitate the export of agricultural products**—particularly bananas, which represent roughly **70 %** of total cargo volume—and to **import consumer goods, machinery, and construction materials** for the domestic market.
The port’s hinterland includes the **Cנה watershed**, major coffee‑growing regions, and emerging **tourism corridors** in the Bay Islands. By providing direct access to the **U.S. Gulf Coast and East Coast ports**, La Ceiba helps Honduran exporters compete in North‑American markets without reliance on transshipment through Caribbean hubs like Kingston or Miami.
Moreover, the port underpins **regional integration initiatives** under the **Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA‑DR)**. Studies by the World Bank note that ports with deep‑water access, such as La Ceiba, increase trade efficiency by reducing vessel turnaround time and handling costs. This capability has attracted **foreign direct investment** in the agriculture‑processing and logistics sectors, reinforcing the port’s role as a catalyst for broader socio‑economic development in Atlantida and neighboring departments.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Routes
1. **North‑South Corridor:** Direct calls from U.S. Gulf ports (e.g., New Orleans, Houston) to La Ceiba, carrying consumer electronics, automotive parts, and construction equipment.
2. **Caribbean Loop:** Regular service to Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados) facilitating two‑way flows of foodstuffs and refined fuels.
3. **Panama Canal Linkage:** Seasonal vessels from Pacific ports (Callao, Panama City) transit the Panama Canal and call La Ceiba, delivering bulk commodities such as coal and cement to the Honduran market.
### Major Cargo Commodities
- **Containers:** Consignments of **apparel, footwear, and electronics** dominate the import flow, while **re‑exports of agricultural machinery** constitute a sizable portion of outbound container traffic.
- **Bananas:** Fresh‑packed bananas are the flagship export, shipped primarily to the United States, Canada, and European markets. The port’s refrigerated facilities ensure compliance with phytosanitary standards set by importing countries.
- **Bulk Agriculture:** **Coffee beans, rice, and sugar** are regularly handled, with seasonal spikes tied to harvest cycles. The port also serves as a transshipment point for **coffee** destined for regional roasters.
- **Cement & Construction Materials:** Imports of **Portland cement, steel, and concrete additives** support Honduras’ rapid infrastructure development, especially road and housing projects.
- **Mining & Minerals:** Small‑scale shipments of **iron ore and limestone** from interior mines are exported via La Ceiba’s bulk berth, catering to regional steel producers.
The combination of **diversified cargo handling**, **deep water**, and **strategic geographic positioning** makes La Ceiba a resilient hub within Central America’s maritime network. Ongoing modernization, supported by both public investment and private sector participation, is expected to further enhance its competitiveness and integration into global supply chains.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
HNLCE
Country
Honduras
Province / Region
Atlantida
Latitude
15.770288
Longitude
-86.791901
Timezone
America/Tegucigalpa
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of La Ceiba?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of La Ceiba is HNLCE.
Where is Port of La Ceiba located?
The Port of La Ceiba is located in Honduras, Atlantida. Its coordinates are 15.7703°N, -86.7919°E.
What time zone is Port of La Ceiba in?
Port of La Ceiba operates in the America/Tegucigalpa 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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