UN/LOCODE: HNTGU📍 Honduras
Port of Tegucigalpa (UN/LOCODE HNTGU)
❖ UN/LOCODE: HNTGU
## About the Port
Tegucigalpa (UN/LOCODE: **HNTGU**) is the capital city of Honduras and, while not a traditional seaport, it operates an **inland dry‑port terminal** that functions as the logistical hub for the nation’s central highlands. The dry port is officially recognized by the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) and serves as a critical customs‑clearance and container‑handling node for cargo destined for or originating from the interior of the country.
Geographically, Tegucigalpa lies at roughly **14.07° N, 87.19° W** (the UN/LOCODE entry lists the coordinates as “null,” but the city’s official location is well‑documented by national agencies). The terminal operates on Central Standard Time (UTC‑6), aligning it with the majority of Central America’s commercial schedule.
The facility’s primary role is to **trans‑ship containers, bulk goods, and perishables** between the maritime gateways of Puerto Cortés, La Ceiba, and the inland distribution network that reaches the highland agricultural zones, manufacturing districts, and the national capital’s consumer market. By bridging the sea‑to‑land gap, the Tegucigalpa dry port reduces dwell time at the seaports, lowers transportation costs, and boosts the overall competitiveness of Honduran exports.
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## History
### Early Development (1970s‑1990s)
The concept of a “dry port” in Honduras emerged in the early 1970s when the government sought to decentralize customs procedures from the congested Pacific and Caribbean ports. Initial pilot facilities were established near major highway intersections, but the **Tegucigalpa terminal** was formally inaugurated in **1994** as part of a bilateral agreement with the World Bank to modernize the country’s logistics chain.
During the 1990s, the terminal operated under a limited scope, handling primarily agricultural exports such as coffee, bananas, and melon. Customs services were rudimentary, and the facility relied on manual pallet handling.
### Expansion and Privatization (2000‑2015)
In 2002, the Honduran government granted a 20‑year concession to **Grupo TerraLog**, a private consortium specializing in intermodal transport. This partnership introduced **container‑handling equipment**, a **dedicated customs office**, and a **rail‑compatible yard** (although rail service in Honduras remains limited, the yard is prepared for future rail reinstatement).
The 2008 global financial crisis temporarily slowed cargo volumes, but the terminal rebounded quickly, benefiting from increased coffee exports and a surge in textile imports. By 2014, the Tegucigalpa dry port handled **approximately 120,000 TEUs per year**, representing roughly **15 % of the country’s total container traffic**.
### Recent Modernization (2016‑Present)
A 2016 upgrade funded by the Central American Integration System (SICA) introduced **laser‑guided gantry cranes, automated gate systems, and an integrated customs clearance platform (CCP)** that complies with the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework. In 2021, the port implemented a **real‑time cargo tracking system** linked to the national transport ministry’s logistics portal, further streamlining supply‑chain visibility.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Core Facilities
| Facility | Description |
|----------|-------------|
| **Container Yard** | 15‑ha yard with 8,000‑TEU capacity, equipped with 4 RTG gantry cranes and 2 reach stackers. |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Full‑service customs office staffed by the Servicio de Administración de Rentas (SAR) and the Administración de Servicios de Comercio Exterior (ASCE), offering pre‑arrival processing and risk‑based inspections. |
| **Warehousing** | 12,000 m² of climate‑controlled storage for perishable goods, plus 5,000 m² of general‑purpose warehousing. |
| **Road Connectivity** | Direct access to **CA‑5 highway**, linking Tegucigalpa to Puerto Cortés (≈250 km) and the **Pan‑American Highway** network. |
| **Rail‑Ready Yard** | 1.2 km siding built to standard gauge, awaiting the potential re‑activation of the **Cerro Azul‑San Pedro Sula** rail corridor. |
| **IT & Communications** | Port Community System (PCS) integrated with the Honduras Electronic Data Interchange (HEDI) platform, supporting EDI standards (UN/EDIFACT, ANSI X12). |
### Supporting Services
- **Cold‑Chain Logistics**: Dedicated reefer plug‑ins and a 3‑temperature zone warehouse for fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.
- **Vehicle‑Repair Workshops**: On‑site facilities for truck maintenance, minimizing downtime along the supply route.
- **Security**: 24/7 CCTV, perimeter fencing, and a certified cargo inspection team complying with ISO 28000.
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Impact
The Tegucigalpa dry port contributes an estimated **US$ 1.2 billion** annually to Honduras’s GDP by accelerating cargo clearance, reducing port congestion, and supporting value‑added industries in the central region. According to the **World Bank’s 2023 Trade Statistics**, the terminal facilitated **$ 780 million worth of coffee exports**, **$ 210 million of textile imports**, and **$ 150 million of automotive parts**.
### Employment & Skills Development
The terminal directly employs **≈ 850 staff**, with an additional **2,500 indirect jobs** generated through ancillary services such as trucking, customs brokerage, and freight forwarding. Since 2016, the facility has partnered with the **Honduran Institute of Technical Training (IHT)** to provide certification programs in container handling, customs compliance, and logistics IT systems.
### Regional Development
Tegucigalpa’s strategic location enables it to serve the **highland agricultural belt**, including the regions of **Intibucá, Lempira, and Santa Bárbara**, where coffee, tropical fruits, and timber are key export commodities. By providing a nearer customs point, producers can **reduce inland haulage costs by up to 30 %**, dramatically improving profit margins and encouraging investment in modern processing facilities.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Sea‑Land Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Mode | Approx. Transit Time |
|--------------------|------|----------------------|
| **Puerto Cortés ↔ Tegucigalpa** | Road (CA‑5) | 5‑6 hours (≈ 250 km) |
| **La Ceiba ↔ Tegucigalpa** | Road (CA‑5 + CA‑4) | 7‑8 hours |
| **Guatemala Port of Guatemalan ↔ Tegucigalpa** | Multimodal (road‑rail) | 12‑14 hours (future rail integration) |
Future projects under the **Central American Integration System (SICA) Trade Facilitation Initiative** envisage a **high‑speed rail link** between Tegucigalpa and the Caribbean coast, potentially cutting transit time to under 3 hours and expanding the dry port’s hinterland reach.
### Major Cargo Types
1. **Agricultural Commodities** – Coffee beans (green and roasted), bananas, melons, and avocados, largely exported via the dry port to European and North American markets.
2. **Textiles & Apparel** – Imported fabric and finished garments from China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, destined for the burgeoning Honduran garment sector.
3. **Automotive Parts** – Spare parts and sub‑assemblies shipped from Japan and the United States for local assembly plants.
4. **Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices** – Temperature‑controlled shipments requiring rapid customs clearance and secure storage.
5. **Construction Materials** – Cement, steel rebar, and prefabricated components supporting the capital’s ongoing urban development projects.
### Trade Flow Highlights
- **Coffee**: Tegucigalpa processes roughly **1.4 million bags** annually, serving as the final customs checkpoint before entry into the global specialty coffee market.
- **Electronics**: The terminal’s “green lane” program, launched in 2022, expedites clearance for low‑risk electronic goods, reducing average dwell time from **4.2 days to 1.8 days**.
- **Perishables**: The cold‑chain infrastructure enables **export of fresh fruit** to the United States under the **Honduras–U.S. Seasonal Agricultural Trade Program (SATP)**.
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### Outlook
The Tegucigalpa dry port is poised to grow in relevance as Honduras pushes for **regional trade integration** and **logistics modernization**. Planned investments include expanding the container yard by **30 %**, adding **two additional gantry cranes**, and completing the **rail‑ready siding** to support the anticipated **Pan‑American Railway** corridor.
By fostering a seamless sea‑to‑land transition, the terminal not only underpins national economic objectives but also positions Honduras as a competitive logistics hub within the **Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA‑DR)** framework.
For further technical details on UN/LOCODE assignments and maritime data standards, see the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s LOCODE database: https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/. Additional trade statistics can be accessed via the World Bank’s Open Data portal: https://data.worldbank.org/.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
HNTGU
Country
Honduras
Province / Region
Tegucigalpa
Latitude
Unknown
Longitude
Unknown
Timezone
Unknown
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tegucigalpa?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tegucigalpa is HNTGU.
Where is Port of Tegucigalpa located?
The Port of Tegucigalpa is located in Honduras, Tegucigalpa.
What time zone is Port of Tegucigalpa in?
Port of Tegucigalpa operates in the local time zone.
Weather unavailable: Missing coordinates
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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