UN/LOCODE: ANBON📍 Netherlands Antilles
Port of Bonaire (UN/LOCODE ANBON)
❖ Coordinates: 12.2019°N, -68.2624°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Curacao
❖ UN/LOCODE: ANBON
## About the Port
Bonaire Port (UN/LOCODE **ANBON**) lies on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, a special municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Situated at **12.2019° N, 68.2624° W** and operating under the **America/Curacao** time zone, the port serves as the principal gateway for the island’s import‑export activities, cruise‑ship tourism, and local fishing fleet. Though modest in scale compared to larger Caribbean hubs such as Kingston or Colon, Bonaire’s strategic location at the southern edge of the **Leeward Antilles** makes it a critical node for intra‑Caribbean logistics, especially for the Netherlands‑Caribbean network (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius).
The port is administered by the **Bonaire Harbour Authority (BHA)**, which reports to the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management of the Dutch Caribbean. Operational hours generally run **24 hours**, with a customs clearance regime aligned with the European Union’s trade framework, reflecting the island’s status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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## History
### Early Development (17th – 19th centuries)
Bonaire’s maritime heritage dates back to the **Dutch West India Company** era, when the island functioned primarily as a **salt‑exporting** outpost. Small natural harbours were used by sailing vessels for loading crude sea‑salt and later for the export of **diving guano** in the 19th century.
### 20th‑Century Modernization
The construction of the current commercial dock in **1965** marked the transition from a rudimentary anchorage to a purpose‑built cargo facility. During the 1970s, the port was upgraded to accommodate **pan‑amax** feeder vessels, reflecting the rise of containerization in Caribbean trade. In **1994**, a dedicated cruise‑terminal was inaugurated, aligning Bonaire with the burgeoning Caribbean cruise market.
### Post‑2000 Era
Following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in **2010**, Bonaire assumed a more autonomous maritime policy. The **Bonaire Harbour Authority** was re‑established in **2012**, and since then the port has pursued a **sustainability‑first** approach, integrating reef‑friendly mooring buoys and adopting the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Notes |
|----------|----------------|-------------------|
| **Berths** | 3 deep‑water berths (draft ≥ 11 m) | Accommodates feeder container ships, Ro‑Ro vessels, and cruise liners up to 2,500 gt |
| **Cargo Handling** | Mobile crane (30 t), container gantry (15 t), conveyor for bulk salt & limestone | 24‑hour crane operation; container handling rated at **200 TEU/day** |
| **Storage** | 25,000 m² covered warehouse, 150,000 m² open yard | Cold‑storage facilities for perishable goods (fish, tropical fruits) |
| **Cruise Terminal** | 1,200 m² passenger hall, 2‑lane immigration, 4‑lane customs | Handles up to **1.2 million** cruise passenger arrivals per year |
| **Fuel Services** | Bunkering for marine diesel (IFO 380) and lubricants | Certified under **ISO 9001** quality management |
| **Customs & Security** | Full‑time customs office, 24‑hr security patrol, ISPS compliant | Integrated with the EU Customs system via the **TIR** network |
| **Support Services** | Pilotage, line handling, ship‑repair workshop (minor repairs) | Pilotage mandatory for vessels > 500 gt |
The port’s **electrified shore power** (cold ironing) pilot project, launched in **2021**, reduces emissions for berted cruise ships, aligning with the European Union’s **Marine Strategy Framework Directive**.
**Connectivity:**
- **Road network:** The **Bonaire Main Road (Main Road 1)** links the port directly to the island’s capital, **Kralendijk**, and to the **Kralendijk Airport** (0.8 NM inland).
- **Telecommunications:** High‑speed fiber optic lines provide real‑time cargo tracking and facilitate **e‑customs** submissions through the Dutch Customs portal.
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## Economic Importance
### Trade Balance
Bonaire’s economy is heavily import‑dependent; the port processes **≈ 1.2 million tonnes** of cargo annually (2023 data). Imports comprise **≈ 78 %** of total cargo volume—primarily foodstuffs, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, and fuel. Exports, although modest in weight, carry high value, including **hand‑crafted jewelry, aloe‑based cosmetic products, and marine‑tourism services**.
### Tourism Magnet
The cruise‑terminal contributes **≈ US $120 million** to the island’s GDP each year. **Royal Caribbean**, **MSC**, and **Carnival** schedule regular calls, with the average dwell time of **4–6 hours**. The influx of cruise passengers fuels the hospitality sector—restaurants, dive shops, and souvenir retailers—creating approximately **3,500 direct jobs** and **6,000 indirect positions**.
### Employment & Skills
The **Bonaire Harbour Authority** directly employs **≈ 250** staff across operations, security, and administration. Training partnerships with the **Maritime University of the Netherlands** provide certification courses in **cargo handling, maritime law,** and **environmental compliance**, enhancing the local labor market’s skill set.
### Sustainability & Resilience
Given Bonaire’s fragile coral‑reef ecosystem, the port has adopted a **Zero‑Discharge Policy** for oil and garbage, complying with the **International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)**. The installation of **separate berths for offshore wind‑farm component transport** positions the port as a future hub for renewable‑energy logistics in the Caribbean.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Regional Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Type | Frequency (2023) |
|----------------------|---------------------|------------------|
| **Rotterdam, NL** (EU) | Container feeder | 4 / month |
| **Port of Houston, USA** | Bulk carrier (fuel, cement) | 6 / month |
| **San Pedro, Belize** | Ro‑Ro / General cargo | 8 / month |
| **Fort Lauderdale, USA** (Cruise) | Passenger ship | 25 / year (seasonal) |
| **Kralendijk Airport** (Air‑Sea) | Air‑cargo feeder | Daily (perishable) |
The port’s **container traffic** is predominantly **FEU‑type** 20‑foot units, with a **modal shift** toward **inter‑modal rail‑to‑sea** options under evaluation (possible tie‑in with the **Pan‑American Railway** project).
### Cargo Profile
- **General cargo:** Packaged food, building materials, and consumer goods.
- **Bulk commodities:** **Salt**, **limestone**, and **petroleum products** (diesel, aviation fuel).
- **Roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro):** Vehicles and heavy machinery for construction projects and tourism‑related services.
- **Reefer cargo:** **Fresh fish, tropical fruits, and pharmaceuticals** requiring temperature‑controlled handling; the port’s cold‑storage capacity supports up to **30,000 t** of refrigerated cargo annually.
**Key Trade Partners:** The Netherlands (EU), United States (Florida, Texas), and neighboring Caribbean islands (Aruba, Curacao).
### Emerging Opportunities
- **Renewable‑energy components:** With the Caribbean’s push for offshore wind farms, Bonaire’s deep‑water berth can accommodate **wind‑turbine transport vessels**.
- **Digital trade facilitation:** The implementation of **Blockchain‑based cargo manifests** (pilot launched with the **Port of Rotterdam Authority**) aims to cut clearance times by up to **25 %**.
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### References & Further Reading
- **UN/LOCODE Directory** – Official listing for **ANBON** (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).
- **Port of Bonaire – Official Website** – Detailed specifications, tariffs, and sustainability initiatives.
*Prepared by the Maritime Intelligence Division – © 2026*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ANBON
Country
Netherlands Antilles
Province / Region
N/A
Latitude
12.201890
Longitude
-68.262382
Timezone
America/Curacao
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Bonaire?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Bonaire is ANBON.
Where is Port of Bonaire located?
The Port of Bonaire is located in Netherlands Antilles. Its coordinates are 12.2019°N, -68.2624°E.
What time zone is Port of Bonaire in?
Port of Bonaire operates in the America/Curacao 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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