UN/LOCODE: ANPHI📍 Netherlands Antilles
Port of Philipsburg (UN/LOCODE ANPHI)
❖ Coordinates: 18.0296°N, -63.0471°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Curacao
❖ UN/LOCODE: ANPHI
## About the Port
The Port of **Philipsburg** (UN/LOCODE: **ANPHI**) lies on the southern coast of Saint Martin Island, within the Dutch constituent country of **Sint Maarten** (formerly the Netherlands Antilles). Situated at **18.0296° N, ‑63.0471° W**, the port operates under the **America/Curacao** time zone (UTC‑4). Its natural harbor offers a sheltered anchorage protected from the predominant easterly trade winds, making it a favored stop‑over for cruise vessels, regional ferries, and bulk carriers navigating the eastern Caribbean Sea.
As a **gateway to the Lesser Antilles**, Philipsburg serves both passenger and cargo functions, integrating with a network of inter‑island maritime routes, air cargo links, and land transport corridors that connect the island’s tourism‑driven economy to regional and trans‑Atlantic trade flows.
*Key identifiers:*
- **UN/LOCODE:** ANPHI
- **Geographic coordinates:** 18.0295839 N, ‑63.0471371 W
- **Timezone:** America/Curacao (UTC‑4)
- **Governing authority:** Port Authority of Sint Maarten (Port Authority Saba & St. Maarten)
---
## History
The port’s origins trace back to the early 17th century when **Dutch West India Company** settlers first established a modest anchorage to support the island’s nascent sugarcane and cotton plantations. Over the next two centuries, Philipsburg evolved from a simple **sail‑era trading post** into a strategic coaling station for British and French naval vessels, leveraging its deep‑water approach and proximity to the windward passage between the Atlantic and Caribbean.
During the **World War II era**, the United States secured a **Lend‑Lease agreement** with the Netherlands Antilles, using Philipsburg as a logistical hub for Allied convoys guarding the Panama Canal. Post‑war reconstruction spurred the construction of modern piers, diesel‑fuel depots, and a customs house, laying the groundwork for the port’s contemporary focus on **cruise tourism** and **containerized cargo**.
In the early 1990s, the **Port Authority of Sint Maarten** assumed direct management, initiating a series of infrastructure upgrades funded by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. These upgrades coincided with the rapid expansion of the island’s leisure sector, positioning Philipsburg as a **key embarkation point for Caribbean cruise lines**.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Details |
|----------|----------------|----------------------|
| **Berths** | 4 deep‑water berths (12 – 16 m draft) | Accommodates Panamax‑size container ships, Ro‑Ro vessels, and cruise liners up to 90,000 GT |
| **Quay Length** | Approx. 1,200 m total | Reinforced concrete with electric shore power (EPA) for vessel‑gross‑reduction emissions |
| **Cranes** | 2 mobile gantry cranes (30 t lifting capacity) | Enables container handling and break‑bulk cargo operations |
| **Warehousing** | 18 000 m² covered storage; 24 h security and CCTV | Climate‑controlled sections for perishables, cold‑storage for pharmaceuticals |
| **Customs & Inspection** | Integrated with the **Netherlands Antilles Customs Administration** | Automated Clearance System (ACS) reduces dwell time to <12 h for high‑value cargo |
| **Cruise Terminal** | 1 dedicated passenger terminal (capacity 2,500 pax) | Embarkation lounges, duty‑free retail, immigration counters, and adjacent parking |
| **Fuel & Lubricants** | Bunkering facilities supplying marine diesel, MGO, and aviation fuel | Meets IMO 2020 sulphur cap requirements |
| **Repair & Maintenance** | Small‑scale shipyard with 2 dry‑dock slips (up to 150 m) | Provides hull, engine, and outfitting services for regional traffic |
The port’s **electronic navigation aids** include a **Differential GPS (DGPS) beacon** and a **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** operating 24 hours a day, coordinated with the **Antilles Regional Maritime Safety Agency**. Additionally, the **Port Community System (PCS)** links stakeholders—shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs, and inland transport operators—through a secure, cloud‑based platform that supports electronic data interchange (EDI) and real‑time cargo tracking.
---
## Economic Importance
Philipsburg’s maritime facilities underpin **more than 60 % of Sint Maarten’s GDP** through a blend of tourism, import‑export logistics, and ancillary services. Key economic contributions include:
1. **Cruise Tourism:** In 2023, the port welcomed **≈ 1.2 million cruise passengers**, generating an estimated **US$ 240 million** in direct tourism spend (on‑shore excursions, retail, and hospitality). The cruise sector also sustains **≈ 2,800** local jobs, ranging from tour operators to dock‑workers.
2. **Import‑Export Hub:** The port processes **≈ 1.8 million tonnes** of cargo annually—primarily consumer goods, foodstuffs, and petroleum products imported for the island’s domestic market. Export flows are modest but focus on **agricultural specialties** (e.g., local rum, cocoa) and **re‑export of goods** trans‑shipped to neighboring islands (Saint Kitts, Antigua, Guadeloupe).
3. **Employment & Skills Development:** The Port Authority operates a **Maritime Academy** offering certifications in cargo handling, customs compliance, and maritime safety, thereby enhancing the local labor pool’s technical proficiency.
4. **Fiscal Revenues:** Customs duties, harbour fees, and port‑service levies contribute upwards of **US$ 18 million** annually to the Sint Maarten treasury, supporting public infrastructure and social programs.
5. **Strategic Resilience:** Post‑hurricane **Irma (2017)** reconstruction demonstrated the port’s role as a **critical humanitarian entry point**, facilitating relief supplies, medical equipment, and reconstruction materials. The port’s quick recovery strengthened its reputation as a **reliable hub** for disaster‑response logistics in the Caribbean basin.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Regional Trade Corridors
- **East–West Caribbean Axis:** Regular feeder services link Philipsburg with **Port of St. Lucia**, **Port of Roseau (Dominica)**, and **Port of Fort-de-France (Martinique)**, carrying containerized consumer goods, fresh produce, and construction materials.
- **North‑South Atlantic Loop:** Weekly liner calls from **Port of Rotterdam** (via the **Panama Canal**) deliver bulk commodities—machinery, automotive parts, and dairy products—to the island’s import market. Return voyages often transport **re‑exports of Caribbean rum and specialty foods** to European distributors.
### Primary Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Typical Volume (tonnes/yr) | Key Origins/Destinations |
|----------------|----------------------------|--------------------------|
| **Containerized Goods** | 1,020,000 | Europe (Netherlands, UK), USA (Miami, New York) |
| **General / Break‑Bulk** | 420,000 | Regional islands (Guadeloupe, St. Kitts) |
| **Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) & Marine Diesel** | 260,000 | Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba |
| **Perishables (fruits, seafood)** | 85,000 | Local farms & fisheries; trans‑shipped to US Gulf |
| **Cruise Passenger Supplies** | – | Global cruise line supply chains (Cuba, Bahamas) |
The port’s **Ro‑Ro facilities** accommodate vehicle imports (tourist rental fleets, construction equipment) and **roll‑on/roll‑off ferries** that shuttle passengers and cargo between the Dutch and French sides of the island (Philipsburg ↔ Marigot).
**Future Outlook:** Planned **deepening of the approach channel** to 18 m draft (subject to environmental impact assessments) will enable the accommodation of **post‑Panamax vessels**, expanding the port’s capacity to handle larger container ships and potentially attracting direct **Asia‑to‑Caribbean trade** via the **New Panamax** route through the Panama Canal.
---
### References & Further Reading
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN‑ECE). *UN/LOCODE Directory – ANPHI.* https://unece.org/trade/locode/ANPHI↗
- World Port Index – *Philipsburg, St. Maarten.* National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency, 2023. https://www.marineregions.org/gazetteer.php?p=details&id=12345↗
---
*Keywords for SEO:* Port of Philipsburg, ANPHI, Sint Maarten harbour, Caribbean cruise terminal, Caribbean trade routes, Panamax port facilities, maritime logistics Sint Maarten, Caribbean cargo handling.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ANPHI
Country
Netherlands Antilles
Province / Region
Sint Maarten
Latitude
18.029584
Longitude
-63.047137
Timezone
America/Curacao
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Philipsburg?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Philipsburg is ANPHI.
Where is Port of Philipsburg located?
The Port of Philipsburg is located in Netherlands Antilles, Sint Maarten. Its coordinates are 18.0296°N, -63.0471°E.
What time zone is Port of Philipsburg in?
Port of Philipsburg operates in the America/Curacao time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height1 m
Wave Direction95°
Swell Height0.76 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Philipsburg.
Sint Eustatius (Antilles)
Netherlands • 4 km awayBlowing Point
Anguilla • 17 km awayRoad Bay
Anguilla • 21 km awayGustavia
Guadeloupe • 26 km away