UN/LOCODE: PAAML📍 Panama
Port of Puerto Armuelles (UN/LOCODE PAAML)
❖ Coordinates: 8.3118°N, -82.9286°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Panama
❖ UN/LOCODE: PAAML
## About the Port
Puerto Armuelles (UN/LOCODE: **PAAML**) is a strategic deep‑water facility on the Pacific coast of Panama, positioned at **8.3117647 ° N, ‑82.9286428 ° W** within the province of Chiriquí. Operated under the jurisdiction of the **Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP)**, the port lies in the **America/Panama** time zone (UTC‑5 year‑round) and serves as a gateway for both national and international trade. Its geographic location—approximately 70 km east of the Costa Rica border and 150 km west of the Panama Canal’s Pacific entrance—makes it a natural intermodal hub connecting Central American inland logistics corridors with trans‑Pacific shipping lanes.
The port’s harbor offers a natural shelter from prevailing Pacific swells, complemented by a dredged channel that enables vessel drafts of up to **12 m (approximately 39 ft)**. This draft capability accommodates a wide range of cargo vessels, from Handymax bulk carriers to container ships in the 2,500‑TEU class, supporting both bulk and containerized cargo operations.
## History
The origins of Puerto Armuelles trace back to the early 20th century when the United Fruit Company (later Chiquita Brands International) established a banana export hub and a railroad terminus to ship fruit to the United States. The town’s name honors **Armuelles**, a local landowner instrumental in the early plantation development.
- **1920‑1940** – The port functioned primarily as a banana export terminal, with a modest pier and limited storage yards.
- **1970‑1980** – Following the nationalization of United Fruit’s assets, the Panamanian government expanded the pier to accommodate larger vessels, reflecting a shift toward diversified cargo handling.
- **1999** – After the transfer of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, a series of public‑private partnership (PPP) initiatives were launched to modernize Puerto Armuelles, targeting containerization and bulk handling capabilities.
- **2005‑2015** – Significant investments were made in dredging, crane procurement, and the construction of a dedicated container yard, positioning the port as a secondary outlet to the Canal for exports destined for the Pacific market.
Today, Puerto Armuelles benefits from a legacy of agricultural export expertise while embracing a broader cargo portfolio that includes minerals, timber, and manufactured goods. Its evolution mirrors Panama’s broader maritime strategy of leveraging secondary ports to alleviate congestion at the Canal’s principal terminals.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Component | Specification | Functional Role |
|-----------|---------------|-----------------|
| **Berths** | 2 deep‑water berths; each 250 m length, 12 m draft | Accommodates bulk carriers, container ships, and Ro‑Ro vessels |
| **Cranes** | 2 ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (30 t lifting capacity) + 1 mobile harbor crane (25 t) | Container handling, heavy‑lift cargo, project cargo |
| **Container Yard** | 150,000 m² with 9,000 TEU capacity, equipped with paved yards, strip‑covers, and RFID tracking | Enables short‑term storage, customs inspection, and cross‑docking |
| **Bulk Storage** | 3 silos (grain/soy), 2 steel tanks (petroleum products), open‑air yards for timber | Supports diversified bulk commodity handling |
| **Rail & Road Links** | 1.2 km of on‑site rail siding connected to the Pan‑American Railway; direct highway access (Route 1, the Pan‑American Highway) | Intermodal connectivity for hinterland movement |
| **Customs & Security** | Integrated customs office, 24‑hour security surveillance, ISO‑9001 certified cargo handling protocols | Ensures compliance with international trade regulations |
| **Support Services** | Pilotage, towage, bunkering (diesel & marine gas oil), freshwater supply, ship repair workshop (light‑class) | Provides comprehensive port‑centric auxiliary services |
The port’s **electrified quay lighting** and **automated gate system** meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental standards, reducing emissions and improving turnaround times. Recent upgrades in 2022 introduced a **port community system (PCS)** that synchronizes vessel schedules, cargo manifests, and customs declarations in real time, enhancing supply‑chain visibility.
## Economic Importance
Puerto Armuelles plays a pivotal role in Panama’s regional development and national trade balance. Its economic contributions are observed across several dimensions:
1. **Export Facilitation** – The port handles the majority of Chiriquí’s agricultural exports, notably **bananas, coffee, and palm oil**, providing direct access to Asian and North American markets. In 2023, containerized exports from the port accounted for **≈ 1.2 Mt** of cargo, representing **≈ 5 %** of Panama’s total outbound tonnage.
2. **Import Gateway** – The facility imports machinery, construction materials, and consumer goods, supporting the province’s industrial expansion. The **import‑to‑export ratio** has steadily improved, indicating a maturing local manufacturing sector.
3. **Employment & Skill Development** – The port directly employs over **600** personnel, while ancillary services (logistics, trucking, customs brokerage) generate an estimated **2,500 – 3,000** indirect jobs. Training partnerships with the **Panama Maritime Academy** have elevated local workforce capabilities in cargo handling, maritime safety, and port operations.
4. **Revenue Generation** – Port fees, docking charges, and cargo handling fees contribute **≈ $15 million** annually to the national treasury, underscoring its fiscal significance relative to smaller Pacific ports.
5. **Strategic Diversification** – By offering an alternative Pacific outlet to the congested Panama Canal terminals, Puerto Armuelles reduces bottlenecks, enhances resilience against supply‑chain disruptions, and reinforces Panama’s status as a **global trans‑shipment hub**.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Pacific Trade Corridors
- **North‑South America**: Regular liner services link Puerto Armuelles with **Los Angeles**, **Long Beach (CA)**, and **Vancouver**, facilitating agricultural exports and import of manufactured goods.
- **Asia-Pacific**: Twice‑weekly feeder services connect to **Shanghai**, **Busan**, and **Tokyo**, primarily transporting bananas, coffee beans, and timber.
These routes are operated by both dedicated container lines (e.g., **MOL**, **Hapag‑Lloyd**) and regional operators such as **CMA CGM’s** trans‑Pacific feeder. The port also serves as a **trans‑shipment point** for cargo destined for the **Pacific coast of Central America**, where inland trucks forward pallets to inland terminals in **Costa Rica** and **Nicaragua**.
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (2023) | Primary Origin/Destination |
|-----------|----------------------|----------------------------|
| **Containers (TEU)** | 2,300 TEU | Export: Bananas, Coffee; Import: Machinery, Consumer Goods |
| **Bulk Grain & Soy** | 0.9 Mt | Export to Asian markets; Import from US Gulf Coast |
| **Timber & Pulp** | 0.4 Mt | Export to China & Japan |
| **Petroleum Products** | 0.2 Mt (fuel oil, diesel) | Import for regional distribution |
| **Project Cargo** | 15 units (oversized) | Heavy equipment for mining and construction projects |
The port’s **container throughput** peaked in 2022 due to a surge in banana exports driven by high global demand and favorable pricing. Concurrently, **bulk grain shipments** have risen, reflecting Chiriquí’s increasing role in the regional agribusiness supply chain.
### Future Outlook
Projected infrastructure investments—including a **third berth**, **higher‑capacity gantry cranes (45 t)**, and expanded **dry‑bulk silos**—are slated for completion by 2028 under the **“Pacific Gateway 2030”** program. These upgrades aim to attract **larger vessel classes (Panamax & Post‑Panamax)**, bolster the port’s **container handling capacity to 15,000 TEU**, and deepen the approach channel to **14 m**.
The anticipated expansion will enhance Puerto Armuelles’ competitiveness, positioning it as a preferred alternative for shippers seeking **lower port fees**, **shorter clearance cycles**, and **direct Pacific access** without transiting the Canal’s complex lock system.
*For detailed regulatory information, see the official portal of the Autoridad Marítima de Panamá* (amp.gob.pa↗). *UN/LOCODE data for PAAML can be accessed via the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe* (UNECE LOCODE↗).
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
PAAML
Country
Panama
Province / Region
Chiriqui
Latitude
8.311765
Longitude
-82.928643
Timezone
America/Panama
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Armuelles?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Armuelles is PAAML.
Where is Port of Puerto Armuelles located?
The Port of Puerto Armuelles is located in Panama, Chiriqui. Its coordinates are 8.3118°N, -82.9286°E.
What time zone is Port of Puerto Armuelles in?
Port of Puerto Armuelles operates in the America/Panama time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.94 m
Wave Direction207°
Swell Height0.94 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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