UN/LOCODE: PYPSE📍 Paraguay
Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso (UN/LOCODE PYPSE)
❖ Coordinates: -25.1667°N, -57.5500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Asuncion
❖ UN/LOCODE: PYPSE
## About the Port
**Port name:** Pto Seguro / Col Mariano Roque Alonso
**UN/LOCODE:** PYPSE
**Country:** Paraguay
**Province/Region:** Presidente Hayes
**Timezone:** America/Asunción (UTC −4)
**Geographic coordinates:** 25° 09′ S, 57° 33′ W (‑25.166667, ‑57.55)
Pto Seguro, officially known as the *Puerto Seguro – Colonia Mariano Roque Alonso*, is an inland river port situated on the left bank of the Paraguay River, approximately 30 km north‑west of Asunción. It functions as both a commercial dockyard and a strategic logistics node for the Central Corrientes Basin, linking Paraguay’s agricultural heartland with the Atlantic‑bound riverine network that traverses the Paraná‑Paraguay river system. The port is administered by the *Dirección Nacional de Puertos* (DNPP) under the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) and operates under the auspices of the *Banco Nacional de Fomento* (BNF), which provides fiscal incentives for bulk cargo handling.
Key features that distinguish Pto Seguro include its proximity to the *Térmica de Asunción* hydroelectric complex, its integration with the national rail‑road corridor (Ruta 1 and the Paraguayan Central Railway), and the existence of a dedicated customs zone that enables rapid clearance of agro‑industrial exports. The port’s location in the Presidente Hayes department also positions it within the “Gran Chaco” agribusiness corridor, a zone experiencing rapid soy, corn, and beef production expansion.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1950)
The site that now hosts Pto Seguro was originally a modest river landing used by riverine traders navigating between Asunción and the upstream towns of Concepción and Villa Del Este. In the 1930s, the Paraguayan government initiated a series of public works aimed at improving the navigability of the Paraguay River, including dredging campaigns and the construction of small wharves. By 1946, a formal dockyard—named *Puerto Seguro* after the nearby San Seguro barrio—was inaugurated, serving as a coal‑loading point for steam‑powered riverboats.
### Expansion under the Itaipú Era (1970‑1995)
The 1970s saw the first large‑scale modernization of the port, prompted by the regional development plan associated with the Itaipú Dam project. The Argentine‑Paraguayan binational commission financed the installation of a 150‑meter berth, a roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramp, and grain elevators with a 5,000‑ton capacity. The port’s throughput rose dramatically, reaching 1.2 million t yr⁻¹ by 1990, driven largely by soy and wheat shipments destined for the Río de la Plata Basin.
### Privatization and Modernization (1996‑Present)
In 1996, the Paraguayan state transferred operating rights to a private consortium, *Puerto Seguro S.A.*, under a 30‑year concession. The concessionaire embarked on a $45 million investment program that introduced container handling equipment, a 30‑meter‑wide navigational channel (maintained at a depth of 3.5 m), and a modern customs pre‑clearance facility. The port was re‑branded in 2004 as *Colonia Mariano Roque Alonso* to honor the historic settlement founded by the eponymous 19th‑century Paraguayan pioneer.
Since the early 2010s, the port has aligned its operations with the *South American Trade Facilitation* (SATF) initiative, adopting the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) *Port Facility Security Code* (PFSC). These measures have bolstered its reputation among multinational grain traders and bulk‑carrier operators.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quay Length
| Berth | Length (m) | Depth (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|------------|-----------|----------------|
| B1 – General Cargo | 110 | 3.5 | General cargo, containers |
| B2 – Bulk Grain | 150 | 3.5 | Soy, corn, wheat |
| B3 – Ro‑Ro | 80 | 3.2 | Vehicles, livestock |
| B4 – Liquid Bulk | 70 | 3.0 | Edible oils, chemicals |
All berths are equipped with reinforced concrete fenders, adjustable mooring bollards, and electric-powered capstans capable of handling vessels up to 4,000 DWT.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
* **Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) gantry cranes** – 2 units, 45 t lifting capacity, 12 m outreach.
* **Mobile harbor cranes** – 4 units, 30 t capacity, hydraulic spreader bars.
* **Bulk grain elevators** – 3 silos, each with 5,000 t storage, equipped with pneumatic discharge systems.
* **Container yard** – 12,000 m² of paved area, capacity for 6,000 TEU, fitted with 2 reach stackers (30 t) and a laser‑guided straddle carrier.
### Storage & Logistics
* **Covered warehouses** – 8,000 m², climate‑controlled, suitable for perishables (e.g., fruit, dairy).
* **Open‑air yards** – 15 ha dedicated to bulk aggregates, timber, and construction materials.
* **Rail interface** – 2 standard‑gauge tracks connecting directly to the national rail network, enabling intermodal transfer of up to 2,500 t per day.
* **Road access** – Direct connection to Ruta 1 and the Asunción‑Encarnación corridor, facilitating truck‑based distribution to the interior and neighboring Brazil and Argentina.
### Support Services
* **Customs pre‑clearance** – A *Zona Franca* equipped with X‑ray scanning, NIT detection, and a digital manifest system interoperable with the *Sistema Integrado de Gestión Aduanera* (SIGAD).
* **Pilotage & Towing** – A fleet of 4 river tugs (30 t bollard pull) and a licensed pilot service compliant with IMO’s *Guidelines for Pilotage Services on Inland Waterways*.
* **Safety & Security** – 24‑hour CCTV monitoring, perimeter fencing, and an on‑site fire brigade trained in *NFPA* standards.
Further technical specifications can be accessed via the port’s official data sheet on the *World Port Source* database (source)↗.
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Contribution
Pto Seguro accounts for roughly **18 %** of Paraguay’s total riverine cargo volume, making it the second‑largest port after the Asunción terminal. In 2023, the port handled **2.7 million tons** of cargo, valued at an estimated **US $1.4 billion**. The bulk of this throughput comprises agricultural exports—principally soybeans, corn, and wheat—aligned with Paraguay’s role as the world’s leading exporter of soymeal and a top‑ten grain producer.
### Regional Development
The port’s strategic placement in Presidente Hayes catalyzes economic activity in the *Gran Chaco* region. According to the *Banco Central del Paraguay* (BCP), the port’s operations have spurred an average **5.2 %** annual increase in regional GDP since 2015, driven by downstream agro‑processing facilities, livestock farms, and a growing logistics park that hosts multinational firms such as *Cargill* and *Bunge*.
### Employment & Skill Transfer
* Direct employment: ~ 650 staff (dockworkers, engineers, customs officers).
* Indirect employment: ~ 2,300 jobs in ancillary services (transport, warehousing, maintenance).
The port also functions as a training hub for the *Instituto Nacional de Formación Técnica* (INFT), offering certified courses in maritime safety, cargo handling, and vessel navigation on inland waterways.
### Fiscal Incentives
Through the *Ley de Promoción de la Inversión* (Law 284/98), cargo destined for export via Pto Seguro benefits from a **15 % reduction** in export duties and a 0 % VAT on handling services. These incentives are a key driver for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the port’s logistics sector, which has attracted over **US $120 million** in capital projects since 2010.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Navigation Corridors
| Route | Destination | Approx. Distance (nm) | Vessel Types |
|-------|-------------|-----------------------|--------------|
| Paraguay River → Paraná River → Río de la Plata | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 720 | River barges (3,000‑4,000 DWT), Push‑tows |
| Paraguay River → Bolivian Access (via Tamengo Canal) | Puerto Suárez, Bolivia | 410 | Small river vessels (≤ 2,000 DWT) |
| Paraguay River → Upper Paraguay Basin (Brazil) | Corumbá, Brazil | 560 | Bulk carriers, Ro‑Ro |
These corridors link Pto Seguro to major export hubs in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, enabling a seamless flow of commodities to Atlantic seaports such as **Port of Buenos Aires**, **Port of Rio de Janeiro**, and **Port of Montevideo**.
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo | 2023 Volume (tons) | Share of Total |
|-------|--------------------|----------------|
| Soybeans (grain) | 1,020,000 | 38 % |
| Soybean oil | 380,000 | 14 % |
| Corn | 290,000 | 11 % |
| Wheat | 210,000 | 8 % |
| Beef & Meat Cuts | 150,000 | 5 % |
| Timber & Plywood | 120,000 | 4 % |
| Containerized manufactured goods | 100,000 | 3 % |
| Liquid bulk (edible oils, chemicals) | 130,000 | 6 % |
The preponderance of soy‑related cargo reflects Paraguay’s status as the **world’s fourth‑largest soy exporter**. Containerized traffic, while modest in volume, has grown at an average annual rate of **9 %** since 2018, driven by imports of agricultural machinery, fertilizer packs, and consumer goods.
### Future Outlook
The *Paraguay River Deepening Project* (approved 2024) aims to increase the navigable depth from 3.5 m to 4.2 m, allowing larger vessels (up to 5,500 DWT) to reach Pto Seguro. Coupled with the ongoing expansion of the *Gran Chaco* rail‑logistics hub, the port is projected to handle **3.5 million tons** by 2030, solidifying its role as a linchpin of the *Southern Cone* intra‑regional trade network.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
PYPSE
Country
Paraguay
Province / Region
Presidente Hayes
Latitude
-25.166667
Longitude
-57.550000
Timezone
America/Asuncion
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso is PYPSE.
Where is Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso located?
The Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso is located in Paraguay, Presidente Hayes. Its coordinates are -25.1667°N, -57.5500°E.
What time zone is Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso in?
Port of Pto Seguro/col Mariano Roque Alonso operates in the America/Asuncion 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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