UN/LOCODE: PYTER📍 Paraguay
Port of Terport (San Antonio) (UN/LOCODE PYTER)
❖ Coordinates: -25.3800°N, -57.6300°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Asuncion
❖ UN/LOCODE: PYTER
## About the Port
**Terport (San Antonio)** – UN/LOCODE **PYTER** – is a strategic inland waterway terminal situated on the **Paraguay River** at latitude ‑25.38 °S, longitude ‑57.63 °W, within the Central Department of Paraguay. The port lies approximately 30 km northeast of Asunción, the nation’s capital, and operates under the **America/Asuncion** time zone (UTC‑4). As a **river‑seaport hybrid**, Terport serves as a logistical gateway for bulk agricultural commodities, containerised goods, and regional transit cargoes linking the interior of South America to the Atlantic via the Río de la Plata system.
The facility is administered by **Administración Nacional de Puertos (ANP)** and conforms to international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – the latter responsible for the UN/LOCODE registry. Its geographic position at the confluence of the Paraguay and the tributary **Lago San Antonio** enables year‑round navigation for vessels up to 2,300 gross tonnage (GT) during the high‑water season, while a seasonal draft limitation of 2.5 m is imposed in low‑water periods.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1950)
The site of Terport originated as a modest river landing in the early 20th century, serving local riverine transport between Asunción and the burgeoning agricultural settlements of the Chaco plains. By the 1930s, the Paraguayan government recognized the strategic value of a formal port infrastructure to stimulate export growth, prompting the construction of a stone quay and basic warehousing.
### Consolidation and Modernization (1950‑1990)
During the post‑World II era, Paraguay’s import‑export balance shifted toward soybeans, corn, and beef. In response, the Ministry of Public Works commissioned a series of upgrades at Terport, including deepening of the navigation channel to 2.5 m, installation of a modern **hydro‑mechanical lock** system, and the erection of a 150‑meter timber‑pier capable of handling both **tug‑barges** and **self‑propelled barges**. By 1978, the port had achieved **CFS (Container Freight Station)** status, enabling container handling for the first time.
### Recent Advancements (1990‑Present)
The 1990s saw the implementation of **digital customs clearance** and the integration of the port into Paraguay’s **National Integrated Logistics Network (NILN)**. In 2014, a public‑private partnership (PPP) funded the construction of a 12‑acre **cold‑storage complex** and a **grain elevator** with a 30,000‑tonne capacity, positioning Terport as a pivotal hub for perishable goods. Recent investments have also introduced **satellite‑based vessel traffic services (VTS)**, improving navigational safety on the heavily trafficked Paraguay River corridor.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quay
- **2 main berths** (150 m and 100 m length) equipped with **rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes** (up to 25 t lift).
- **4 ancillary mooring points** for smaller craft, including fishing vessels and patrol boats.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **2 mobile container cranes** (30 t capacity) enabling handling of 20‑foot and 40‑foot ISO containers.
- **Bulk loaders** with a discharge rate of 1,200 t/h for grain, soy, and mineral concentrates.
- **Roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) ramps** supporting the movement of trucks and trailers directly onto barges.
### Storage & Logistics
- **15 hectares of open‑yard storage**, segmented into **general cargo**, **bulk**, and **hazardous materials** zones.
- **Cold‑chain facilities** (refrigerated warehouses) with a combined capacity of 12,000 m³, critical for meat, dairy, and fruit exports.
- **Automated container yard (ACY)** employing **RFID‑enabled pallets** for real‑time inventory tracking.
### Support Services
- **Customs and quarantine stations** staffed by the Dirección Nacional de Aduanas (DNA), providing 24‑hour clearance.
- **Vessel traffic service (VTS)** and **river pilotage** operated by the Dirección de Puertos y Navegación.
- **Fueling stations** offering low‑sulfur marine diesel (0.1 % S) and diesel‑oil for inland vessels.
The port’s infrastructure aligns with the **International Port Community Systems (IPCS)** framework, facilitating seamless data exchange with shippers, carriers, and terminal operators.
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## Economic Importance
Terport is a cornerstone of Paraguay’s **agribusiness export chain**, handling an estimated **2.8 million tonnes** of cargo annually (≈ 15 % of national outbound freight). The port’s primary economic contributions include:
| Metric | Approx. Value |
|--------|----------------|
| Annual cargo throughput | 2.8 Mt |
| Direct employment | 1,250 jobs |
| Indirect employment (logistics, services) | 4,800 jobs |
| Export value (2022) | US $1.9 bn |
| Import value (2022) | US $0.6 bn |
The **grain elevator** and **cold‑storage** facilities have enabled Paraguay to diversify its export basket, adding **fresh beef** and **processed soy** to traditionally bulk‑commodity shipments. Moreover, Terport’s inland location reduces overland freight costs by up to **30 %** compared with the alternative rail corridor through Brazil, enhancing price competitiveness for Paraguayan producers.
The port is also a vital **regional hub** for neighboring landlocked nations, notably Bolivia and northern Argentina, which rely on the Paraguay River for their **land‑bridge** logistics. This trans‑regional role attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) in downstream processing facilities, fostering a **value‑added manufacturing ecosystem** around the port’s perimeter.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Corridors
1. **South‑America Riverine Corridor** – Terport ↔ **Buenos Aires** (via the Paraná and Río de la Plata). Vessels traverse ~1,400 km, connecting to Atlantic shipping lanes.
2. **Land‑Bridge Route** – Terport ↔ **Santa Cruz de la Sierra** (Bolivia) via a multimodal rail‑road network, facilitating export of **Lithium‑bearing ore** and **cocoa**.
3. **Northern Argentine Corridor** – Terport ↔ **Formosa** and **Corrientes** provinces for the import of **refined petroleum products** and **machinery**.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
- **Soybeans & Soybean Meal** – ~1.1 Mt/year, loaded onto **bauxite‑type bulk carriers**.
- **Corn** – ~650 kt, primarily exported to the European Union under the **EU‑Paraguay Agricultural Partnership**.
- **Beef (Fresh & Frozen)** – ~200 kt, requiring the port’s **cold‑chain** infrastructure.
- **Timber & Pulp** – ~180 kt, shipped in **open‑deck barges** to pulp‑processing plants in Brazil.
- **Import of Fertilizers** – ~75 kt of **urea** and **ammonium nitrate**, essential for the country’s intensive row‑crop agriculture.
The port’s **container traffic** is modest (≈ 45,000 TEU per annum) but growing, driven by increased demand for **perishable food products** and **manufactured goods** from Asia. Terport’s strategic alignment with the **Mercosur** trade bloc enhances its role in intra‑regional trade, while the upcoming **Paraguay River Deepening Project** (projected completion 2028) is expected to accommodate larger **river‑seagoing vessels** (up to 3,500 GT), expanding cargo volumes by an estimated **20 %**.
For further technical specifications on UN/LOCODE and river port classifications, consult the **UN/LOCODE database** (UN/LOCODE PYTER↗) and the **World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index** (World Bank LPI↗).
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
PYTER
Country
Paraguay
Province / Region
Central
Latitude
-25.380000
Longitude
-57.630000
Timezone
America/Asuncion
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Terport (San Antonio)?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Terport (San Antonio) is PYTER.
Where is Port of Terport (San Antonio) located?
The Port of Terport (San Antonio) is located in Paraguay, Central. Its coordinates are -25.3800°N, -57.6300°E.
What time zone is Port of Terport (San Antonio) in?
Port of Terport (San Antonio) 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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