UN/LOCODE: VCKTN📍 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Port of Kingstown (UN/LOCODE VCKTN)
❖ Coordinates: 13.1300°N, -61.2200°E
❖ Time Zone: America/St_Vincent
❖ UN/LOCODE: VCKTN
## About the Port
Kingstown Port (UN/LOCODE: VCKTN) is the principal seaport of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, situated on the southwestern coast of the island of Saint Vincent in the parish of Saint George. The port lies at approximately 13°07′48″ N, 61°13′12″ W (13.13 ° N, ‑61.22 ° W) and operates within the America/St_Vincent timezone (UTC‑4). As the nation’s gateway for international maritime trade, Kingstown handles containerized cargo, bulk commodities, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) traffic, and cruise‑ship passengers. Its strategic location in the eastern Caribbean places it within 200 nm of major shipping lanes linking the Panama Canal, the United States Gulf Coast, and South American markets, making it a natural transshipment hub for the Lesser Antilles.
The port authority, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Port Authority (SVGPA), oversees all operations, maintenance, and development initiatives. Kingstown’s facilities are designed to accommodate vessels up to a maximum draft of 9.5 m and a length overall (LOA) of 180 m, with a controlling depth of approximately 10 m in the main berth area. The port’s natural harbor is sheltered by the rugged coastline of the island’s western flank, providing protection from the prevailing northeast trade winds and seasonal swells.
## History
The origins of Kingstown’s maritime activity date back to the early 18th century when the British established a colonial settlement at the site of present‑day Kingstown. Initially a modest anchorage for sailing vessels engaged in the sugar‑trade, the port expanded following the abolition of slavery and the rise of small‑scale agriculture. By the mid‑19th century, Kingstown had become a regular port of call for British Royal Navy ships conducting anti‑piracy patrols in the Caribbean.
Significant infrastructural upgrades began in the 1960s after Saint Vincent gained associated statehood within the West Indies Federation and later full independence in 1979. The SVGPA was created in 1983 to centralize port management, and a series of dredging projects increased the controlling depth from 6 m to the current 9.5 m, enabling the accommodation of larger container vessels. The construction of the Kingstown‑1 (what is now) the Kingstown Cruise Ship Terminal in 2005 marked a shift toward tourism‑oriented traffic, while the concurrent expansion of the container yard in 2010 reinforced the port’s role in regional trade.
In recent years, Kingstown has participated in the Caribbean Maritime Institute’s (CMI) Port Security and Efficiency Programme, adopting the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and implementing automated gate systems to improve cargo throughput and security compliance.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quay Length
Kingstown comprises three main berths:
| Berth | Designation | Length (m) | Maximum LOA (m) | Depth (m) | Primary Use |
|------|--------------|-----------|----------------|----------|-------------|
| Berth 1 | Main Container/General Cargo | 210 | 180 | 9.5 | Containerized, break‑bulk, Ro‑Ro |
| Berth 2 | Multi‑purpose/Bulk | 150 | 150 | 8.5 | Aggregates, cement, petroleum products |
| Berth 3 | Cruise Ship Terminal | 180 | 300 (LOA) | 9.0 | Passenger vessels, tenders |
The total quay length exceeds 540 m, with reinforced concrete fenders and bollards rated for vessels up to 50 kDWT. A dedicated Ro‑Ro ramp on Berth 1 facilitates the efficient handling of vehicles and trailers.
### Storage and Handling
- **Container Yard:** Approximately 4.5 ha, equipped with two 30‑tonne rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and four 40‑tonne reach stackers. Yard capacity stands at roughly 1,200 TEU ground slots, with provisions for reefer connections (30 kW each).
- **Bulk Storage:** Covered silos for cement (capacity 12,000 t) and open stockpiles for aggregates (up to 30,000 t). Liquid bulk is handled via a dedicated pipeline jetty linked to the island’s fuel storage farm at Lower Kingstown.
- **Warehousing:** Two transit sheds totaling 6,500 m² provide temporary storage for break‑bulk and project cargo, with customs‑bonded facilities available for temporary admission procedures.
### Ancillary Services
- **Pilotage:** Mandatory for vessels over 300 GT; pilot station operates from the SVGPA headquarters, with a typical boarding time of 15‑20 minutes.
- **Tug Assistance:** Two 2,200 kW ASD tugs are available 24 hours for berthing and un‑berthing maneuvers.
- **Marine Communications:** VHF channels 16 and 13, complemented by AIS base station and a Port Management Information System (PMIS) that integrates with the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) trade portal.
- **Security:** ISPS compliance maintained through CCTV surveillance, access control points, and regular drills conducted in coordination with the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.
## Economic Importance
Kingstown Port accounts for roughly 65 % of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ total merchandise trade by value and over 80 % of its containerized throughput. The port’s annual cargo volume averages 350,000 t, with container traffic contributing approximately 120,000 TEU per year. Key export commodities include:
- **Agricultural products:** Bananas, dasheen, and fresh vegetables (primarily destined for the United Kingdom and Caribbean Community markets).
- **Manufactured goods:** Garments, rum, and handicrafts.
- **Re‑exports:** Fuel and lubricants transshipped to neighboring islands.
Imports consist mainly of:
- **Fuel products:** Diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel for domestic consumption and aviation.
- **Foodstuffs:** Rice, wheat flour, and processed foods.
- **Construction materials:** Cement, steel, and timber, supporting ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Argyle International Airport expansion and road rehabilitation programs.
The port generates direct employment for over 350 personnel (including stevedores, administrative staff, and security) and induces additional indirect jobs in logistics, warehousing, and transportation sectors. Revenue derived from port dues, pilotage, tugage, and storage fees contributes an estimated USD 12 million annually to the national budget, representing about 4 % of GDP.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Kingstown’s maritime connectivity is anchored by several liner services that call on a weekly or bi‑weekly basis:
- **Caribbean Feeder Service (CFS):** Operated by companies such as Seaboard Marine and Tropical Shipping, linking Kingstown with Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana. This service primarily moves containerized consumer goods and agricultural exports.
- **Mediterranean‑Atlantic Loop:** Occasional calls by MSC and Maersk vessels en route from Europe to the Panama Canal, providing opportunities for transshipment of high‑value cargo (e.g., electronics, pharmaceuticals).
- **Cruise Shipping:** Seasonal itineraries from major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line) bring approximately 150,000 passengers annually, with the cruise terminal facilitating shore excursions to the island’s volcanic attractions and heritage sites.
### Major Cargo Flows
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (approx.) | Primary Origins/Destinations |
|------------|------------------------|------------------------------|
| Containers (dry) | 100,000 TEU | US East Coast, EU, CARICOM |
| Reefer Containers | 20,000 TEU | Bananas to UK; fish products to Canada |
| Bulk Cement | 45,000 t | Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana |
| Petroleum Products | 120,000 t | Venezuela (import), Barbados (re‑export) |
| Ro‑Ro Vehicles | 8,000 units | Japan, USA (used cars) |
| Cruise Passengers | 150,000 | North America, Europe |
The port’s depth and berth configuration allow it to handle Panamax‑sized vessels (up to 290 m LOA) on the container berth, while the cruise berth accommodates post‑Panamax liners. The proximity to the Vincentian Inter‑Island Ferry Terminal (located within the same harbor basin) further enhances intra‑archipelagic connectivity, facilitating the movement of passengers and cargo between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ southern islands (Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, and Union Island).
### Future Developments
The SVGPA’s 2024‑2029 Master Plan outlines:
1. **Deepening of Berth 1 to 11 m** to enable post‑Panamax container vessels (up to 14,000 TEU) without tidal restrictions.
2. **Installation of a shore‑to‑ship power ( cold ironing ) system** at the cruise terminal to reduce emissions during berth stays.
3. **Expansion of the container yard by 2 ha** with additional RTGs and automated stacking cranes, targeting a capacity increase to 2,000 TEU ground slots.
4. **Implementation of a blockchain‑based cargo tracking platform** aligned with the CARICOM Single Electronic Window initiative to streamline documentation.
These initiatives to capture a larger share of the growing intra‑Caribbean transshipment market while reinforcing its role as a critical logistics node for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ sustainable economic development.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VCKTN
Country
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Province / Region
Saint George
Latitude
13.130000
Longitude
-61.220000
Timezone
America/St_Vincent
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kingstown?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kingstown is VCKTN.
Where is Port of Kingstown located?
The Port of Kingstown is located in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint George. Its coordinates are 13.1300°N, -61.2200°E.
What time zone is Port of Kingstown in?
Port of Kingstown operates in the America/St_Vincent 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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