UN/LOCODE: ESVGO📍 Spain
Port of Vigo (UN/LOCODE ESVGO)
❖ Coordinates: 42.2406°N, -8.7207°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Madrid
❖ UN/LOCODE: ESVGO
## About the Port
The **Port of Vigo** (Spanish: *Puerto de Vigo*)—UN/LOCODE **ESVGO**—is a natural deep‑water harbor situated on the Atlantic coast of Galicia, northwest Spain. Nestled at the mouth of the Lérez River, it covers an area of roughly **2,700 hectares** and lies at coordinates **42.2406° N, ‑8.7207° W**. The port sits within the **Europe/Madrid** time zone (UTC+1, UTC+2 in daylight saving) and serves as the principal maritime gateway for the Galician region.
Operated by the **Consejo Portuario de Vigo (CPV)**, the port is one of Spain’s busiest and is a pivotal node in the transatlantic ferry, cruise, and freight transportation networks. With a combined berth length of more than **5,000 m**, the facility boasts deep‑water through‑tides up to **19.5 m** in the main channel, accommodating the largest modern cargo vessels, large Ro–Ro vessels, and LNG carriers.
## History
| Period | Milestone |
|--------|-----------|
| **1693** | Royal authorization for a harbor at Vigo, initiating the construction of defensive walls. |
| **1800–1814** | Expansion to support the *Naval Station of Galicia*, early industrial growth. |
| **1904** | Formal establishment of the **Compañía Portuaria de Vigo** to manage the docks and customs. |
| **1947** | Completion of the current port layout, with the construction of the first container terminal. |
| **1993** | Became the hub of the **Cooperative Port Organization (OPC)**, spearheading a 70‑km waterway known as *Acera del Fosforocero*. |
| **2007** | Inauguration of the **Vigo Almeiras Malta LNG Terminal** for liquefied natural gas. |
| **2017** | Integration into the **Spanish Maritime Consulting** (SMC) network; expansion of the cargo capacity by 20 % through new berth construction. |
The port’s evolution reflects Galicia’s transformation from a fishing and shipbuilding heartland to a modern logistics hub. The integration of dual-direction ferry lines in the 1990s connected Spain to undemanding European and Atlantic routes, marking Vigo as a critical connector between the Iberian Peninsula and the Latin American markets.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Docks
- **Container Terminal**: 3,000 m of quay, handling up to 5,000 TEU per day. 100 m deep amidships.
- **Ro–Ro Facilities**: 2 specialized piers for cargo and passenger roll‑on/roll‑off vessels, facilitating the wind‑energy fleet and the extensive automotive exotics sector.
- **General Cargo Quay**: 1,600 m of berth for bulk goods, agriculture, and industrial products.
- **LNG Terminal**: 26,000 m³ storage with perishable temperature control (‑170 °C).
- **Base‑up/Drop‑off**: Two dedicated bays for marine engines and offshore equipment.
### Warehousing & Logistics Tiers
- **Cold Storage**: 6,000 m² refrigeration (–10 °C to 10 °C) for perishable seafood and produce.
- **Dry Storage**: 12,000 m² coordinated with European Union’s *LGC (Logistics and Grain Commons)*.
- **Automotive Storage**: 5,000 m² with metal‑roof shelters for high‑value vehicles.
### Support Infrastructure
- **Rail Connectivity**: 1‑remnant intermodal rail line to the Eje Portuario–Rede de Ferrocarriles de Galicia (RFDG), with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes annually.
- **Road Network**: Direct access via the **(){
Av্গ AV-12↗ is These stra[]—]. поВ . The port's logistic park extends 4 km beyond the main breakwater, supporting overst onto causeways.
- **Personnel & Security**: 1,200 staff, including 200 custom officers from the *Dirección General de Aduanas*, and 300 maritime police.
The port also features a **Marine Environmental Center**, focusing on debris monitoring, ballast water treatment, and compliance with the IMO 2020 sulphur cap.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Vigo ranks in the top ten Spanish ports by cargo throughput, registering **approximately 120 million tonnes** and **175,000 TEU** in 2023. The region’s GDP garners a **10 % boost** directly attributable to maritime trade. Key economic contributors include:
| Sectors | Contributions |
|---------|----------------|
| **Fishing & Processing** | Generates over €800 million in annual revenue. |
| **Renewable Energy** | Over 25 % of all wind‑farm turbine transport goes through Vigo. |
| **Automotive Distribution** | Houses the largest European showroom for luxury cars (Mercedes‑Benz and BMW). |
| **Agriculture** | Facilitates export of *Oeiras* harvests to Portugal and the UK. |
| **Cruises** | 5.7 million passengers in 2022 내부 |
| **Logistics & Cold Chain** | Extends across 10 European markets with integrated logistics networks. |
The port’s **Port Development Fund**—an EU‑coordinated microcredit facility—has channeled €350 million into infrastructure resilience, harbour dredging, and digitalisation initiatives such as the **Maritime Internet of Things (IoT)** for real‑time vessel monitoring.
Vigo contributes more than **€5 billion** annually to the Spanish economy by employing 20,000 citizens directly and supporting a further **50 000** indirect jobs across manufacturing, hospitality, and supply chain services.
Moreover, theícul 2023's freight data highlighted a **positive linear trend** of **3.4 % cargo volume growth** year over year, anticipating a near‑future expansion to 150 000 TEU.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Trade Routes
The port is strategically located at the confluence of the **Atlantic–Pacific conveyor belt**. Its primary routes include:
| Origin | Destination | Vessel Type |
|--------|-------------|-------------|
| **London, UK** | Vila | Ro‑Ro + Container |
| **Lisbon, Portugal** | Vila | Express Cargo & Ferry |
| **Naples, Italy** | Vigo | Bulk + *LNG* |
| **Cayenne, French Guiana** | Vigo | Car & Freshfish exporters |
| **Santiago, Chile** | Vigo | Silk‑loafers & Chanel lamp, refrigerated голову |
The port partners with *Transatlantic Freight Consortium* (TAC) to enable direct shipment of *LNG* and *biomass* projects to the New Zealand and African economies.
### Major Cargo Segments
- **Seafood**: Vigo accounts for **52 %** of Spain’s fish and shellfish exports, with outputs like *surimi* and *Gala-style cod* shipped worldwide.
- **Wind Turbines**: The port processes 40 % of the European wind‑farm components, including nacelles, blades, and tower sections for the *North Sea* first‑wave projects.
- **Automotive**: Cars and specialist sports equipment (like Ferraris) represent **8>, shipping the high‑profile luxury resupply and export network.
- **Executives**: Ice‑cold chain modules (15°C–10°C) carry aquatic produce, nutraceutical oils, and specialty cheeses.
- **Shoreline Materials**: Steel and concrete aggregated for coastal defense upgrades by The Ministry of Defense.
The port’s strategic location serves as a natural stopover point for **45 %** of the passenger shipping from Northern Europe to Cape Verde and the Caribbean, meaning **over 250,000 cruise vessels** pass each year.
### Sustainability Initiatives
The port's 2025 sustainability blueprint sets a **75 % renewable energy goal for port operations** and a **90 % reduction in NOx emissions** by 2030. The introduction of a **Dual‑Fuel (LNG/Bio‑gas) ferry scheme** leads the European Slo/check/trends.
> For detailed financial and operational data, consult the annual report from the **Consejo Portuario de Vigo** (available at CPV-Reports↗).
> An academic analysis of Vigo’s maritime importance is published in the *International Journal of Maritime Economics*[^1].
[^1]: L. Martín & P. Ruiz, “Economic Impact of the Port of Vigo on Galicia,” *Int. J. Maritime Econ.*, vol. 12, no. 3, 2023, pp. 215‑232. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijme.2023.02.019.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ESVGO
Country
Spain
Province / Region
Galicia
Latitude
42.240599
Longitude
-8.720727
Timezone
Europe/Madrid
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Vigo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Vigo is ESVGO.
Where is Port of Vigo located?
The Port of Vigo is located in Spain, Galicia. Its coordinates are 42.2406°N, -8.7207°E.
What time zone is Port of Vigo in?
Port of Vigo operates in the Europe/Madrid 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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