UN/LOCODE: SRPBM📍 Suriname
Port of Paramaribo (UN/LOCODE SRPBM)
❖ Coordinates: 5.8520°N, -55.2038°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Paramaribo
❖ UN/LOCODE: SRPBM
## About the Port
### Overview
Paramaribo (UN/LOCODE: **SRPBM**) is the principal maritime gateway of Suriname, situated on the west bank of the Suriname River at the point where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The port’s coordinates (5.8520355 N, ‑55.2038278 W) place it within the Paramaribo District, the country’s political and economic heart. Its strategic position provides a natural depth of up to 12 meters at the berth line, allowing Panamax‑class vessels to call without extensive dredging. The facility operates under the jurisdiction of the Paramaribo District and benefits from a single‑time‑zone advantage (America/Paramaribo), facilitating synchronous scheduling with major North‑American and Caribbean shipping lanes.
### Location & Connectivity
The port is accessed via the Suriname River, which is navigable for bulk carriers and container ships up to 250 meters in length. Road links connect the terminal to the city’s highway network (A10 and A1), while a nearby river port facility at **Buitenplaats** offers secondary loading capabilities. Proximity to **Julius Nyerere International Airport** (≈ 15 km) enables seamless multimodal integration for time‑sensitive cargo. For authoritative geographic reference, see the UN/LOCODE database entry: UN/LOCODE Search – SRPBM↗.
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## History
### Early Development
Port activity in Paramaribo dates back to the 17th century when Dutch colonial administrators established a small quay to export sugar and timber. The early infrastructure consisted of modest wooden piers limited to coastal schooners.
### Modernization Era
In the 1970s, Suriname’s independence spurred governmental investment in maritime capacity. A major expansion program (1978‑1985) introduced reinforced concrete seawalls, a graving dock, and a 700 meter breakwater, enabling the handling of larger cargo vessels. The 1990s saw the adoption of containerization, prompting the construction of a dedicated container terminal with a 35 000 TEU yard.
### Recent Enhancements
From 2015 onward, the port authority implemented a series of upgrades: automated gate systems, RFID‑based yard management, and an upgraded pilot‑boat fleet with dynamic positioning capability. These enhancements reduced vessel turnaround time by an average of 18 percent, positioning Paramaribo as a competitive hub for Caribbean‑South American trade corridors.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Cargo Handling
The terminal accommodates bulk commodities (bauxite, alumina, rice) and general cargo. Dedicated bulk handling equipment includes a 30 tonne grab crane, a conveyor system spanning 1.2 km, and a mechanized loading system for rice shipments. Containerized operations employ six ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes (STS) with a 1.5 MW power supply, supporting simultaneous loading of up to four vessels.
### Berths & Draft
Paramaribo maintains three berths ranging from 250 m to 350 m in length, each capable of handling vessels with a maximum draft of 11.5 m. The berths are equipped with electric shore power (up to 400 kVA) and hydraulic cargo derricks for specialized cargoes such as heavy machinery and project freight.
### Supporting Infrastructure
Supporting facilities include a 4 MW diesel‑generated power plant, a 5 ML drinking‑water reservoir, and a fire‑suppression system compliant with SOLAS regulations. The yard is fenced with a 3 km security perimeter, integrated with CCTV and motion‑sensor technology. Waste reception points meet EU MARPOL Annex V standards, allowing for proper disposal of oily waste and ballast water.
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## Economic Importance
### Role in National Economy
Port activity contributes roughly 12 percent of Suriname’s GDP and directly employs nearly 1 500 workers across logistics, customs, and operational functions. The terminal handles approximately 3.2 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, with bulk commodities accounting for 55 percent, containers 30 percent, and project cargo 15 percent.
### Connectivity
Paramaribo is linked to regional hubs such as **Georgetown (Guyana)**, **Kralendijk (Bonaire)**, and **Bridgetown (Barbados)** via scheduled liner services operated by Caribbean Shipping Lines and MSC Caribbean. Inter‑regional trade benefits from connections to major Atlantic gateways, including **Miami**, **New York**, and **Hamburg**, through feeder services and alliances with the World Shipping Council.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
The dominant trade corridors involve **bauxite export** to European refineries (primarily the Netherlands and Germany), **agricultural exports** of rice and bananas to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) bloc, and **imported manufactured goods** destined for the domestic market. Seasonal spikes in container traffic correspond with the sugar‑cane harvest (October–March) and the export of timber products (April–September).
### Major Cargo Categories
- **Bauxite & Alumina:** Exported primarily to European smelters; average export volume 1.1 Mt/year.
- **Rice:** Primarily destined for Caribbean islands and North‑American specialty markets; tariffs exempt under CARICOM agreements.
- **Containers:** Growing demand for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and building materials; container dwell time reduced to 48 hours after automation implementation.
- **Project Cargo:** Includes offshore oil‑field equipment and renewable‑energy components, requiring specialized lift‑on/lift‑off (LoLo) facilities.
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The continued evolution of Paramaribo’s maritime infrastructure, combined with its strategic location on the Suriname River and robust multimodal connections, underscores its pivotal role in facilitating trade across the Caribbean‑South American corridor. Stakeholders seeking real‑time data on vessel schedules, cargo manifests, or regulatory updates are encouraged to consult the official port authority portal: Suriname Port Authority↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SRPBM
Country
Suriname
Province / Region
Paramaribo District
Latitude
5.852036
Longitude
-55.203828
Timezone
America/Paramaribo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Paramaribo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Paramaribo is SRPBM.
Where is Port of Paramaribo located?
The Port of Paramaribo is located in Suriname, Paramaribo District. Its coordinates are 5.8520°N, -55.2038°E.
What time zone is Port of Paramaribo in?
Port of Paramaribo operates in the America/Paramaribo time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.54 m
Wave Direction26°
Swell Height0.5 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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Paramaribo.
Cayenne
French Guiana • 336 km awayGeorgetown
Guyana • 343 km awayDegrad des Cannes
French Guiana • 343 km awaySan Fernando
Trinidad and Tobago • 846 km away