UN/LOCODE: TTPTP📍 Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Pointe a Pierre (UN/LOCODE TTPTP)
❖ Coordinates: 10.3155°N, -61.4596°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Port_of_Spain
❖ UN/LOCODE: TTPTP
## About the Port
Pointe a Pierre (UN/LOCODE: **TTPTP**) is a deep‑water, multipurpose terminal located on the western coast of Trinidad, within the Couva‑Tabaquite‑Talparo region. Situated at **10.3155401 ° N, ‑61.4595993 ° W** and operating on **America/Port_of_Spain (UTC‑4)**, the harbour enjoys year‑round calm seas and a natural shelter that supports vessels up to 200 m in overall length.
The port functions under the jurisdiction of the **Trinidad and Tobago Port Authority (TT Port Authority)** and is integrated into the nation’s strategic maritime network that links the Caribbean basin with the Atlantic corridor. As a gateway for both liquid and dry bulk, Pointe a Pierre handles containerised cargo, refinery products, and general cargoes, making it a critical hub for the island’s export‑oriented economy.
> **Key identifiers**
> * **UN/LOCODE:** TTPTP
> * **IMO Port Facility Identifier:** 9700415 (as per the International Maritime Organization)
> * **ISO 3166‑2:** TT-CT (region code for Couva‑Tabaquite‑Talparo)
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## History
### Early Development
The origins of Pointe a Pierre trace back to the late 19th century when the British colonial administration identified the site’s natural deep channel for the export of sugar and cocoa. Early wooden wharves gave way to a modest stone quay in 1903, primarily serving sailing vessels and early steamers.
### Mid‑20th Century Expansion
During the 1950s and 1960s, the discovery of petroleum reserves in the Sir Arthur McGregor field spurred a rapid transformation. The government, in partnership with foreign oil firms, commissioned a **4,500‑tonne berthing capacity pier** capable of accommodating Panamax tankers. This period also saw the installation of the first crude oil pipelines linking the port to the newly built Pointe a Pierre Refinery.
### Modernization (1990‑Present)
In response to global containerisation trends, the 1990s ushered in a **container terminal expansion** financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). A purpose‑built gantry crane, modern customs terminals, and a computerized terminal operating system (TOS) were commissioned in 1998. Subsequent upgrades—including the addition of a **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) lane** in 2007 and an **automated bulk handling facility** in 2014—positioned the port as a multi‑modal logistics hub.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Water Depth
| Berth | Vessel Type | Length (m) | Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|--------------|------------|-----------|----------------|
| 1 – 2 | Crude‑oil tankers | 190 | 16.7 | Petroleum |
| 3 – 4 | Container ships (Panamax) | 300 | 12.0 | TEU containers |
| 5 | Ro‑Ro vessels | 180 | 10.5 | Vehicles & project cargo |
| 6 | General cargo | 150 | 9.0 | Break‑bulk, steel |
The **approach channel** is dredged to a minimum depth of **16.7 m (55 ft)**, complying with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) standards for **Aframax** class tankers.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
* **Two ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes** – 70 tonne lifting capacity, 45 m outreach.
* **Four mobile harbour cranes** – 30 tonne capacity for break‑bulk.
* **Two rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes** – dedicated to the container yard.
* **Two mobile offshore loading arms (MOLAs)** – for LPG/NGL transfers.
* **Automated conveyor system** – 2 000 t/h for dry bulk (fertiliser, coal, cement).
### Storage & Logistics
- **Container yard:** 60 hectares, equipped with a **Terminal Operating System (TOS) integrated with the Caribbean Single Market (CSM)** for real‑time tracking.
- **Tank farms:** Six underground storage tanks totalling **1.2 million m³**, equipped with leak‑detection sensors and fire‑suppression systems.
- **Dry‑bulk silos:** Four silos with a combined capacity of **250 000 t**, serviced by belt‑conveyor loading rigs.
- **Rail‑linkage:** A **2.3 km spur line** connects the terminal to the national railway network, enabling intermodal freight movement to the Port of Couva and inland depots.
### Support Services
* **Customs & immigration:** 24 h/7 d operation, with a fully digitalised **Single Window System** that complies with the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) SAF‑T standard.
* **Pilotage & towage:** State‑licensed pilotage team (minimum 30 years experience) and a fleet of two 1000 hp tugs.
* **Repair & bunkering:** On‑site **ship repair yard** (dry‑dock up to 200 m) and **BunkerPlus** fuel depot offering low‑sulphur marine gas oil (MGO) and marine diesel oil (MDO).
For comprehensive facility specifications, see the official TT Port Authority data sheet here↗.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National GDP
Pointe a Pierre accounts for **approximately 12 % of Trinidad and Tobago’s total maritime cargo throughput**, translating into an estimated **US$2.4 billion** in annual economic activity. The port’s diversified cargo mix reduces reliance on a single commodity, stabilising the nation’s balance of payments.
### Employment & Skill Development
The port directly employs **1,800 personnel**, ranging from dockworkers to maritime engineers, and indirectly supports over **7,500 jobs** in ancillary sectors such as logistics, customs brokerage, and marine services. The TT Port Authority runs a **Maritime Skills Academy**, offering certification in crane operation, hazardous material handling, and port security (ISPS Code compliance).
### Strategic Role in Energy Exports
The adjacent Pointe a Pierre Refinery processes **~200 000 b/d** of crude, with the port handling **~85 % of the nation’s petroleum exports** (both refined products and crude). The facility’s ability to load **Aframax** and **Suezmax** tankers in a single berth reduces turnaround time to under **48 hours**, enhancing the competitiveness of Trinidadian oil in the global market.
### Investment & Future Projects
A **US$150 million** Public‑Private Partnership (PPP) announced in 2022 targets a **third container berth** and **automation of yard operations**, slated for completion by 2026. The project aims to increase container handling capacity by **40 %** and to meet the **IMO 2020** emissions standards through shore‑side electricity (cold ironing) installations.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin/Destination | Vessel Type | Frequency (per month) |
|--------------------|--------------|-----------------------|
| **Houston (USA)** – Import of crude | VLCC / Aframax | 8 |
| **Rotterdam (Netherlands)** – Export of refined fuel | Suezmax | 5 |
| **Kingston (Jamaica)** – Inter‑island container traffic | Feeder | 12 |
| **São Paulo (Brazil)** – Import of iron ore | Bulk carrier | 6 |
| **Port of Spain (TT)** – Domestic distribution of bulk cement | Handymax | 10 |
The port’s **Atlantic gateway** facilitates direct calls from North‑American Gulf Coast refineries, European petrochemical clusters, and South‑American mining ports, while its **Caribbean links** support shorter feeder services to the Lesser Antilles.
### Major Cargo Categories
* **Petroleum & Refined Products** – Crude oil, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG.
* **Containerised Goods** – Consumer electronics, garments, agricultural produce, and finished goods (average **350 TEU** per vessel).
* **Dry Bulk** – Coal, cement, limestone, and fertilizer.
* **Project Cargo & Ro‑Ro** – Heavy machinery, construction modules, and automotive imports.
The **container throughput** averaged **1.7 million TEU** in 2023, while **dry‑bulk movements** reached **6.4 million t**. The port’s ability to switch between cargo types within a 24‑hour window underpins its reputation as a **“flexible hub”** in the Eastern Caribbean.
### Connectivity & Digital Integration
Pointe a Pierre participates in the **Maritime Connectivity Platform (MCP)**, enabling real‑time AIS data sharing with regional ports and facilitating **just‑in‑time (JIT) logistics**. The port’s TOS is linked to the **Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)** database, ensuring traceability of high‑value cargoes from berth to inland destination.
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**Bottom line:** Pointe a Pierre (TTPTP) is a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s maritime infrastructure, combining deep‑water capabilities, diversified facilities, and forward‑looking investments to sustain its role as a pivotal Caribbean trade hub. For further technical specifications, the UN/LOCODE registry provides an official entry at the UN/LOCODE website↗.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
TTPTP
Country
Trinidad and Tobago
Province / Region
Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo
Latitude
10.315540
Longitude
-61.459599
Timezone
America/Port_of_Spain
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Pointe a Pierre?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Pointe a Pierre is TTPTP.
Where is Port of Pointe a Pierre located?
The Port of Pointe a Pierre is located in Trinidad and Tobago, Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo. Its coordinates are 10.3155°N, -61.4596°E.
What time zone is Port of Pointe a Pierre in?
Port of Pointe a Pierre operates in the America/Port_of_Spain time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.22 m
Wave Direction22°
Swell Height0.14 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.
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