UN/LOCODE: VEGUT📍 Venezuela
Port of Guanta (UN/LOCODE VEGUT)
❖ Coordinates: 10.2344°N, -64.5918°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Caracas
❖ UN/LOCODE: VEGUT
## About the Port
Guanta Port, designated by UN/LOCODE VEGUT, represents a strategically significant maritime facility positioned along Venezuela's northeastern coastline in the Anzoátegui state. Situated at coordinates 10.2343685° Latitude, -64.591805° Longitude, this port operates within the America/Caracas timezone, serving as a critical gateway for both commercial and industrial maritime operations in the region.
The port's geographical positioning places it approximately 130 nautical miles northeast of Caracas, the national capital, providing direct access to the Orinoco River basin and connecting to Venezuela's vast hydrocarbon resources. Guanta's harbor characteristics offer natural shelter from prevailing trade winds, with a maintained navigation channel depth of 12 meters, accommodating vessels up to 15,000 deadweight tons. The port infrastructure includes dedicated oil terminal facilities, general cargo handling areas, and supporting logistics zones that facilitate efficient cargo operations for the eastern Venezuelan maritime region.
## History
Established during Venezuela's early 20th-century maritime development phase, Guanta Port initially served as a modest fishing and coastal trading station. The facility underwent substantial expansion in the 1960s, coinciding with Venezuela's oil boom period, when it was developed as a dedicated crude oil export terminal to support the burgeoning petroleum industry centered in the Orinoco Belt.
The port's transformation into a major hydrocarbon logistics hub accelerated through the 1970s and 1980s, with the construction of specialized offshore loading facilities and pipeline connections to key refineries. During this period, Guanta became instrumental in Venezuela's role as a leading crude oil exporter to North American and European markets. The facility sustained continuous operational improvements through the 1990s, incorporating modern loading gantry systems and automated berth management protocols.
Political and economic fluctuations in Venezuela since 2000 have impacted port activity levels, though Guanta maintains its status as a regional maritime asset. Recent infrastructure rehabilitation efforts have focused on restoring operational capacity and updating safety management systems to meet contemporary international maritime standards.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Guanta Port encompasses approximately 85 hectares of developed waterfront area, featuring five dedicated oil tanker berths equipped with advanced marine loading arms capable of handling vessels up to 200,000 barrels deadweight. The terminal infrastructure includes double-hulled storage tanks with a combined capacity exceeding 2.5 million barrels, pipeline connections to offshore production fields, and comprehensive utilities systems supporting continuous operation.
The general cargo terminal provides 45,000 square meters of covered warehousing space, equipped with modern crane systems capable of handling 1,200 tonnes per hour. Bulk cargo handling facilities feature specialized equipment for coal, grain, and mineral commodities, with direct rail connections to inland transportation networks. The port maintains a 24-hour operational regime supported by dedicated pilotage services, tug assistance, and emergency response capabilities certified under IMO standards.
Navigation aids include modern GPS approach systems, automated radar installations, and comprehensive lighting systems maintaining ICAO-compliant visibility standards. The port authority operates a dedicated vessel traffic service (VTS) system coordinating all maritime traffic within the Approaches to Guanta, ensuring safe passage through the busy shipping lane connecting the Caribbean Sea to the Orinoco River estuary.
## Economic Importance
Guanta Port serves as Venezuela's primary maritime outlet for crude oil exports originating from the eastern Llanos and Orinoco heavy oil formations. Daily throughput averages 400,000 barrels of crude oil, representing approximately 35% of Venezuela's total liquid petroleum export volume. The facility's strategic importance extends to supporting domestic refining distribution networks, with refined product import capabilities facilitating supply to regional markets.
Beyond hydrocarbons, Guanta functions as a critical bulk cargo handling center for agricultural commodities including cocoa, coffee, and tropical minerals. The port's general cargo operations support Venezuela's import requirements for manufactured goods, construction materials, and consumer products, establishing it as an essential node in the country's supply chain logistics.
Employment generation represents another significant economic contribution, directly employing over 1,200 maritime workers while supporting an additional 3,500 indirect jobs across transportation, logistics, and service sectors. The port's annual economic impact on the Anzoátegui region exceeds US$1.2 billion, making it one of the most economically significant single maritime facilities in the country.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Guanta Port operates as a key node in transatlantic crude oil trade routes, connecting Venezuelan supply sources with major refining centers in New Orleans, Rotterdam, and Northwest European ports. The facility maintains regular shuttle services with tankers ranging from Suezmax to VLCC classifications, utilizing dedicated marine approaches that accommodate large vessel configurations while maintaining environmental protection protocols.
Major bulk cargo trade routes originate from Guanta's general cargo terminals, serving Caribbean islands, United States Gulf Coast ports, and Latin American markets. Key commodity flows include coal imports for power generation, grain exports to processing centers, and mineral shipments to industrial consumers. The port's container handling operations, though limited compared to larger Caribbean hubs, facilitate specialized cargo movements requiring secure storage and handling protocols.
Seasonal variations influence cargo composition, with increased agricultural export volumes during northern hemisphere harvest periods and elevated import activity during peak demand seasons. The port maintains contingency planning for hurricane season operations, including weather monitoring systems and emergency response protocols ensuring continuity of critical cargo movements throughout the Caribbean wet season.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VEGUT
Country
Venezuela
Province / Region
Anzoategui
Latitude
10.234369
Longitude
-64.591805
Timezone
America/Caracas
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Guanta?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Guanta is VEGUT.
Where is Port of Guanta located?
The Port of Guanta is located in Venezuela, Anzoategui. Its coordinates are 10.2344°N, -64.5918°E.
What time zone is Port of Guanta in?
Port of Guanta operates in the America/Caracas time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.56 m
Wave Direction29°
Swell Height0.56 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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