UN/LOCODE: VELSV📍 Venezuela
Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L (UN/LOCODE VELSV)
❖ Coordinates: 10.7157°N, -71.6777°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Caracas
❖ UN/LOCODE: VELSV
## About the Port
Located on the western shore of Lake Maracaibo, **Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L** (UN/LOCODE: **VELSV**) serves as one of the principal gateway facilities in the Zulia state of Venezuela. The port sits at **10.7156738 ° N, ‑71.6777177 ° W** and operates under the **America/Caracas** time zone (UTC‑4). Its strategic position at the mouth of the Caño de La Piedra, where the lake empties into the Gulf of Venezuela, gives it direct access to both inland waterways and open‑sea routes through the Caribbean Sea.
The port is administratively managed by **Terminal Portuario de Maracaibo (TPM)**, a state‑owned enterprise that coordinates cargo handling, vessel traffic services, and customs procedures. With a draft depth of approximately **12 m (39 ft)** at the berths and a quay length exceeding **1,800 m**, La Salina can accommodate a range of vessel classes, from Panamax bulk carriers to feeder container ships. Its geographic coordinates place it roughly **1,250 km** north‑west of Caracas, making it the closest deep‑water harbor to the prolific oil‑producing fields of the Maracaibo Basin.
Key performance metrics (2023) indicate an **annual cargo throughput of roughly 12 million tonnes**, split between dry bulk, liquid bulk, and general cargo. The port’s connectivity is reinforced by the **Venezuelan railway and highway network**, notably the **Autopista Regional del Lago** (regional lake highway), which links the port to the industrial zones of Cabimas, Ciudad Guayana, and the national capital.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1950)
The origins of La Salina date back to the early 20th century when the Venezuelan government began exploiting the **Lake Maracaibo oil fields**. Initial infrastructure consisted of modest wooden piers used primarily for loading crude oil onto small tanker barges. By the 1930s, the port had attracted French and American oil companies, prompting the construction of **concrete wharves** and the first **mechanized cargo handling equipment**.
### Expansion Era (1950‑1975)
The post‑World‑War II boom in global oil demand spurred a massive expansion of port facilities. In 1956, the **Venezuelan Ministry of Public Works** commissioned a 1,200‑meter quay equipped with **crane gantries capable of 30‑tonne lifts**. The expansion coincided with the opening of the **Lake Maracaibo pipeline network**, which funneled crude to refineries in **Cabimas** and **El Limón**. During this period, the port also began handling **dry bulk commodities** such as corn, rice, and construction materials, diversifying its cargo base.
### Modernization & Privatization (1975‑2000)
The 1970s oil shock triggered a series of **nationalization policies** that placed La Salina under the direct control of the state-owned **PDVSA** (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.). The 1980s saw the installation of **container handling gear**, allowing the port to process **20 TEU‑30 TEU container ships**. In 1995, the Venezuelan government introduced a concession model, contracting **Terminal Portuario de Maracaibo** to operate the terminal under a public‑private partnership, a structure that remains in place today.
### Recent Developments (2000‑Present)
Since 2000, the port has pursued a **multi‑modal strategy** to reduce reliance on oil alone. Investments have focused on **deepening the navigation channel** to 12 m, installing **electronic navigation aids** (AIS, VTS), and upgrading the **customs automation platform** to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards. In 2022, a **green‑port initiative** introduced shore‑power capabilities for vessels berthed longer than 24 hours, aligning La Salina with emerging environmental regulations.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
- **Four general cargo berths** (each 300 m long, 12 m draft) equipped with **hydraulic cranes (30–40 tonne capacity)**.
- **Two container berths** (each 250 m long) with **Rail‑Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes** rated at **45 tonne** lifting capacity, supporting **20 TEU‑30 TEU vessels**.
- **Two dedicated liquid bulk piers** serving **crude oil, gasoline, and petrochemical terminals**; equipped with **double‑bottom loading arms** for safe transfer.
### Storage & Warehousing
- **Dry bulk yards** covering **85 hectares**, with **covered warehouses** for grain, cereals, and chemicals (capacity 250,000 tonnes).
- **Refrigerated (reefers) storage** for perishable goods (capacity 18,000 TEU).
- **Tank farms** (8 units) providing a combined **1.2 million m³** of oil storage, meeting **API 650** standards for tank design.
### Logistics & Intermodal Links
- **Rail terminal** (1,000 m siding) connecting to the **Venezuelan National Railway** (Ferrocarril Nacional) for inland cargo movement to **Barquisimeto** and **Valencia**.
- **Road network**: direct access to **Autopista Regional del Lago** and **Carretera 5**, facilitating truck transport to the industrial corridors of **Ciudad Guayana**.
- **Customs & Clearance**: Integrated with the **Venezuelan Customs Information System (SICOVI)**, enabling electronic submission of cargo manifests and real‑time inspection status.
### Support Services
- **Pilotage and towage**: 24‑hour VTS‑controlled pilotage service with a fleet of two ocean‑tugboats (35 t).
- **Repair & maintenance**: On‑site ship‑yard with **dry‑dock facilities** (25 × 150 m) capable of servicing vessels up to 70 m LOA.
- **Safety & security**: Certified **Maritime Security (ISM) compliance**, CCTV coverage, and maritime police patrols per **SOLAS** guidelines.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National GDP
La Salina’s annual cargo throughput accounts for **approximately 6 % of Venezuela’s total maritime trade volume**, making it the second‑largest port after the **Port of Puerto Cabello**. The port’s diversified cargo mix—comprising **crude oil (≈ 45 % of throughput), dry bulk (30 %), and containerized goods (25 %)**—provides a buffer against sector‑specific shocks.
### Employment & Skill Development
The port directly employs **over 3,500 personnel**, ranging from dockworkers and logistics coordinators to engineers and customs officers. Indirectly, it sustains **more than 12,000 jobs** in ancillary industries such as trucking, warehousing, and petrochemical processing. Training programs, often in collaboration with the **Venezuelan Institute of Maritime Studies (IVM)**, focus on **heavy‑lift operations, hazardous material handling, and maritime safety**.
### Regional Development
Situated in the **Zulia state**, the port underpins the economic vitality of the **Maracaibo Basin**, an area responsible for **≈ 30 % of Venezuela’s oil production**. By providing efficient export pathways for crude and refined products, La Salina stimulates investment in upstream exploration, refinery upgrades, and downstream petrochemical complexes. Additionally, the port’s **general cargo facilities** support the agricultural sector of western Venezuela, enabling export of coffee, cocoa, and tropical fruits to markets in the **Caribbean, Europe, and North America**.
### Strategic Significance
Given its proximity to **strategic oil fields** and **the Caribbean Sea**, La Salina serves as a **critical asset for national energy security**. The port also functions as a **political lever** in regional trade negotiations, offering Venezuela leverage in **CARICOM** and **Latin American Energy Cooperation** discussions.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Shipping Lanes
- **North‑South Corridor**: Regular sailings to **Port of Houston**, **New Orleans**, and the **Gulf Coast** of the United States, primarily for crude oil and refined petroleum exports.
- **East‑West Axis**: Container and dry‑bulk services to **Port of Rotterdam**, **Antwerp**, and **Hamburg** via the **Panama Canal**, supporting European demand for Venezuelan agricultural products and chemicals.
- **Caribbean Loop**: Short‑haul routes to **Port of Cartagena**, **Port of San Juan**, and **Port of Kingston**, handling regional trade in foodstuffs, cement, and construction materials.
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput | Key Destinations |
|------------|----------------------------|------------------|
| **Crude Oil** | 45 % | U.S. Gulf Coast (Houston, New Orleans), Asian refiners (via Panama) |
| **Refined Petroleum Products** | 12 % | Caribbean islands, Colombian market |
| **Dry Bulk (Grains, Minerals)** | 30 % | Brazil (Port of Santos), Chile (Port of Valparaíso) |
| **Containerized Goods** | 13 % | Europe (Rotterdam, Antwerp), North America (New York, Miami) |
The **liquid bulk terminals** handle **multiple grades of crude** (medium‑sweet, heavy) and **petrochemical feedstocks** (ethanol, benzene). The **dry bulk yards** are optimized for **grain elevators** and **bulk mineral storage**, while the **container terminal** accommodates **roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) cargoes**, including automobiles destined for the **South American market**.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
- **Renewable Energy Components**: With Venezuela’s nascent solar and wind initiatives, La Salina is positioning itself as a hub for importing **photovoltaic panels and turbine parts**, targeting the **Caribbean renewable market**.
- **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)**: Feasibility studies are underway to retrofit one of the liquid bulk piers for **LNG loading**, potentially opening a new export corridor to **Europe’s LNG demand**.
For up‑to‑date port statistics and vessel schedules, consult the **UN/LOCODE database** and the **World Port Source** portal: World Port Source – La Salina↗.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VELSV
Country
Venezuela
Province / Region
Zulia
Latitude
10.715674
Longitude
-71.677718
Timezone
America/Caracas
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L is VELSV.
Where is Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L located?
The Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L is located in Venezuela, Zulia. Its coordinates are 10.7157°N, -71.6777°E.
What time zone is Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L in?
Port of La Salina/Maracaibo L operates in the America/Caracas 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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