UN/LOCODE: VEMTV📍 Venezuela
Port of Matanzas (UN/LOCODE VEMTV)
❖ Coordinates: 8.3167°N, -62.8000°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Caracas
❖ UN/LOCODE: VEMTV
## About the Port
**Port Matanzas (UN/LOCODE: VEMTV)** is a strategically placed maritime gateway on the Orinoco River basin, serving the Bolívar state of southeastern Venezuela. Situated at **8° 19′ N, 62° 48′ W** and operating on **America/Caracas (UTC −04:00)**, the port lies at the confluence of inland waterways and the Atlantic trade corridor. Although modest in size compared to Venezuela’s coastal giants such as Puerto Cabello and Maracaibo, Matanzas functions as a critical multimodal hub for bulk commodities, livestock, and containerized goods moving between the interior mineral region and the Caribbean Sea.
The port’s jurisdiction falls under the **National Institute of Ports (INAP)**, which oversees its navigation safety, customs clearance, and tariff regime. Its designation as a **“dry bulk” and “container” facility** in the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) underscores its dual capability to handle both loose cargoes (iron ore, cement, agricultural products) and standardized containers, positioning it as a flexible node in Venezuela’s logistics network.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1960)
Port Matanzas traces its origins to the early 20th‑century push to exploit the mineral wealth of the Guayana Shield. Initial infrastructure consisted of a simple river pier used by French and British mining companies to ship bauxite and later iron ore downstream to the Caribbean coast. By the 1940s, the Venezuelan government, recognizing the strategic value of riverine transport, began upgrading the pier to accommodate steam‑powered barges and later diesel‑tug fleets.
### Expansion Under the Bolivarian Era (1970‑1990)
The discovery of large **bauxite deposits** in the Bolívar region spurred a state‑led expansion program in the 1970s. A concrete quay, a 1,200‑meter‑long slipway, and the first **hydraulic crane** were installed, allowing the port to handle up to **3 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa)** of ore. The period also saw the installation of a small rail‑link connecting the port to the nearby mining camp of **El Callao**, enhancing intermodal connectivity.
### Post‑Sanctions Modernisation (2000‑2023)
Following the tightening of international sanctions in the early 2000s, Venezuela placed renewed emphasis on self‑sufficiency in logistics. In 2011, a **container terminal** was commissioned, featuring a 30‑meter‑high gantry crane and a 5‑hectare container yard. The terminal’s inauguration coincided with the adoption of the **Venezuelan Navigation Code (Código de Navegación Venezolano)**, which standardized vessel‑size limits and safety protocols for riverine ports.
### Current Status (2024‑Present)
Today, Port Matanzas operates under a **public‑private partnership** model. The government retains ownership of the quay and navigation aids, while a consortium of Venezuelan logistics firms manages day‑to‑day terminal operations. Ongoing dredging projects aim to deepen the approach channel from **7.5 m** to **9.0 m**, a move that will accommodate larger ocean‑going feeder vessels and improve the port’s competitiveness within the Caribbean basin.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Deep‑Water Quay and Berths
- **Quay Length:** 1,200 m, reinforced with pre‑stressed concrete.
- **Berth Capacity:** Up to **12 000 GT** vessels (typical feeder container ships).
- **Draft:** Currently **7.5 m**, with scheduled dredging to reach **9.0 m** by 2026.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity | Primary Use |
|----------|----------|--------------|
| 30‑t Hydraulic Gantry Crane | 30 t lift, 40 m outreach | Container handling, heavy machinery |
| 2 × 35‑t Mobile Harbor Cranes | 35 t lift | Bulk cargo (cement, grain) |
| 4 × Reach Stackers | 45 t lift | Container yard operations |
| 2 × Belt Conveyors (25 m) | 700 t/h | Coal and ore transshipment |
### Storage Areas
- **Open‑air bulk yards:** 45 ha, equipped with dust‑suppression systems for coal and mineral exports.
- **Covered warehouses:** 12 ha, climate‑controlled for perishables and pharmaceuticals.
- **Container Yard:** 5 ha, with 3,500 TEU (twenty‑foot equivalent unit) capacity, featuring a fenced perimeter and 24‑hour CCTV surveillance.
### Support Services
- **Customs and Inspection:** Integrated under the Venezuelan Customs Authority (SENIAT), enabling a **single‑window clearance** for import/export documentation.
- **Ship‑to‑Shore (STS) Services:** Diesel fuel (IFO 380), fresh water, and bunkering facilities with a 2,000 m³ storage capacity.
- **Logistics Connectivity:** A 15 km paved road linking the port to the **Autopista Regional Bolívar**, and a **600‑m rail spur** connecting to the national rail network for mineral transport.
### Navigation Aids
- **Differential GPS (DGPS) beacon** synchronized with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** standards.
- **LED lighthouse** (85 ft) providing a flashing white light every 10 seconds, essential for night navigation on the Orinoco River.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Development
Port Matanzas acts as the **primary outbound gateway for Bolívar’s mining sector**, which accounts for roughly **12 % of Venezuela’s total export earnings**. The port’s capacity to handle both bulk ore and containerized goods stimulates downstream industries, including steel fabrication, cement production, and agro‑processing.
### Employment
- **Direct Jobs:** Approximately 1,200 positions in operations, crane handling, and customs.
- **Indirect Jobs:** An estimated **4,500** roles across logistics, transport, and ancillary services such as warehousing, catering, and security.
### Revenue Generation
Annual tariff collections exceed **US$18 million**, with **container handling fees** representing 38 % of total revenue. The **bulk cargo surcharge**—applied primarily to iron ore and bauxite shipments—contributes another 42 % of fiscal receipts. The remaining income stems from **storage fees**, **fuel sales**, and **pilotage services**.
### Strategic Role in National Trade
Given the **geopolitical sensitivities** surrounding Venezuela’s oil exports, diversification of export commodities is a policy priority. Port Matanzas, by virtue of its inland location and riverine access, provides a **low‑risk alternative** for non‑oil bulk commodities, helping mitigate exposure to maritime blockades that affect coastal ports. Moreover, the port’s proximity to **Guyana’s borders** positions it as a potential hub for cross‑border trade under the **Caribbean Community (CARICOM)** framework.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Routes
| Origin/Destination | Vessel Type | Approx. Transit Time |
|--------------------|-------------|----------------------|
| **Caracas (Maracaibo Bay)** → Matanzas | River feeder (river‑compatible) | 4–5 days |
| **Port of Willemstad, Curaçao** → Matanzas | Feeder container ship (6,000 DWT) | 2 days |
| **Port of Santos, Brazil** → Matanzas | Bulk carrier (10,000 DWT) | 7 days |
| **Port of New Orleans, USA** → Matanzas | Panamax bulk carrier (70,000 DWT) (via Caribbean) | 10 days |
These routes integrate the port into the **Greater Caribbean Trade Network**, linking it to the Atlantic‑based hubs of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and the northern coast of South America.
### Major Cargo Categories
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume (2023) | Primary Export/Import |
|------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
| **Iron Ore / Bauxite** | 2.4 Mt | Export to Europe (via Curaçao) |
| **Cement & Construction Materials** | 0.9 Mt | Domestic distribution |
| **Agricultural Produce (rice, corn)** | 0.7 Mt | Import from Brazil, export to interior states |
| **Containers (general cargo)** | 350 k TEU | Mixed import/export; electronics, pharmaceuticals |
| **Livestock & Meat** | 120 k t | Export to neighboring Colombia and Guyana |
| **Petroleum Products (diesel, gasoline)** | 0.5 Mt | Import for regional fueling stations |
The **container segment** has shown a **12 % annual growth rate** since 2018, driven by increased demand for consumer goods and the rise of e‑commerce logistics within Venezuela’s interior markets.
### Future Outlook
The ongoing channel deepening and the planned installation of a **third gantry crane** (anticipated 2025) are expected to raise the port’s handling capacity to **5 Mtpa** for bulk commodities and **800 k TEU** for containers. This expansion aligns with the Venezuelan government’s **“Plan de Desarrollo Portuario 2025‑2030,”** which aims to improve the country’s logistics ranking in the **World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index**.
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*External References:*
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – UN/LOCODE database: <https://www.unece.org/cefact/unlocode/>
- Port Technology International – Global port infrastructure insights: <https://www.porttechnology.org/>
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VEMTV
Country
Venezuela
Province / Region
Bolívar
Latitude
8.316667
Longitude
-62.800000
Timezone
America/Caracas
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Matanzas?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Matanzas is VEMTV.
Where is Port of Matanzas located?
The Port of Matanzas is located in Venezuela, Bolívar. Its coordinates are 8.3167°N, -62.8000°E.
What time zone is Port of Matanzas in?
Port of Matanzas 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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