UN/LOCODE: VEPBL📍 Venezuela
Port of Puerto Cabello (UN/LOCODE VEPBL)
❖ Coordinates: 10.4698°N, -68.0299°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Caracas
❖ UN/LOCODE: VEPBL
## About the Port
Puerto Cabello, designated by the United Nations LOCODE **VEPBL**, stands as the preeminent maritime gateway of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Situated in the state of Carabobo along the central Caribbean coastline, the port is geographically anchored at coordinates 10.4697685° N latitude and 68.0298654° W longitude. Operating within the America/Caracas timezone (UTC-4), the port functions as a critical nodal point connecting Venezuela’s highly industrialized central region to global shipping networks. Mandatory pilotage services govern vessel entry via the northern breakwater, ensuring safe transit through the dredged channel and mitigating navigational risk in confined waters.
The port complex is naturally protected by an extensive bay, historically characterized by dense mangrove roots that inspired its name—translating loosely to "Port of Hairs" from early Spanish explorers. Today, Puerto Cabello is widely recognized as Venezuela’s largest and most strategic port by total cargo throughput, handling the majority of the nation’s containerized and general cargo traffic. Its deep-water capabilities and sheltered anchorage provide a superior alternative to the often-congested approaches of La Guaira.
## History
The strategic significance of Puerto Cabello dates back to pre-Columbian eras when indigenous Carib tribes utilized the sheltered lagoon for canoe landings. Following the Spanish colonization of the Venezuelan coast, the settlement was formally established as a logistical and naval base in the mid-16th century, serving as a fortified hub within the Spanish Main to defend against pirate incursions and facilitate colonial trade. Throughout the colonial period, it facilitated the outflow of colonial wealth under the Casa de Contratación system.
In the 18th century, the construction of massive fortifications, including the Castillo de San Felipe and the Fortín Solano, cemented its military and commercial prominence during the Venezuelan War of Independence. The modern era began in the mid-20th century with substantial state investment to mechanize the commercial port. The establishment of the Instituto Autónomo Puerto de Puerto Cabello (IAPC) formalized its administration in 1960, paving the way for dedicated berths and container yards.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing and Drafts
Puerto Cabello features a multi-terminal layout capable of accommodating Post-Panamax and Panamax class vessels. The main approach channel is dredged to a maintained depth of approximately 13 to 15 meters, allowing vessels with drafts up to 14 meters to berth safely. The port comprises over 4,000 meters of quay length, distributed across specialized terminals including the Container Terminal, the Multi-Purpose Terminal, and the Bulk and Liquid Bulk piers. Annual container handling capacity exceeds 1.5 million TEU.
### Storage and Handling Equipment
The port boasts extensive paved storage yards exceeding 800,000 square meters, including bonded warehouses and temperature-controlled facilities for perishable goods. Container handling is executed via ship-to-shore gantry cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), and heavy-lift mobile harbor cranes. The liquid bulk infrastructure includes dedicated pipelines and tank farms facilitating the transshipment of crude oil derivatives and chemicals.
### Intermodal Connectivity
Puerto Cabello is seamlessly integrated with Venezuela’s terrestrial transport matrix. The port is linked directly to the Valencia-Puerto Cabello highway, providing rapid access to the industrial corridor of Valencia. Furthermore, historic rail links connect the port to the interior, supporting the efficient evacuation of bulk commodities and reducing highway congestion.
## Economic Importance
### National Trade Gateway
As the primary customs district for Venezuela, Puerto Cabello handles an estimated 60% to 70% of the country’s total maritime import volume, including essential goods such as food staples, pharmaceuticals, and industrial raw materials. The designation of the Zona Franca de Puerto Cabello (Free Trade Zone) further amplifies its economic relevance, attracting foreign direct investment and fostering value-added logistics services.
### Industrial Hinterland Support
The port’s proximity to Carabobo’s dense industrial hinterland—spanning automotive assembly, textiles, and food processing—renders it indispensable for export competitiveness. Local industries rely on the port’s turnaround times to maintain just-in-time manufacturing protocols, underscoring its role as the economic lung of the nation.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Major Trade Lanes
Puerto Cabello serves as a vital link in the Atlantic maritime corridor. Major liner services connect the port to Rotterdam, Algeciras, and Hamburg in Europe, as well as the United States East Coast (notably Houston and New York/New Jersey). Intra-regional Caribbean feeder services and trans-Pacific routes via the Panama Canal further integrate VEPBL into the global fleet deployment matrix. For authoritative vessel tracking and port call data, operators frequently consult MarineTraffic port information↗ to monitor real-time congestion and berth availability.
### Commodity Profile
The cargo matrix at Puerto Cabello is diversified. Imports are dominated by containerized manufactured goods, machinery, wheat, and chemical precursors. Export flows consist predominantly of petrochemicals, refined fuels, iron ore concentrates from the Guayana region, and high-value agricultural commodities such as cocoa and coffee. According to UNCTAD’s maritime transport statistics↗, ports like Puerto Cabello remain central to South American dry bulk and general cargo dynamics despite fluctuating regional trade volumes. The port’s continuous modernization efforts, coupled with its geostrategic coordinates on the Caribbean rim, ensure that Puerto Cabello retains its status as the maritime cornerstone of Venezuelan commerce and a key asset in the broader Latin American logistics architecture.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VEPBL
Country
Venezuela
Province / Region
Carabobo
Latitude
10.469769
Longitude
-68.029865
Timezone
America/Caracas
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Cabello?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Cabello is VEPBL.
Where is Port of Puerto Cabello located?
The Port of Puerto Cabello is located in Venezuela, Carabobo. Its coordinates are 10.4698°N, -68.0299°E.
What time zone is Port of Puerto Cabello in?
Port of Puerto Cabello operates in the America/Caracas time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
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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 Puerto Cabello.
La Guaira
Venezuela • 122 km awayPuerto Sucre
Venezuela • 172 km awayBonaire
Netherlands Antilles • 194 km awayCuracao
Netherlands Antilles • 206 km away