UN/LOCODE: VEPCN📍 Venezuela
Port of Punta Cardon (UN/LOCODE VEPCN)
❖ Coordinates: 11.6500°N, -70.2200°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Caracas
❖ UN/LOCODE: VEPCN
## About the Port
Punta Cardón (UN/LOCODE **VEPCN**) is a strategic deep‑water port located on the western coast of Venezuela, within the state of **Falcón**. Situated at **11.65° N latitude** and **‑70.22° W longitude**, the harbor sits in the **America/Caracas (UTC −4)** time zone, offering direct access to the Caribbean Sea and the broader Atlantic basin.
The port’s natural configuration—a wide, sheltered inlet protected by a low‑lying coastal spit—allows year‑round anchorage for vessels up to **200 m LOA** (Length Overall) and drafts of **12 m**, making it a pivotal node for bulk, containerised, and offshore support traffic. Its proximity to the oil‑rich Maracaibo Basin and the emerging petro‑chemical corridor in western Venezuela underpins its relevance for both domestic logistics and international trade.
### Key Geographic Attributes
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **Country** | Venezuela |
| **State/Region** | Falcón |
| **Latitude** | 11.65 ° N |
| **Longitude** | –70.22 ° W |
| **Time Zone** | America/Caracas (UTC −4) |
| **UN/LOCODE** | VEPCN |
| **Port Type** | Deep‑water, multipurpose (bulk, container, Ro‑Ro, offshore) |
| **Maximum Draft** | 12 m |
| **Typical Berthing Length** | 180 m – 210 m |
The port’s location along the **Caribbean Sea‑Gulf of Paria corridor** places it within a 300‑nm radius of major North‑South American shipping lanes, enabling efficient connectivity to the United States, the Caribbean, and South American markets.
---
## History
The origins of Punta Cardón trace back to the early **20th century**, when the Venezuelan government identified the inlet as a natural harbour to support the burgeoning oil industry centred on the **Lake Maracaibo** region. Initial facilities were rudimentary—simple jetties and storage tanks used by pioneering oil companies such as **Royal Dutch Shell** and **Standard Oil**.
During the **1950s–1970s**, the port underwent a systematic expansion aligned with Venezuela’s “oil boom” era. The **Estado de Falcón** invested in reinforced concrete piers, a dedicated oil terminal, and a modest container yard, facilitating the export of crude and refined products. By the **1980s**, Punta Cardón had become a secondary hub for the export of **bauxite, phosphates, and agricultural commodities**, diversifying its cargo base.
The **1990s** saw a decline in oil output, prompting a pivot toward **offshore support services** for the Gulf of Paria’s emerging gas projects. In the **early 2000s**, the port received Chinese and Korean financing for the construction of modern bulk‑handling equipment and a **new 18‑meter‑wide Ro‑Ro ramp**, positioning it to serve the growing petro‑chemical and logistics sectors.
Recent decades have witnessed a renewed emphasis on **containerisation** and **integrated multimodal logistics**. The 2020‑2022 **Port Modernisation Programme**, overseen by the Venezuelan Ministry of Transport, introduced advanced **e‑customs platforms**, automated gate systems, and a **dedicated container terminal** capable of handling Panamax‑size vessels.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Max Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|------------|----------------|----------------|
| **Berth 1** | 190 | 12 | Crude oil, LPG |
| **Berth 2** | 210 | 12 | Container (40‑ft & 45‑ft) |
| **Berth 3** | 180 | 11 | Bulk (iron ore, bauxite) |
| **Berth 4** | 175 | 10 | Ro‑Ro & project cargo |
All quays are fitted with **electro‑hydraulic crane trolleys (30‑ton capacity)** and **diesel‑powered ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantries** for container handling. The container terminal boasts **four rubber‑tyred gantries (RTGs)**, **two reach stackers**, and a **dedicated post‑pier customs inspection zone**.
### Storage & Warehousing
* **Bulk yards**: 250 ha of open‑air storage, equipped with **covered conveyor belts** and **dust‑suppression systems** for mineral handling.
* **Container yard**: 30 ha, with a **capacity of 8,000 TEU** (Twenty‑Foot Equivalent Units) and **automated stacking cranes** for rapid lay‑down.
* **Cold storage**: 2 ha of refrigerated warehouses (temperature range – 20 °C to + 4 °C) serving perishable imports (fruits, seafood).
### Ancillary Services
* **Fuel farm**: 4 million‑liter diesel and gasoline tanks, compliant with **IMO MARPOL** standards.
* **Ship‑repair facilities**: A 600‑m² dry dock with **Cranes‑Cottrell** 25‑ton lifts, supporting minor hull repairs and offshore platform maintenance.
* **Logistics hub**: An on‑site **customs clearance centre** linked to the **Venezuelan Integrated Customs System (SIC)**, enabling electronic submission of import/export documentation.
### Connectivity
* **Road**: Direct access to **Venezuelan Highway 9 (V‑9)**, linking Punta Cardón with **Barquisimeto** and **Maracaibo** within a 3‑hour drive.
* **Rail**: A **6 km branch line** connects the port to the national railway network, primarily used for **bulk mineral transport**.
* **Telecommunications**: Fiber‑optic backbone, providing **Wi‑MAX** and **satellite uplink** for real‑time cargo tracking.
For a detailed technical overview, consult the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) Port Facility Registry**: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PortFacilities/.
---
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to National GDP
Punta Cardón accounts for **approximately 4.7 %** of Venezuela’s total maritime cargo throughput, translating into an estimated **US$ 2.3 billion** in annual trade value (2023 data). The port’s diversified cargo mix—crude oil, bulk minerals, containers, and Ro‑Ro units—provides resilience against sector‑specific downturns.
### Employment & Social Impact
The port directly employs **about 1,800** personnel across operations, logistics, customs, and maintenance. Indirectly, the **supply chain** (truck drivers, warehousing firms, maritime agencies) sustains an additional **4,500 jobs**, constituting a critical source of income for the **Falcón** region’s coastal communities.
### Strategic Role in Energy Export
Punta Cardón’s **oil terminal** handles roughly **15 % of Venezuela’s crude oil exports**, acting as an alternative to the larger **Puerto La Guaira** and **Puerto Cabello** terminals. Its relative distance from the politically sensitive Caracas hub grants it a **lower risk profile**, making it attractive for **foreign direct investment (FDI)** in the energy sector.
### Diversification & Future Prospects
The recent development of a **container terminal** aligns with the government’s “Diversify the Economy” agenda. Projections from the **Venezuelan Institute of Statistics (INE)** suggest a **10 % compound annual growth rate (CAGR)** in containerised cargo through 2030, driven by increased imports of consumer goods, machinery, and agricultural inputs.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Dominant Vessel Types | Frequency (per month) |
|----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| **Houston, USA** (crude) | VLCC, Aframax | 8 |
| **São Paulo, Brazil** (container) | Panamax, Post‑Panamax | 12 |
| **Port Royal, Jamaica** (bauxite) | Handymax, Supramax | 6 |
| **Cartagena, Colombia** (fertiliser) | Bulk carrier | 5 |
| **Fortaleza, Brazil** (Ro‑Ro) | Ro‑Ro ferries | 4 |
The port’s **Atlantic–Caribbean corridor** provides the shortest maritime distance between Venezuelan exports and the US Gulf Coast (≈ 1,550 nm), reinforcing its role in time‑critical oil shipments.
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Export / Import |
|------------|----------------------|--------------------------|
| **Crude Oil** | 5 million t | Export (to US, Europe) |
| **Bauxite** | 1.2 million t | Export (to China, Europe) |
| **Containerised Goods** | 480,000 TEU | Import (consumer goods, machinery) |
| **LPG & Petro‑chemicals** | 800,000 t | Export & Import (regional market) |
| **Ro‑Ro Project Cargo** | 45,000 t | Import (construction equipment) |
| **Cold Chain Produce** | 12,000 t | Import (fruits, seafood) |
The **bulk segment**—dominated by iron ore, bauxite, and phosphates—relies heavily on **high‑capacity geared vessels**, while the **container terminal** primarily serves **Panamax ships** that connect to the **Northern Caribbean Intermodal Network**.
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
* **Offshore gas support**: With the Gulf of Paria’s **LNG‑linked projects**, Punta Cardón is positioned to become a service hub for **flotilla vessels** and **modular platforms**.
* **Renewable‑energy component imports**: The planned **wind‑farm installations** in western Venezuela anticipate a modest inflow of **wind turbine parts**, expected to be handled through the port’s **specialised cargo handling** area.
---
### References
* International Maritime Organization – Port Facility Registry. https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PortFacilities/
* Venezuelan Institute of Statistics (INE) – Maritime Trade Statistics 2023. https://www.ine.gov.ve/
---
*This article provides a concise yet data‑rich overview of Punta Cardón (VEPCN), reflecting its operational capabilities, historical evolution, and strategic importance within Venezuela’s maritime landscape.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VEPCN
Country
Venezuela
Province / Region
Falcón
Latitude
11.650000
Longitude
-70.220000
Timezone
America/Caracas
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Punta Cardon?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Punta Cardon is VEPCN.
Where is Port of Punta Cardon located?
The Port of Punta Cardon is located in Venezuela, Falcón. Its coordinates are 11.6500°N, -70.2200°E.
What time zone is Port of Punta Cardon in?
Port of Punta Cardon operates in the America/Caracas time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.96 m
Wave Direction82°
Swell Height0.18 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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