UN/LOCODE: VEPZO📍 Venezuela
Port of Puerto Ordaz (UN/LOCODE VEPZO)
❖ Coordinates: 8.2751°N, -62.7677°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Caracas
❖ UN/LOCODE: VEPZO
## About the Port
Puerto Ordaz (UN/LOCODE: **VEPZO**) is a strategically situated inland port on the left bank of the Orinoco River in the state of Bolívar, Venezuela. Positioned at **8.275092 ° N, ‑62.767663 ° W** and operating on **America/Caracas (UTC‑4)**, the terminal serves as the primary maritime gateway for the vast mineral‑rich interior of the Guayana Region. Its riverine setting allows oceangoing vessels of up to **10,000 DWT** to navigate the lower Orinoco, making it one of the deepest inland ports in South America.
The port’s jurisdiction falls under the **Corporación Venezolana de la Industria del Petróleo (CVP)**, which coordinates river traffic, customs clearance, and security in conjunction with the Venezuelan Ministry of Transport. Puerto Ordaz functions as a multimodal hub, linking river barge traffic, rail lines, and the extensive highway network that connects the Orinoco basin to the Caribbean coast via the **Caminos del Orinoco**.
Key attributes (SEO‑rich):
- **UN/LOCODE VEPZO** – recognized in the UN/LOCODE database for global trade.
- **Location:** Bolívar, Venezuela – the heart of the country’s iron‑ore and hydro‑electric projects.
- **Time zone:** America/Caracas (UTC‑4).
- **Coordinates:** 8.275092 N, ‑62.767663 W – enabling precise AIS tracking and navigation planning.
These characteristics position Puerto Ordaz as a pivotal node in the **South American intra‑regional logistics chain** and as an export conduit for commodities destined for North America, Europe, and Asia.
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## History
The origins of Puerto Ordaz trace back to the early 1940s when the Venezuelan government initiated the **Orinoco Iron‑Ore Belt Development Project**. The settlement grew around a modest river pier used to ship iron ore from the nearby **Sierra de San Carlos** mines.
- **1948–1955:** Construction of the first reinforced concrete quay enabled the loading of 5,000‑ton bulk carriers.
- **1960s:** The discovery of the **Guri hydroelectric complex** spurred extensive infrastructure upgrades, including a dedicated rail spur that linked the port to the national railway network.
- **1975:** The establishment of **PDVSA’s** Orinoco‑based oil terminals expanded the port’s cargo mix to include petroleum products, positioning it as a dual‑purpose hub.
- **1990s–2000s:** Privatization attempts and subsequent state re‑nationalization under President Hugo Chávez led to the development of a modern container yard, dredging programs, and the installation of a 12‑meter tide‑gate to secure the riverine basin against seasonal surges.
Throughout its evolution, the port has weathered geopolitical shifts, sanctions, and fluctuating commodity prices, yet it remains a linchpin for Venezuela’s export economy.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
- **3️⃣ General cargo berths** – each 250 m long, with a maximum draft of **12 m** (tidal) allowing Panamax‑class vessels.
- **1️⃣ Dedicated oil terminal** – equipped with two jetty arms, each supporting **8,000 DWT** tankers.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Quantity | Capacity |
|----------|----------|----------|
| Mobile Cranes (30‑t) | 4 | 30 t |
| Gantry Cranes (20‑t) | 2 | 20 t |
| Reach Stackers | 6 | 45 t |
| Forklifts (3‑t) | 12 | 3 t |
| Barge‑Launch Facilities | 3 | Up to 5,000 t |
### Storage & Warehousing
- **Bulk terminals** for iron ore, bauxite, and coal: total covered storage of **450,000 t**.
- **Tank farms**: 9,000 m³ for gasoline, 12,000 m³ for diesel, and 4,000 m³ for LPG.
- **Container yard**: 12‑hectare area with a capacity of **150,000 TEU**, featuring a **30‑day dwell** turnover.
### Logistics & Connectivity
- **Rail link:** 1,200 km of standard gauge track connecting to the **Caroní‑Ciudad Guayana** rail corridor, facilitating bulk cargo movement to inland mines.
- **Road network:** Direct access to the **Carretera 10** (Venezuela’s main east‑west artery), supporting over **4,500 truck movements** per month.
- **Customs & Border Services:** On‑site customs office compliant with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** and **World Customs Organization (WCO)** standards, enabling expedited clearance for both containerized and bulk shipments.
A recent **dredging project (2022‑2024)** deepened the navigation channel to 12 m, increasing the port’s attractiveness for larger cargo vessels and reinforcing compliance with the **International Port Facility Security (ISPS)** Code.
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## Economic Importance
Puerto Ordaz is the economic engine of the Guayana Region, accounting for **≈ 30 % of Venezuela’s total export tonnage**. Its primary revenue streams include:
1. **Mineral Exports** – Iron ore from the **El Chacao** and **Cerro Dolor** mines contributes roughly **1.8 Mt** annually, supporting global steel producers in the United States, Europe, and East Asia.
2. **Hydro‑electric Power** – The adjacent Guri Dam supplies **≈ 10 GW** to the national grid, with excess electricity exported via undersea cables to the Caribbean market.
3. **Petroleum Products** – Refined fuels processed at the **PDVSA** complex are shipped abroad, generating an estimated **US$ 1.2 billion** in annual foreign exchange earnings.
4. **Agricultural Goods** – The port handles increasing volumes of tropical fruits (cacao, bananas) aimed at the European market, diversifying Venezuela’s export basket.
According to the **World Bank’s 2023 Trade Statistics**, cargo throughput at Puerto Ordaz grew **4.5 % YoY**, reflecting resilience despite regional economic volatility. The port’s multimodal capabilities reduce logistics costs by **15‑20 %** compared with coastal alternatives, making it a competitive node for **value‑added supply chains**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin/Destination | Mode | Frequency | Main Commodities |
|--------------------|------|-----------|-----------------|
| **Caracas → Puerto Ordaz** | River barge | Daily | Finished steel, construction materials |
| **Puerto Ordaz → Port of Houston** | Ocean liner | 2×/week | Iron ore, alumina |
| **Puerto Ordaz → Rotterdam** | Ocean liner | 1×/week | Iron ore, copper concentrate |
| **Puerto Ordaz → Caribbean Islands** | Feeder vessel | 3×/month | LPG, diesel, refined fuels |
| **Puerto Ordaz → Sao Paulo (via inland rail)** | Rail | Weekly | Fertilizers, steel billets |
The port’s location on the Orinoco River provides a natural conduit to the Atlantic via the **Delta del Orinoco**, where it merges with the **Margarita Channel** and the **Caribbean Sea**. This geographic advantage reduces transit time to Atlantic ports to **4–5 days**, considerably faster than overland routes from inland production sites.
### Major Cargo Profiles
- **Iron Ore & Bauxite:** Bulk carriers (Capesize & Panamax) dominate, with loading rates of **12,000 t/day** during peak periods.
- **Petroleum Derivatives:** The oil terminal handles **≈ 250,000 t** of diesel and gasoline per annum, supporting regional fuel markets.
- **Containerized Goods:** The container yard processes **≈ 120,000 TEU** annually, primarily for machinery parts, consumer electronics, and agricultural inputs.
- **Project Cargo:** Heavy lift equipment for hydro‑electric and mining projects is routinely transshipped via specialized roll‑on/roll‑off vessels.
### Outlook
Future development plans, outlined in the **Venezuelan National Port Development Strategy (2025‑2030)**, envision a **30 % capacity increase** by 2030 through the addition of two new berths and the installation of **state‑of‑the‑art automated handling systems**. These upgrades aim to capture growing demand from emerging Chinese and Indian steel producers seeking **stable South American ore supplies**.
For further technical details and real‑time vessel positions, consult the **UN/LOCODE directory** and the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) vessel tracking database**: UN/LOCODE VEPZO↗ and IMO Ship Identification↗.
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*This article provides a concise, data‑driven overview of Puerto Ordaz port, integrating maritime, economic, and logistical dimensions essential for professionals engaged in global trade, supply‑chain analysis, and infrastructure planning.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VEPZO
Country
Venezuela
Province / Region
Bolívar
Latitude
8.275092
Longitude
-62.767663
Timezone
America/Caracas
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Ordaz?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Ordaz is VEPZO.
Where is Port of Puerto Ordaz located?
The Port of Puerto Ordaz is located in Venezuela, Bolívar. Its coordinates are 8.2751°N, -62.7677°E.
What time zone is Port of Puerto Ordaz in?
Port of Puerto Ordaz 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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