Are you exporting from Honduras or importing goods to the country?
Well, if you intend to use sea freight, then knowing the various ports in Honduras is very important.
In this article, we will explore all ports in Honduras – both small and major ports.
Busiest Ports in Honduras
1. Puerto Cortés
This dockyard is situated in the Gulf of Honduras, specifically on the northern coast, which the Alvarado Lagoon backs up. The port was built between the east of Omao and San Pedro Sula. It was first constructed in 1524 and officially given its name in 1869 after a conquistador from Spain known as Hernán Cortés.
After experiencing significant development in the 20th century, this port has risen and established itself as one of the busiest and largest ports in Central America. It has also ranked 36th globally, equipped with over 4000 docking spaces and an annual capacity of 1500 vessels.
The dockage is designed to accommodate a wide range of products and you can utilize it to transport products including coffee, coconuts, bananas, flour, and hardwood. It handles a cargo capacity of around 2,872 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units
2. Puerto Castilla
Situated on an artificial island that emerged as a result of canals, this port is perfectly situated in a safe position as it receives natural protection from all three sides of the sea. This location was originally used for Spanish fortification before later being revitalized and renovated in the 1970s in order to support the exportation of timber and shrimp. It is located approximately 20km north of Trujillo on the northern coast of Honduras.
The dock mainly functions as an export hub for a wide range of products, it however specializes in Bananas, Packaged timber, and Palm oil. It handles approximately 170 vessels annually and accommodates 68000 tons of cargo in the same period. It features a single terminal as well as a single berth limiting its operations to one ship at a time.
3. Puerto de San Lorenzo
Located on the southern coast of the region, this landing dock is a specialized facility that deals with maritime trade in Honduras. It lies close to the Gulf of Fonseca in an estuary. The landing dock primarily facilitates container traffic and is equipped to handle a wide range of products such as fuel oil, clean products, and liquefied petroleum gas.
With the ability to handle 120 vessels docking annually, this dockage handles approximately 130,000 tons of cargo in a similar time frame. It is also equipped with mechanical docking and loading facilities in addition to offering you other shipping operations such as tugboat services, cargo services, and pilotage.
4. Puerto Tela
Found within the municipality of Tela under the Department of Atlántida, this port is located on the northern coast of Honduras. The dockage was established in 1524 by Cristóbal de Olid a Spanish conquistador. In the 20th century, it was repurposed as the headquarters of the Tela railroad company which is a subsidiary of United Fruit Company.
After the acquisition quickly gained significance but in the Mid-Century when it shifted its operation focus the dockage faced some challenges including a fire in 1994. The port is currently utilized for fishing activities and cargo handling.
5. Puerto de La Ceiba
Located in the southeastern boundary of the Gulf this dockyard found 5.2km from La Ceiba city center serves an important role in the economy of the locality. It functions as a center for both tourism and agricultural trade and is currently under the management of the National Port Company of Honduras.
The facility features warehouse space that is utilized for storage and handling of the various products that pass through the port and are in high demand. It also features a wide berth of 225 meters in length with a minimum depth of 4.2 which can support a wide range of small vessels.
This port is also a tourist center that functions as a link by offering ferry services to popular island tourist destinations. You can use the port to transport a wide range of agricultural products making it an essential tool for boosting agriculture in the region.
6. Puerto Roatan (Coxen Hole)
This dockyard functions as the main entry point into the bay islands making it a very significant cruise port in the area. It is located in Roatan’s capital city Coxen Hole about 30 miles off the northern coast. The port established in 1835 and named after Captain John Coxen, a pirate, is under the management of the Royal Caribbean and ITM Group as a partnership.
As a tourism center, this strip has annual traffic of passengers over 580,000 as it’s frequented by various cruises such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity Cruises. Its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, making further cement its role as a tourist hub.
7. San Pedro Sula Port
Although it cannot be officially categorized as a maritime port, it serves as a convergence center for land-based transportation systems as well as the distribution of products to and from other seaside ports. The port tactically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea is located in the northwestern giving it access to both inland transportation and shipping routes.
This facility serves in many capacities with its primary role as facilitating the efficient transfer of goods from one port to the next thanks to its strategic position. It also contains a concentration of different manufacturing plants making it an industrial hub as well. Aside from its manufacturing and transportation link roles, it also serves as a logistical center facilitation for both local and international trade.
8. Puerto Lempira
Situated on the islet of Tsinisland of the Caratasca Lagoon this is the capital city of the Gracias a Dios department found in northeastern Honduras. It is commonly referred to as AuhyaYari and is one of the primary settlements in the La Mosquitia region
It primarily serves as a fishing point and is equipped with a shrimp packing plant, which are the two main economic functions. It also doubles as a transportation hub and mainly relies on air transport as it unpaved roads making it a challenge to access it by land. The port is suitable for small vessels and processes an annual cargo load of 150 tons.
9. Brus Laguna
This municipality is located in the northeastern Honduras department of Gracias a Dios near Sicre River, which drains into Brus Lagoon. The Laguna relief air transport from the Brus airport which a essentially a gravel airstrip. This region’s primary economic activity is fishing and agriculture.
One of the fascinating facts about the lagoon is depending on the time you visit it alternates between fresh and salty water based on the season however its isolated location makes it difficult to access.
10. Puerto de Choloma
Strategically located between north of San Pedro Sula and south of Puerto Cortés, this minor port serves a vital logistical and economic role in the region. It facilitates the transportation of products from ports situated close to it, with the bulk coming from Puerto Cortés.
Its strategic position is especially advantageous as it efficiently links transportation routes from major cities such as San Pedro Sula making it a significant economic center. It also has a wide range of factories that capitalize on the abundance of cheap labor in the area.
Less Busy but Strategic Ports in Honduras
· Omoa Port
Located in the Cortés Department, this dockyard is situated on a small bay 18km west of Puerto Cortés. It was founded as an 18th-century fort and functions today as a small commercial port as well as a fishing village.
· Trujillo Port
It is located in the Colón department its ideal location on the Caribbean coast allows it to function as a minor port.
· Islas de la Bahía Ports
Located in the Bay Islands this port is key for tourism it has a breathtaking coral reef and a very diverse marine life making it ideal for cruise ships.
· Punta Sal Port
Located in close proximity to the region’s national park, its primary function is to provide a passage into the national park is vital for tourism in the region.
· Amapala Port
Located in the Gulf of Fonseca the island of El Tigre this port supports the local fishing industry as well as facilitates trade between El Salvador and Nicaragua.
· El Paraíso Port
It is the main inland port of the El Paraíso Department as is essential in facilitating trade in the region.
· Santa Rosa de Copán Port
This inland strip is located in Santa Rosa de Copán and its primary function is to facilitate agricultural export in the region.
· Yoro Port
Located in the Yoro Department, this inland land is essential in facilitating the transportation of products from inland areas to the coastal ports.
· Colón Port
Found in the Colón Department, this economic hub is essential for agriculture which is the main activity that takes place in the region.
· Gracias a Dios Port
Situated in Gracias a Dios Department, this strip is key when it comes to facilitating trade between neighboring countries and the indigenous communities that occupy the region.
· Siguatepeque Port
Located in Siguatepeque, this inland harbor is vital for the local industries as well as agriculture which Is the primary economic activity in the region.
· Tocoa Port
This strip is located in the Colón Department and plays a significant role in facilitating trade and agriculture in the region.
· Pueblo Nuevo Port
This transportation center is located in Pueblo Nuevo and facilitates the trade of local products.
· Dulce Nombre de Culmí Port
Located in Dulce Nombre de Culmí, this strip is significant in the facilitation of regional trade.
· El Progreso Port
Situated in El Progreso, Yoro Department, this commercial hub is vital as it connects and facilitates trade between a wide range of industries.
· Villanueva Port
This strip is located in the Villanueva, Cortés Department and is primarily aids in the trade and local commerce.
· Nacaome Port
The port’s key function is to aid the local fishing industry and is located in Valle Department, Nacaome.
· Choloma Port
This strip found in Choloma, Cortés Department functions as an industrial hub and is linked with nearby ports.
· Cofradía Port
Primarily tasked with supporting the local agriculture and manufacturing industries, this inland port is located in the Cofradía, Cortés Department
· La Union Port
This strip’s main role is to facilitate local fishing activities and trade and is located in La Unión, Valle Department.
· Port of Tegucigalpa (inland)
Tegucigalpa which is a Capital city has limited access to the sera and therefore relies on this inland pir to facilitate and trade in the region.
· Puerto de La Paz (inland)
This strip of inland strips’ main role is to support the local agriculture industry and is located in La Paz
· Puerto de El Paraíso (inland)
The primary function of this location is to facilitate trade in the region of El Paraíso
· Port of San Francisco (inland)
This strip’s primary function is a transportation hub that is essential to the local agricultural and commercial activities that are vital to San Francisco, found in the Olancho Department
· Port of Santa Bárbara (inland)
Located in the Santa Bárbara Department this land is essential to the region as it facilitates agriculture in the region by aiding in the transportation of the products to better markets.
· Port of Concepción (inland)
Situated in Concepción, Intibucá Department, this inland strip plays a key role in facilitating the region’s agricultural export industry.
· Port of La Libertad (inland)
This port is key when it comes to La Libertad’s regional commerce, especially in the local manufacturing and agricultural industry
· Port of Intibucá (inland)
Local Trade and agriculture in the Intibucá Department gain access to local markets using this transportation hub.
· Port of Ocotepeque (inland)
When it comes to cross-border trade with Guatemala and El Salvador this port strategically located in the Ocotepeque Department, plays a major role in facilitating the transportation of goods.
· Port of Lempira (inland)
Located in the Lempira Department this inland strip plays a key role in supporting agriculture and local industries by facilitating transport which is key when it comes to accessing larger markets.
· Port of Valle (inland)
Situated in Gualala, Atlántida Department, this land is key when it comes to supporting local products and agricultural products by serving as a transportation hub.
Details: An inland port that supports regional trade activities, particularly in agriculture and local products.
· Port of San Marcos (inland)
Found in San Marcos de Colón, Choluteca Department this strip functions as a connection center between Honduras and other neighboring regions.
Port of Copán Ruinas (inland)
This tourism hub located in Copán Ruinas, Copán Department features significant archaeological sites boosting ecotourism in the region. It also supports trade and transportation.
Conclusion
Honduras has a large number of ports spread throughout the region that play a key role in its commerce. These ports are located both at maritime and inland and facilitate commerce throughout the region. Some ports specialize in specific products, it is therefore advisable that you look further into each port when deciding which one to use.
More resources:
How to Calculate Sea Freight Rates with FCL and LCL – Source: BANSAR
Calculate Freight Shipping Cost – Source: BANSAR
