Port Overview
The Port of Belize City was originally established in 1978. In 2002, the government of Belize agreed to sell the Port of Belize to Port of Belize Limited (PBL), including the license to operate, manage and provide port-related services. The license was granted for a duration of 30 years and sets out the specific responsibilities and duties of PBL. More recently , discussions between PBL and the government of Belize are ongoing to modernize the port facilities by constructing a new bulk terminal to serve the growing needs of the export sector.
Port website: Port of Belize Website
Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com
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Port Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Country |
Belize |
|
Province or District |
Belize |
|
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
Belize City (0.5 km) |
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Port's Complete Name |
Port of Belize |
|
Latitude |
17.47368 |
|
Longitude |
-88.20073 |
|
Managing Company or Port Authority |
Port of Belize Limited |
|
Management Contact Person |
Kenrick M. Rirchards /Cargo Operations Manager |
|
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
Airport Name: Philip Goldson International Airport Belize Airlines: United, American, Delta, Southwest and Avianca |
Port Picture
- Port Entrance from Belize City
- Puma Fuel Storage Facilities (Fuel Supplier for Belize) - 189,270 litre (50,000 gallons) storage capacity
- Storage Warehouse 1,950 m2
- Loading/Unloading Areas 2,400 m2 and 790 m2
- Pier Length to Dock (+/- 700 meters)
- Containers Yards 9,290 m2 and 5,850 m2
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
For more information on key companies at the Port of Belize City, see the following link:4.4 Belize Port and Waterways Companies Contact List
Port Performance
The Port of Belize City faces several access constraints and bottlenecks. The one lane trestle and pier head create a severe bottleneck due to its small size and sharp turning angles. As a result, this leads to limited movement and activity on the pier head itself. Likewise, the width of the pier head restricts vessel operations to one at a time, and restricts efficient use of either shore cranes or ship cranes. This adds significant costs to the port's operations.
The shallow depths in the channel, turning basin and pier head restrict the size of vessels that can operate at the port, while restricting the possibility of economies of scale, in particular for bulk commodities. The substandard design and condition of crane equipment at the pier head causes bottlenecks and additional costs, in particular with wider and larger vessels, resulting in excessive re-shifting and sorting of containers.
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Seasonal Constraints |
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|---|---|---|
|
Occurs |
Time Frame |
|
|
Rainy Season |
Yes |
June to November |
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Major Import Campaigns |
Yes |
March to December |
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Other Comments |
N/A |
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|
Handling Figures for 2016 |
|
|---|---|
|
Vessel Calls |
201 |
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Container Traffic (TEUs) |
46,040 |
|
Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2016 |
|
|---|---|
|
Bulk (MT) |
910,805 |
|
Break bulk (MT) |
730,300 |
Berthing Specifications
|
Type of Berth |
Quantity |
Length (m) |
Maximum Draft (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Conventional Berth |
1 |
25 |
8 |
|
Container Berth |
1 |
25 |
8 |
|
Silo Berth |
N/A | ||
|
Berthing Tugs |
1 |
8 |
|
|
Water Barges |
1 |
8 |
General Cargo Handling Berths
|
Cargo Type |
Berth Identification |
|---|---|
|
Imports - Bagged Cargo |
1st Berth |
|
Exports - Bagged Cargo |
1st Berth |
|
Imports and Exports - RoRo |
N/A |
|
Other Imports |
N/A |
Port Handling Equipment
In 2002, the port of Belize was privatized and has been managed by Port of Belize Limited since then.
|
Equipment |
Available |
Total Quantity and Capacity Available |
Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dockside Crane |
Yes |
150 mt, 155 mt |
Operational |
|
Container Gantries |
Yes |
Operational |
|
|
Mobile Cranes |
Yes |
55 mt, 60 mt |
Operational |
|
Reachstacker |
Yes |
49.5 mt |
Operational |
|
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) |
No |
||
|
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines |
No |
||
|
Transtainer |
No |
50 mt, 25 mt |
Operational |
|
Forklifts |
Yes |
5 mt |
Operational |
Container Facilities
|
Facilities |
20 ft |
40 ft |
|---|---|---|
|
Container Facilities Available |
9290 m² |
5850 m² |
|
Container Freight Station (CFS) |
1 |
1 |
|
Refrigerated Container Stations |
72 |
|
|
Other Capacity Details |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Daily Take Off Capacity |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Number of Reefer Stations |
12 |
12 |
|
Emergency Take-off Capacity |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Off take Capacity of Gang Shift |
N/A |
N/A |
Customs Guidance
All documentation needs to be put online which can be done from anywhere in the country. All duties are paid to the Bank Care of Government of Belize. Customs declaration are then taken to the customs office. It takes about one hour to complete the procedures. Working hours of customs offices are from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00. On weekends, appointments need to be coordinated individually.
For more information on customs in Belize, please see the following link: 1.3 Belize Customs Information
Terminal Information
Multipurpose Terminal
Quay of 67 m and RoRo Berth of 25 m. Pier (230 m² (2,500 ft²)) is currently not in use. The RoRo ramp was never operational due to design flaws and due to a lack of water depth for RoRo vessels on the windward side of the pier head.
Grain And Bulk Handling
Break bulk cargo is being discharged by using vessel cranes. The Port of Belize Limited conducts all these operations. There is no bulk handling facility in Belize to meet the growing need for bulk commodity movements.
Main Storage Terminal
The size of the working area of the port is 2,400 m² (25,800 ft²). The storage warehouses have a total capacity of 1,950 m² (21,000 ft²). Two container yards are available, one of 9,290 m² (100,000 ft²) and of 5,850 m² (63,000 ft²)
|
Storage Type |
Number of Storage Facilities |
Area (m2) |
|---|---|---|
|
Bagged Cargo |
0 |
N/A |
|
Refrigerated Cargo |
1 |
72 Containers |
|
General Cargo |
1 |
Stevedoring
Port services provided by the Port of Belize Limited include the following:
- 24-hour Port Operation
- Pilotage
- Heavy Lift (crane)
- Storage
- Loading and Unloading
- Stripping of Containers
- Re-stuffing of Containers
- 24 Reefer Plugs for Reefer Container
- Warehouse for Cargo Consolidation
- Receiving and Delivery of Cargo/Containers
- Rental of Property (24-hour security)
Hinterland Information
Containers can be loaded on trucks chassis/flatbeds by container handles/crane to move cargo along the Belize road network.
Port Security
The port operates under ISPS level 1. Most of the port areas are kept under 24-hour surveillance by cameras. Additionally, all port facilities are watched by security guards.
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Security |
|
|---|---|
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ISPS Compliant |
Yes |
|
Current ISPS Level |
Level 1 |
|
Police Boats |
Yes (Belize Coast Guard) |
|
Fire Engines |
Yes |
Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.
Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.
