Belize
2.1.2 Belize Port of Big Creek
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Port Overview

The Port of Big Creek is located in the south of Belize and is owned and managed by Banana Enterprises Limited (BEL). Its principal activities are tug and barge services, property rental, stevedoring, ship agency, port services, and fertilizer and agro-chemical imports. BEL contracts and provides its own pilot and security services.

The port was established in 1990 to facilitate the export of bananas. Today, mainly bananas, citrus and crude oil are exported through the Port of Big Creek. It is fully equipped and has a cold storage facility with a 24-hour standby power supply. The Big Creek Port is the first privately-owned port in Belize where the vessels are docked alongside the mainland.

Port website: Port of Big Creek Website 

Key port information may also be found at http://www.maritime-database.com

 

Port Location and Contact

Country

Belize

Province or District

Stann Creek

Nearest Town or City

With Distance From Port

Dangrai

87 km

Port's Complete Name

The Port of Big Creek

Latitude

16.51416667

Longitude

-88.40444444

Managing Company or Port Authority

Banana Enterprises Limited

Management Contact Person

Mr. Gustavo Carrillo

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

The facilities cover an area of 30 acres including:

  • 10.7 acre (~) container yard (1,200 TEUs)
  • 12 acre (~) break-bulk terminal
  • 59,000 barrel liquid bulk storage area (14 tanks)
  • 1,603 m² warehouse (palletized bananas)
  • 762.42 m² warehouse (palletized banana boxes)
  • 890 m² warehouse (fertilizer and petrochemicals)
  • 669 m² warehouse (fertilizer and petrochemicals)

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Belize Port and Waterways Companies Contact List

Port Performance

The Port of Big Creek is fully equipped with a backup power supply to handle refrigerated containers, break bulk cargo, grain and dry containers.

Seasonal Constraints

 

Occurs

Time Frame

Rainy Season

Yes

June to November

Major Import Campaigns

Yes

March to December

Other Comments

N/A

Handling Figures for 2016

Vessel Calls

138

Container Traffic (TEUs)

6,634

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2016

Bulk (MT)

48,308

Break bulk (MT)

43,266

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: Belize Port Tariffs.

Berthing Specifications

Type of Berth

Quantity

Length

(m)

Maximum

Draft (m)

Conventional Berth

1 & 2

305

6.5

Container Berth

3

213

6.5

Silo Berth

N/A

   

Berthing Tugs

1

N/A

6.5

Water Barges

1

N/A

6.5

The channel has been dredged to a minimum depth of 7 m for the first 1.5 km and thereafter to a minimum of 6.7 m. A channel width of 67 m has been created at the fully dredged depth to permit single-way ship movements. Maximum vessel LOA is 155 m and maximum safe draft is 6.5 m.

Efforts are ongoing to dredge the existing channel and widen the turning basin area. The turning area will then be able to accommodate a vessel of 250 m. The channel will dredge to a minimum depth of 11 m and a width of 105 m.

 General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type

Berth Identification

Imports - Bagged Cargo

2nd Berth

Exports - Bagged Cargo

2nd Berth

Imports and Exports - RoRo

3nd Berth

Other Imports

N/A

Port Handling Equipment 

The port is privately owned and managed by Banana Enterprises Limited.

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Dockside Crane

Yes

200 mt

Container Gantries

No

 

Mobile Cranes

Yes

60 mt, 110 mt, 200 mt

Reachstacker

Yes

32 mt

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)

No

 

Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines

No

 

Transtainer

No

 

Forklifts

Yes

5 mt, 3 mt

Container Facilities

Facilities

20 ft

40 ft

Container Facilities Available

8,000

4,000

Container Freight Station (CFS)

1

1

Refrigerated Container Stations

120

120

Other Capacity Details

N/A

N/A

Daily Take Off Capacity
(Containers per Day)

N/A

N/A

Number of Reefer Stations
(Connection Points)

3

3

Emergency Take-off Capacity

N/A

N/A

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift
(Containers per Shift)

N/A

N/A

Customs Guidance

All documentation need to be put online which can be done from anywhere in 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 1 hour to complete the procedures. Working hours of customs offices are from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, on weekends,  on call.

For more information on customs in Belize, please see the following link: 1.3 Belize Customs Information.

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

Two berths (1 and 2) of a total length of 305 m with a depth of 10 meters. As of September 2017, a third berth of 213 m with a depth of 10 m is under construction.

Grain And Bulk Handling

Facilities to handle grain and break bulk cargo are available. Conveyors from shore to vessels can load grain cargo. Break bulk cargo is discharged by vessel cranes.

Main Storage Terminal

List of available storage facilities:

-          59,000 barrels for liquid bulk cargo (clean fuel)

-          59,000 barrels for liquid bulk cargo (crude oil)

-          1,603 m² warehouse (palletized bananas)

-          762.42 m² warehouse (palletized banana boxes)

-          890 m² warehouse (fertilizer and petrochemicals)

-          669 m² warehouse (fertilizer and petrochemicals)

 

Storage Type

Number of Storage Facilities

Area (m2)

Bagged Cargo

NIL

N/A

Refrigerated Cargo

1

120 plugs

General Cargo

1

 

Stevedoring

As of today, Banana Enterprises Limited manages over 60 stevedores at the Port of Big Creek.

Hinterland Information

Containers are loaded on trucks chassis/flatbeds by container handles/crane. Those trucks move cargo along the Belize road network.

Port Security

The port is operating under ISPS level 1. The port areas are under 24-hour surveillance by cameras. Additionally, security guards patrol around the port compound (inside and outside).

Security

ISPS Compliant

Yes

Current ISPS Level
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)

Level 1

Police Boats

Yes (Coast Guards)

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.

 

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