Port Overview 

The New Port of La Union is one of El Salvador’s main infrastructure with total investment US$200 million. It was inaugurated by GoES in June 2010. The project was financed by Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and a government agency, Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autonoma (CEPA).   

Among the facilities that the Port of La Union offers to potential licensees include: high level of port infrastructure, with more than 50 ha of work (1 Stage), with deep-water docks where boats can dock Post Panama type that can mobilise up to 6500 TEUs; space for future development of facilities, road connectivity and the possibility of developing a rail connectivity.  

Port website: http://www.cepa.gob.sv/tag/puerto-la-union 

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

Port Picture 

 

Port Performance 

Since its inauguration in 2010, the port has been barely used (95 vessels between 2014 and 2017). The government of Japan, through JICA, in 2019, started an assessment to the port in order to support the improvement of the basis for economic and social development through the development of economic infrastructure. In addition, it will promote technical assistance that contributes to the activation of the Port, built under the Reimbursable Financial Cooperation scheme.  With this strategy is its hoped to define its role against Port of Acajutla and its complementarity to Puerto Cortes in Honduras and Port Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala. 

Statistics for 2019 show a total reception of 21 vessels (18,041.19MT: 23,242 TEU).   

At the moment the type of ships that can enter to the port are those type of Panamax that mobilise 4,66 TEU or Post Panamax mobilising 6,500 TEU.  

Port size: small

Access Chanel: Dredging 13 million m³ approx. 

Interior Canal:   

• Length: 5.0 km. 
• Deep: 14.00 MT.  
• Width: 140 MT. 
• Signal Range: 3 Mn.  

  

Exterior Canal:

• Length 17.00 Km. 
• Deep: 14.50 MT. 
• Width: 140 MT. 
• Signal Range: 4 Mn 

 

Navigation Aids. 

• 16 Marker buoys. 
• GPS Radios
• 1 Navigation Lighthouse  
• Visibility: 22 Nautical Miles 

 

 

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges 

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link:  https://www.transparencia.gob.sv/institutions/cepa/documents/servicios 

Berthing Specifications 

General Cargo Handling Berths 

Port Handling Equipment 

The port equipment is handled by governmental personnel. The equipment is not used 100% since very few vessels arrive there. 

Container Facilities 

Facilities for containers are mostly empty due that not many vessels arrive to the port. 

Customs Guidance 

Although there is little movement at the port, Customs office is active. There is no information regarding on how long it takes to get shipment out of the port. 

There is also an office in La Union: 3ra calle Pte. Sector La esperanza, Colonia Belén, No. 22, La Union. Phone No.: +503 2604-4106 / 2637-0173. 

Terminal Information 

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL 

Multipurpose terminal is available with the following information:  

Berth length: 220 m 

Depth: -10 m 

Total area: 115,981 m² 

 

There is also a Ro Ro and passenger terminal with the following information: 

Berth length: 240 m 

Depth: -9.5 m 

Total area: 34,871 m²   

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING 

There is no information with this regard. 

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL 

There is a warehouse for general cargo, which is located at the multipurpose terminal and its working hours are as follow: 

• Monday: 08:00 – 17:00hrs 
• Tuesday to Thursday: 07:00 – 17:00hrs 
• Friday: 07:00 – 15:45hrs 

So far what has been stored is: iron and steel (metal, ingots, rolls, coils, sheets, messes, loose parts, others) and fractional General cargo. Whichever shipping company or customer must present the Tarja note and the partial bill of departure and a payment of USD 0.39 par metric ton. 

Port Security 

Port security is maintained 24 hours a day.