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 |
N/A |
N/A |
Number of Reefer Stations |
3 |
3 |
Emergency Take-off Capacity |
N/A |
N/A |
Off take Capacity of Gang 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 |
Police Boats |
Yes (Coast Guards) |
Fire Engines |
Yes |
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