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

 

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.

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

In 2002, the port of Belize was privatized and has been managed by Port of Belize Limited since then.

Container Facilities

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)

 

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.

 

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.

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 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.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

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

Berthing Specifications

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

Port Handling Equipment 

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

Container Facilities

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)

 

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).

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.