Puerto de Acajutla
El Salvador
Technical sheet of Puerto de Acajutla (Sonsonate): El Salvador's main merchant hub on the Pacific, managed by Unión Portuaria del Pacífico under a CEPA–Yilport scheme, with strong cargo momentum in 2025, the FSRU BW Tatiana terminal and a US$1,600 million UPDP expansion plan.
General information
Official name
Puerto de Acajutla
Location
Acajutla, Sonsonate, El Salvador
Approximate coordinates
13.5920° N, 89.8325° W
Maritime zone
Pacific Ocean
Port type
Multi-purpose commercial
Current operator
Unión Portuaria del Pacífico (UPDP)
Operating model
Mixed-economy company between the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA) and Yilport Holding
Start of new operating scheme
December 2024
Main technical specifications
Coast
Pacific
Operator
UPDP
Terminal type
Multi-purpose
Operating draft
8 to 12.50 m depending on berth
Operation
24/7
Specialization
Bulk, general cargo and energy
Connectivity
National logistics corridor
Energy infrastructure
Yes
Associated industrial zone
Western El Salvador
Port infrastructure
Strategic importance
Puerto de Acajutla is El Salvador's main merchant port and the country's most important logistics node on the Pacific.
During 2025 it recorded sustained growth in cargo movement:
2025 growth indicators
IndicatorTotal metric tons
- 2025 growth
- +11.20%
IndicatorGeneral cargo
- 2025 growth
- +51.75%
IndicatorBulk
- 2025 growth
- +68.9%
| Indicator | 2025 growth |
|---|---|
| Total metric tons | +11.20% |
| General cargo | +51.75% |
| Bulk | +68.9% |
These results reflect:
- Greater industrial dynamism.
- Increase in strategic imports.
- National energy and logistics expansion.
Operational specialization — Strategic imports
The port's imports are dominated by:
CategoryAgricultural
- Products
- Corn, wheat, soybean meal
CategoryIndustrial
- Products
- Steel products
CategoryConstruction
- Products
- Clinker and cement
| Category | Products |
|---|---|
| Agricultural | Corn, wheat, soybean meal |
| Industrial | Steel products |
| Construction | Clinker and cement |
These goods supply:
- Food industry.
- Agricultural production.
- National construction.
- Manufacturing and infrastructure.
Notable exports — Sugar
The main export product is:
ModeIn bulk
- Detail
- Sugar
ModeIn bags
- Detail
- Sugar
| Mode | Detail |
|---|---|
| In bulk | Sugar |
| In bags | Sugar |
The port works as a key platform for:
- Salvadoran agro-exporters.
- Regional trade.
- International Pacific markets.
Energy infrastructure — FSRU BW Tatiana terminal
The port complex hosts the floating FSRU BW Tatiana terminal.
Operated by Energía del Pacífico.
National energy impact
During 2024 the terminal supplied more than 30% of national energy demand.
Approximate electricity generation:
IndicatorElectricity generation
- Value
- 2,127 GWh
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Electricity generation | 2,127 GWh |
This turned Acajutla into:
- A strategic national energy node.
- A critical point for energy security.
- A liquefied natural gas (LNG) import center.
Operating drafts — Commercial berths
BerthBerth A-1
- Operating draft
- 9.50 m FWD and 10.50 m AFT
BerthBerth A-2
- Operating draft
- 10.50 m
BerthBerth B-5
- Operating draft
- 8 m FWD and 9.90 m AFT
BerthBerth B-6
- Operating draft
- 9.90 m FWD and 10 m AFT
BerthBerth B/3-4
- Operating draft
- 11.20 m FWD and 1.40 m AFT
BerthBerth C/7-8
- Operating draft
- 12.50 m
BerthImpala Marine Terminal
- Operating draft
- 12 m
| Berth | Operating draft |
|---|---|
| Berth A-1 | 9.50 m FWD and 10.50 m AFT |
| Berth A-2 | 10.50 m |
| Berth B-5 | 8 m FWD and 9.90 m AFT |
| Berth B-6 | 9.90 m FWD and 10 m AFT |
| Berth B/3-4 | 11.20 m FWD and 1.40 m AFT |
| Berth C/7-8 | 12.50 m |
| Impala Marine Terminal | 12 m |
Expansion and modernization — UPDP 2026+ project
The new administration presented a large-scale port expansion plan that includes a new container terminal.
New container terminal
FeatureProject type
- Detail
- New container terminal
FeatureLength
- Detail
- 510 meters
FeatureDepth
- Detail
- 17.5 meters
FeatureEstimated start
- Detail
- Q3 2026
FeatureEstimated completion
- Detail
- Q3 2028
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project type | New container terminal |
| Length | 510 meters |
| Depth | 17.5 meters |
| Estimated start | Q3 2026 |
| Estimated completion | Q3 2028 |
Strategic investment
ConceptTotal estimated investment
- Value
- US$1,600 million
| Concept | Value |
|---|---|
| Total estimated investment | US$1,600 million |
The project seeks to:
- Increase operating capacity.
- Receive vessels of greater draft.
- Reduce logistics times.
- Turn Acajutla into a regional hub.
Strategic advantages
AdvantageMain Salvadoran port
- Impact
- National leadership
AdvantageEnergy infrastructure
- Impact
- Energy security
AdvantagePacific connection
- Impact
- International trade
AdvantagePartnership with Yilport
- Impact
- Operational modernization
AdvantageFuture expansion
- Impact
- Regional competitiveness
| Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| Main Salvadoran port | National leadership |
| Energy infrastructure | Energy security |
| Pacific connection | International trade |
| Partnership with Yilport | Operational modernization |
| Future expansion | Regional competitiveness |
Regional comparison
PortPuerto de Acajutla
- Country
- El Salvador
- Specialization
- Energy and bulk
PortPuerto Quetzal
- Country
- Guatemala
- Specialization
- Mass bulk
PortPuerto La Unión
- Country
- El Salvador
- Specialization
- Logistics expansion
PortPuerto Cortés
- Country
- Honduras
- Specialization
- Containers
| Port | Country | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto de Acajutla | El Salvador | Energy and bulk |
| Puerto Quetzal | Guatemala | Mass bulk |
| Puerto La Unión | El Salvador | Logistics expansion |
| Puerto Cortés | Honduras | Containers |
Coordinates and navigation
ElementLatitude
- Information
- 13.5920° N
ElementLongitude
- Information
- 89.8325° W
ElementMaritime zone
- Information
- Eastern Pacific
ElementOperation type
- Information
- Intensive international trade
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 13.5920° N |
| Longitude | 89.8325° W |
| Maritime zone | Eastern Pacific |
| Operation type | Intensive international trade |
Executive summary
Key indicatorTotal growth 2025
- Value
- +11.20%
Key indicatorGeneral cargo growth
- Value
- +51.75%
Key indicatorBulk growth
- Value
- +68.9%
Key indicatorEnergy infrastructure
- Value
- FSRU BW Tatiana
Key indicatorEnergy generation 2024
- Value
- 2,127 GWh
Key indicatorNational demand coverage
- Value
- >30%
Key indicatorPlanned new berth
- Value
- 510 m / 17.5 m
Key indicatorFuture investment
- Value
- US$1,600 million
| Key indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total growth 2025 | +11.20% |
| General cargo growth | +51.75% |
| Bulk growth | +68.9% |
| Energy infrastructure | FSRU BW Tatiana |
| Energy generation 2024 | 2,127 GWh |
| National demand coverage | >30% |
| Planned new berth | 510 m / 17.5 m |
| Future investment | US$1,600 million |