Puerto Barrios
Guatemala
Technical sheet of Puerto Barrios (Izabal): an Atlantic multi-purpose port specialized in containers and refrigerated cargo, integrated into the Caribbean axis together with Santo Tomás de Castilla and a protagonist of the 2025 national port movement record.
General information
Official name
Puerto Barrios
Location
Puerto Barrios, Izabal, Guatemala
Approximate coordinates
15.7275° N, 88.5940° W
Maritime zone
Caribbean Sea / Atlantic
Port type
Multi-purpose commercial
Port administrator
Chiquita
Logistics region
Guatemalan Caribbean
Main technical specifications
Coast
Atlantic / Caribbean
Terminal type
Multi-purpose
Operating draft
10 m FWD and 10.20 m AFT (floating berth; tankers and bulk carriers)
Specialization
Containers and refrigerated
Operation
International trade
Connectivity
Atlantic corridor
Logistics zone
Izabal
Regional relationship
Complementary to Santo Tomás
Port infrastructure
Important operational differentiation
Puerto Barrios and Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla are distinct facilities, although they operate contiguously within Guatemala's Atlantic corridor.
Both are part of the main logistics axis of the Guatemalan Caribbean, but they have:
- Differentiated operations.
- Independent infrastructure.
- Distinct commercial and cargo approaches.
Strategic importance
During 2025, Puerto Barrios handled approximately:
Movement and share (2025 reference)
IndicatorTotal movement
- Value
- 5.66 million MT
IndicatorNational share
- Value
- 16% of the Guatemalan port system
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total movement | 5.66 million MT |
| National share | 16% of the Guatemalan port system |
The port keeps a strategic position due to:
- Its direct outlet to the Atlantic.
- Its proximity to Caribbean and North American markets.
- Logistics integration with Santo Tomás de Castilla.
Operational specialization
Containerized cargo
Puerto Barrios has a strong orientation toward:
- Container movement.
- Regional international trade.
- Import/export operations.
Refrigerated cargo
The port handles perishable and export products mainly associated with:
- Agribusiness.
- Food products.
- Regional cold chain.
Notable products
Cargo typeIndustrial
- Main products
- Steel products
Cargo typeAgro-industrial
- Main products
- Fertilizers
Cargo typeRefrigerated
- Main products
- Perishable products
Cargo typeGeneral
- Main products
- Multi-purpose merchandise
Cargo typeNotable commodities
- Main products
- International trade
| Cargo type | Main products |
|---|---|
| Industrial | Steel products |
| Agro-industrial | Fertilizers |
| Refrigerated | Perishable products |
| General | Multi-purpose merchandise |
| Notable commodities | International trade |
Atlantic logistics integration — Guatemala's Caribbean axis
Puerto Barrios operates as part of the Atlantic corridor alongside Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla.
This integration enables:
- Distribution of specialized cargo.
- Operational redundancy.
- Better regional logistics capacity.
- Diversification of maritime operations.
Historic port record — Guatemala 2025
Guatemala's three main ports — Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla and Puerto Barrios — jointly handled:
Joint system movement (2025 reference)
IndicatorJoint movement 2025
- Value
- 35.2 million MT
IndicatorGrowth vs 2024
- Value
- 13.3%
IndicatorResult
- Value
- National historic record
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Joint movement 2025 | 35.2 million MT |
| Growth vs 2024 | 13.3% |
| Result | National historic record |
Strategic advantages
AdvantageCaribbean location
- Impact
- International connection
AdvantageComplement to Santo Tomás
- Impact
- Greater logistics capacity
AdvantageContainerized specialization
- Impact
- Efficient trade flow
AdvantageRegional integration
- Impact
- Central America–USA trade
| Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| Caribbean location | International connection |
| Complement to Santo Tomás | Greater logistics capacity |
| Containerized specialization | Efficient trade flow |
| Regional integration | Central America–USA trade |
Infrastructure and connectivity
Puerto Barrios has:
- Container areas.
- General cargo operation.
- Refrigerated infrastructure.
- Access to the Guatemalan Atlantic corridor.
- Land connectivity to industrial zones and regional borders.
Quick comparison
PortPuerto Quetzal
- Region
- Pacific
- Specialization
- Bulk and mass trade
PortPuerto Santo Tomás de Castilla
- Region
- Atlantic
- Specialization
- Refrigerated and energy
PortPuerto Barrios
- Region
- Atlantic
- Specialization
- Containers and general cargo
| Port | Region | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Quetzal | Pacific | Bulk and mass trade |
| Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla | Atlantic | Refrigerated and energy |
| Puerto Barrios | Atlantic | Containers and general cargo |
Coordinates and navigation
ElementLatitude
- Information
- 15.7275° N
ElementLongitude
- Information
- 88.5940° W
ElementMaritime zone
- Information
- Western Caribbean
ElementOperation type
- Information
- Multi-purpose commercial
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 15.7275° N |
| Longitude | 88.5940° W |
| Maritime zone | Western Caribbean |
| Operation type | Multi-purpose commercial |
Executive summary
Key indicatorMovement 2025
- Value
- 5.66 million MT
Key indicatorNational share
- Value
- 16%
Key indicatorSpecialization
- Value
- Containers and refrigerated
Key indicatorKey products
- Value
- Steel, fertilizers, perishables
Key indicatorStrategic integration
- Value
- Guatemalan Atlantic axis
Key indicatorNational result 2025
- Value
- Historic record
| Key indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Movement 2025 | 5.66 million MT |
| National share | 16% |
| Specialization | Containers and refrigerated |
| Key products | Steel, fertilizers, perishables |
| Strategic integration | Guatemalan Atlantic axis |
| National result 2025 | Historic record |