Puerto Corinto
Nicaragua
Technical sheet of Puerto Corinto (Chinandega): Nicaragua's main port on the Pacific, operated by the National Port Company, with a high weight in national maritime trade and an expansion plan that seeks to double capacity to ~7.5 million MT, new berths, automated bulk and the Julia Herrera Logistics Center.
General information
Official name
Puerto Corinto
Location
Corinto, Chinandega, Nicaragua
Approximate coordinates
12.4828° N, 87.1734° W
Maritime zone
Pacific Ocean
Administrator
Empresa Portuaria Nacional (EPN)
Port type
Multi-purpose commercial
National importance
Nicaragua's main maritime port
Main technical specifications
Coast
Pacific
Operator
Administración Portuaria Corinto (APC)
Terminal type
Multi-purpose
Operating berth draft
11.00 m
National commercial share
75%
International vessel reception
82%
Current annual movement
~3.5 million MT
Future target
7.5 million MT
Port infrastructure
Strategic importance
Puerto Corinto is Nicaragua's main port node and concentrates most of the country's maritime trade.
Currently:
- It handles approximately 3.5 million tons annually.
- It serves 75% of national maritime trade.
- It receives 82% of the international vessels entering Nicaragua.
Positioning
This makes it:
- Nicaragua's main commercial port.
- The country's most important maritime logistics center.
- A strategic axis for regional and transoceanic trade.
Port modernization — Comprehensive expansion project
Puerto Corinto is going through one of Nicaragua's most important port modernization processes.
Main objective
Double the operating capacity:
From 3.5 million MT to approximately 7.5 million MT annually.
New multi-purpose berths — Planned infrastructure
ElementNew berths
- Detail
- 2
ElementTotal length
- Detail
- 490 meters
ElementType
- Detail
- Multi-purpose
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| New berths | 2 |
| Total length | 490 meters |
| Type | Multi-purpose |
Expansion of existing infrastructure
In addition to the new berths:
- Two current berths will be expanded.
- Simultaneous handling capacity will be increased.
- Loading and unloading operations will be optimized.
Automated bulk terminal
One of the most important components of the project is the new automated bulk terminal.
Technical features
FeatureNumber of silos
- Detail
- 4
FeatureTotal capacity
- Detail
- 40,000 tons (10,000 t per silo)
FeatureTransfer speed
- Detail
- 600 tons/hour
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of silos | 4 |
| Total capacity | 40,000 tons (10,000 t per silo) |
| Transfer speed | 600 tons/hour |
Operational impact — New works
The new works will enable:
ImprovementAutomated unloading
- Expected result
- Greater efficiency
ImprovementLogistics modernization
- Expected result
- Reduced congestion
ImprovementOperational optimization
- Expected result
- Shorter dwell time
ImprovementExpanded capacity
- Expected result
- More maritime trade
| Improvement | Expected result |
|---|---|
| Automated unloading | Greater efficiency |
| Logistics modernization | Reduced congestion |
| Operational optimization | Shorter dwell time |
| Expanded capacity | More maritime trade |
Time reduction — Operational efficiency
Authorities estimate the modernization will enable:
IndicatorVessel unloading time
- Improvement
- -60%
| Indicator | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Vessel unloading time | -60% |
This represents:
- Lower logistics costs.
- Greater vessel turnover.
- Increased regional competitiveness.
Julia Herrera Logistics Center
In December 2024 the Julia Herrera Logistics Center was inaugurated.
Features
ElementTotal area
- Value
- 102,166 m²
ElementFunction
- Value
- Logistics support and storage
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Total area | 102,166 m² |
| Function | Logistics support and storage |
This center strengthens:
- Land distribution.
- Goods management.
- National logistics integration.
Operational specialization
Puerto Corinto handles:
- General cargo.
- Bulk.
- Containers.
- Liquid cargo (import / export).
- Industrial imports.
- Agro-industrial exports.
Strategic advantages
AdvantageMain Nicaraguan port
- Impact
- National leadership
AdvantageMassive modernization
- Impact
- Increased competitiveness
AdvantageTime reduction
- Impact
- Greater efficiency
AdvantageLogistics integration
- Impact
- Better distribution
AdvantageFuture expansion
- Impact
- Doubling of capacity
| Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| Main Nicaraguan port | National leadership |
| Massive modernization | Increased competitiveness |
| Time reduction | Greater efficiency |
| Logistics integration | Better distribution |
| Future expansion | Doubling of capacity |
Regional comparison
PortPuerto Corinto
- Country
- Nicaragua
- Specialization
- Multi-purpose and modernization
PortPuerto de Acajutla
- Country
- El Salvador
- Specialization
- Energy and bulk
PortPuerto Quetzal
- Country
- Guatemala
- Specialization
- Mass bulk
PortPuerto San Lorenzo
- Country
- Honduras
- Specialization
- Pacific multi-purpose
| Port | Country | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Corinto | Nicaragua | Multi-purpose and modernization |
| Puerto de Acajutla | El Salvador | Energy and bulk |
| Puerto Quetzal | Guatemala | Mass bulk |
| Puerto San Lorenzo | Honduras | Pacific multi-purpose |
Coordinates and navigation
ElementLatitude
- Information
- 12.4828° N
ElementLongitude
- Information
- 87.1734° W
ElementMaritime zone
- Information
- Eastern Pacific
ElementOperation type
- Information
- International trade
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 12.4828° N |
| Longitude | 87.1734° W |
| Maritime zone | Eastern Pacific |
| Operation type | International trade |
Executive summary
Key indicatorNational maritime trade
- Value
- 75%
Key indicatorInternational vessels
- Value
- 82%
Key indicatorCurrent annual movement
- Value
- ~3.5 million MT
Key indicatorFuture target
- Value
- 7.5 million MT
Key indicatorNew berths
- Value
- 2
Key indicatorNew infrastructure length
- Value
- 490 m
Key indicatorAutomated silos
- Value
- 4
Key indicatorSilo capacity
- Value
- 40,000 MT (10,000 MT each)
Key indicatorUnloading reduction
- Value
- -60%
Key indicatorLogistics center
- Value
- 102,166 m²
| Key indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| National maritime trade | 75% |
| International vessels | 82% |
| Current annual movement | ~3.5 million MT |
| Future target | 7.5 million MT |
| New berths | 2 |
| New infrastructure length | 490 m |
| Automated silos | 4 |
| Silo capacity | 40,000 MT (10,000 MT each) |
| Unloading reduction | -60% |
| Logistics center | 102,166 m² |