Puerto San Lorenzo (Henecán)
Honduras
Technical sheet of the Port of San Lorenzo —Puerto Henecán— Honduras' main maritime outlet to the Pacific (Gulf of Fonseca), operated by ENP, with technical access through the El Henecán channel, referenced traffic of ~46 vessels/month and a multi-node focus on multi-purpose cargo, Asia–Central America trade and a projected investment need of > US$180 million.
General information
Official name
Port of San Lorenzo
Operating/commercial name
Puerto Henecán
Location
San Lorenzo, Valle department, Honduras
Approximate coordinates
13.4245° N, 87.4477° W
Maritime zone
Gulf of Fonseca / Pacific Ocean
Administrator
Empresa Nacional Portuaria (ENP)
Port type
Multi-purpose commercial
National importance
Second most important port in Honduras
Main technical specifications
Coast
Pacific
Maritime zone
Gulf of Fonseca
Operator
ENP
Terminal type
Multi-purpose
Access channel
El Henecán channel
Operation
Regional and international commercial
Average traffic
~46 vessels monthly
Operating status
Expansion required
Port infrastructure
Strategic importance
Puerto San Lorenzo represents Honduras' main outlet to the Pacific and is a fundamental logistics node for:
- International trade.
- Industrial imports.
- Agro-industrial exports.
- Connectivity with Asian markets.
Regional context — Gulf of Fonseca
The port has special relevance within the Gulf of Fonseca, sharing a strategic maritime zone with:
- Puerto La Unión.
- Other regional ports of the Central American Pacific.
Maritime access channel — El Henecán channel
One of the most important aspects of the port is access through the El Henecán channel.
This channel presents demanding technical conditions due to:
- Tidal variations.
- Specialized maneuvers.
- Operating restrictions in certain periods.
Navigation conditions
FactorTides
- Operational impact
- Direct influence on maneuvering
FactorNarrow channel
- Operational impact
- Technical navigation
FactorSpecialized access
- Operational impact
- Requires maritime coordination
FactorManeuvers
- Operational impact
- Greater operational complexity
| Factor | Operational impact |
|---|---|
| Tides | Direct influence on maneuvering |
| Narrow channel | Technical navigation |
| Specialized access | Requires maritime coordination |
| Maneuvers | Greater operational complexity |
These characteristics make:
- Arrival planning critical.
- Maritime control highly important.
- Operations heavily dependent on natural conditions.
Port movement and operation — Maritime traffic
IndicatorMonthly average
- Value
- ~46 vessels
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Monthly average | ~46 vessels |
The port maintains constant operations linked to:
- Industrial imports.
- Agricultural exports.
- Regional trade.
Operational specialization — Main cargo segments
SegmentGeneral cargo
- Products
- Multi-purpose merchandise
SegmentIndustrial
- Products
- Steel products
SegmentConstruction
- Products
- Cement
SegmentAutomotive
- Products
- Car carrier vessels
SegmentAgro-export
- Products
- Bulk sugar
SegmentAgro-industrial
- Products
- Molasses
SegmentEnergy
- Products
- Fuels
| Segment | Products |
|---|---|
| General cargo | Multi-purpose merchandise |
| Industrial | Steel products |
| Construction | Cement |
| Automotive | Car carrier vessels |
| Agro-export | Bulk sugar |
| Agro-industrial | Molasses |
| Energy | Fuels |
Notable exports — Sugar and molasses
The port plays a relevant role in:
- Bulk sugar export.
- Regional agro-industrial trade.
- Movement of molasses for international markets.
Asian imports
The port's recent growth is closely tied to the increase in imports coming from Asia, mainly from:
- China.
- South Korea.
- Japan.
- Taiwan.
Asian origin — referenced cargo types
These imports include:
- Industrial products.
- Vehicles.
- Construction materials.
- Manufactured goods.
Expansion needs — Port modernization
ConceptRequired investment
- Estimate
- > US$180 million
| Concept | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Required investment | > US$180 million |
Modernization objectives
The expansion seeks to:
- Increase operating capacity.
- Improve maritime infrastructure.
- Optimize the access channel.
- Increase regional competitiveness.
- Increase logistics efficiency.
Strategic advantages
AdvantagePacific access
- Impact
- Asia–Central America trade
AdvantageLocation in the Gulf of Fonseca
- Impact
- Regional integration
AdvantageCargo diversification
- Impact
- Operational flexibility
AdvantageAsian growth
- Impact
- Commercial expansion
AdvantageComplement to Puerto Cortés
- Impact
- Atlantic–Pacific balance
| Advantage | Impact |
|---|---|
| Pacific access | Asia–Central America trade |
| Location in the Gulf of Fonseca | Regional integration |
| Cargo diversification | Operational flexibility |
| Asian growth | Commercial expansion |
| Complement to Puerto Cortés | Atlantic–Pacific balance |
Regional comparison
PortPuerto Cortés
- Country
- Honduras
- Specialization
- Atlantic containers
PortPuerto San Lorenzo
- Country
- Honduras
- Specialization
- Pacific multi-purpose
PortPuerto de Acajutla
- Country
- El Salvador
- Specialization
- Energy and bulk
PortPuerto Quetzal
- Country
- Guatemala
- Specialization
- Bulk and mass cargo
| Port | Country | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Cortés | Honduras | Atlantic containers |
| Puerto San Lorenzo | Honduras | Pacific multi-purpose |
| Puerto de Acajutla | El Salvador | Energy and bulk |
| Puerto Quetzal | Guatemala | Bulk and mass cargo |
Coordinates and navigation
ElementLatitude
- Information
- 13.4245° N
ElementLongitude
- Information
- 87.4477° W
ElementMaritime zone
- Information
- Gulf of Fonseca
ElementAccess
- Information
- El Henecán channel
| Element | Information |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 13.4245° N |
| Longitude | 87.4477° W |
| Maritime zone | Gulf of Fonseca |
| Access | El Henecán channel |
Executive summary
Key indicatorOperator
- Value
- ENP
Key indicatorAverage traffic
- Value
- ~46 vessels/month
Key indicatorSpecialization
- Value
- Multi-purpose
Key indicatorKey exports
- Value
- Sugar and molasses
Key indicatorNotable imports
- Value
- Asia
Key indicatorAccess channel
- Value
- El Henecán
Key indicatorRequired investment
- Value
- >US$180 million
Key indicatorNational importance
- Value
- Second Honduran port
| Key indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Operator | ENP |
| Average traffic | ~46 vessels/month |
| Specialization | Multi-purpose |
| Key exports | Sugar and molasses |
| Notable imports | Asia |
| Access channel | El Henecán |
| Required investment | >US$180 million |
| National importance | Second Honduran port |