Regional Overview:
Latin America and South America play a vital role in global maritime logistics, especially as exporters of agricultural goods, mining resources, and energy commodities. While Brazil and Mexico dominate in terms of volume, countries like Panama and Colombia have developed strategic transshipment hubs. Many ports in the region face infrastructure and efficiency challenges but are actively investing in modernization to stay competitive in global trade.
1. Port of Colón (Colón Container Terminal, Panama)
Located on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, Colón is one of the most important transshipment hubs in the Americas. It serves as a redistribution point for cargo between North, South America, and Asia.
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Annual Container Volume: 3.5 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Transshipment containers, electronics, manufactured goods
2. Port of Balboa (Panama City, Panama)
Balboa is situated on the Pacific end of the Panama Canal and complements Colón in serving global shipping routes.
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Annual Container Volume: 2.4 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Transshipment, consumer goods, electronics
3. Port of Santos (São Paulo, Brazil)
Santos is the busiest port in South America and the main gateway for Brazilian exports, especially agricultural products.
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Annual Container Volume: 5.2 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Soybeans, sugar, meat, coffee
4. Port of Manzanillo (Colima, Mexico)
The busiest container port in Mexico, Manzanillo connects Pacific trade routes with Mexico's industrial heartland.
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Annual Container Volume: 3.4 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Electronics, cars, machinery
5. Port of Lázaro Cárdenas (Michoacán, Mexico)
Another major Mexican Pacific port, Lázaro Cárdenas is designed for handling large volumes and is expanding as a logistics hub.
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Annual Container Volume: 2.1 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Steel, vehicles, industrial equipment
6. Port of Cartagena (Colombia)
Cartagena is one of the fastest-growing ports in the region, specializing in container transshipment and exports.
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Annual Container Volume: 3.3 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Coffee, flowers, bananas, chemicals
7. Port of Callao (Lima, Peru)
The main seaport of Peru, Callao handles most of the country's imports and exports.
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Annual Container Volume: 2.6 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Copper, minerals, fishmeal, industrial goods
8. Port of Guayaquil (Ecuador)
Ecuador’s largest and most important port, especially for exports of bananas and shrimp.
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Annual Container Volume: 2.2 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Bananas, seafood, cocoa
9. Port of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
A historic port with a strong focus on refrigerated and containerized exports from Argentina’s agricultural sector.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.1 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Beef, grains, wine, fruits
10. Port of Itajaí (Brazil)
A fast-growing port in southern Brazil, notable for its role in frozen meat and chicken exports.
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Annual Container Volume: 1.05 million TEUs
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Primary Cargo: Poultry, pork, machinery