Port Overview

Puerto Cortés is handling containers, dry bulk and liquid bulk as well as small amounts of general cargo.

The existing container terminal suffers from an unsuitable layout (long, narrow shape), bureaucratic procedures and – as one of the results of ports procedures a high volume of internal movements generated by the need to open containers for inspection. This checking process has to be coordinated by the agency between operator allocating the container at the inspection site, customs and quarantine (veterinary/agriculture) inspectors. The two governmental agencies have to be present at the same time.

The dry bulk terminal is operated in a professional way by Terminal Especializada de Honduras. Constraints are the low berthing priority of bulk vessels, limited berth space due to reduced availability of new berth and use of berth for ENP-activities as import of liquid bulk (Molasses).

Import of grain by truck (currently no sacking facilities are used).

 

Port website: http://www.enp.hn/web/puerto-cortes.html

Very basic port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com, http://ports.com, http://www.worldportsource.com/ , we recommend www.marinetraffic.com to get an idea of what kind of vessels is using the port.

 

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Terminal Especializada de Honduras (TEH), a private operator, is handling solid bulk at and around berth 3b. Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana (OPC), also a private operator, is handling containers at berth 5. 

Port Performance

Terminal Especializada de Honduras (TEH) has installed 5 silos with a capacity of 8,000 t each close to berth 3b for the short-term storage of organic solid bulk (maize, soya, throughput approx. 120,000 t/a). The silos are connected to the berth by 2 conveyor belts. Cargo is discharged with grabs and chutes owned by TEH and mobile cranes or vessel’s gear (whatever is faster) onto the conveyor belts and/or directly onto trucks.

Non-organic bulk (fertilizer, industrial salt and carbon, throughput approx. 80,000 t/a) is loaded onto trucks and can be stored in a warehouse with 20,000 t capacity and a temporary warehouse with 4,000 t capacity.

The Construction of berth 3a is almost completed and already used for bulk operations using ship’s gear and trucks. Berth 4 is also used for bulk operations when available.

Bulk vessels have a medium turnaround time of 4 days including waiting time for berth space and the obligatory tugboats. The higher priority of fuel causes delays as liquid bulk is handled also on berth 3. The higher priority of fuel and containers affects the availability of tugs and berthing space.

 

The offices of Empresa Nacional Portuaria are generally open between 07:00 and 16:00 hrs, on Fridays between 07:30 and 14:30 hrs.

Berthing Specifications

 

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

Is the port equipment managed by the government or privately? Port handling equipment is owned and operated privately. Conditions vary.

 

Container Facilities

The existing container terminal suffers from an unsuitable layout (long, narrow shape prolonging the internal transport distances) and a high volume of internal movements generated by the need to open containers for inspection. This checking process has to be coordinated by the agency between operator allocating the container at the inspection site, customs and quarantine (veterinary / agriculture) inspectors. The two governmental agencies have to be present at the same time. Co-ordination of the inspections is reported to be suboptimal. Import delays for containers vary widely depending on contents, quality of documentation and general circumstances – up to 30 days are reported, routine operations take 10 to 15 days.

Fumigated containers can not be moved on for the next 72 hours.

The planned port extension will provide a more suitable topography. 

 

 

Customs Guidance

The usual red/yellow/green channel is established. Unprocessed agricultural products will also be inspected by the quarantine office – even if classified as green channel by customs.

There are substantial delays in the import process at Puerto Cortes which call for a separate assessment of regulations, activities, formalities and co-operation of the parties involved. E.g.: co-ordination of container inspection between customs, quarantine and OPC (allocating the containers at the inspection site) is reported to be suboptimal.

 

In an emergency scenario the government will facilitate Import of relief cargo by presidential decree. Customs processes might be completely omitted, if the goods are consigned to the national contingency organisation COPECO. 

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

Berth 4 is used for general cargo operations and situated next to the port’s largest warehouse. Cargo is generally moved with vessel’s gear.

Grain and Bulk Handling

Terminal Especializada de Honduras (TEH) has installed 5 silos with a capacity of 8,000 t each close to berth 3b for the short-term storage of organic solid bulk (maize, soya, throughput approx. 120,000 t/a). The silos are connected to the berth by 2 conveyor belts. Cargo is discharged with grabs and chutes owned by TEH and mobile cranes or vessel’s gear (whatever is faster) onto the conveyor belts and/or directly onto trucks.

Non-organic bulk (fertilizer, industrial salt and carbon, throughput approx. 80,000 t/a) is loaded onto trucks and can be stored in a warehouse with 20,000 t capacity and a temporary warehouse with 4,000 t capacity.

The Construction of berth 3a is almost completed and already used for bulk operations using ship’s gear and trucks. Berth 4 is also used for bulk operations when available.

At the time of the assessment no bagging equipment was available.

Main Storage Terminal

 

Stevedoring

Stevedoring is supplied by the port operators.

Hinterland Information

All cargo is trucked out of the port. Road to San Pedro Sula (60 km) and Tegucigalpa (320 km) in good condition.

Port Security

Level of port security can be described as normal.

 

 

 

Port Overview

The Port of Lempira, situated at the southern shore of the Caratasca lagoon is the largest settlement in the area and serves as point of entry for goods to be distributed in the eastern part of the department of Mosquitia. Vessels calling at Lempira have to pass the shallow passage from open sea into the Lagoon, which limits the size of vessel used to landing crafts and coastal vessels (actually comparable to medium sized fishing vessels) up to 50 m length, with a load capacity up to approx. 150 t.

The passage into the lagoon shifts constantly, a boat sounding the water depth will guide the vessel through the channel. Daylight and a relatively calm sea is necessary for the manoeuvre, the vessel’s draught is limited to 2.4 m at low tide (tide is given to be 0.5 to 0.75 m).

If the vessel’s draught exceeds this limit and weather permits, lightering will take place at anchor outside the lagoon.

Unloading takes place:

• At anchorage close to Lempira’s small boat and passenger jetty (N 15° 16’ 10”, W 083° 46’ 07”). Cargo is man-hauled into boats and landed.
• At the small roro-jetty at La Piur (N 15° 12’ 20, W 083° 46’ 05”), 15 km out of town towards the South situated in the Laguna Wahanta. A barrier limits the entry to 2,1 m draught.
• The channel south of Kaukira (N 15° 18’ 55”, W 083° 35’ 33”).

At Piur and Kaukira vessels equipped with cranes (currently 2 vessels of the vessels calling Lempira) can use these to lift heavier items ashore. Cargo is mostly transported onward on the extensive network of lagoons, channels and rivers, weather permitting also along the coastline. Sea-going fishing boats, propelled by outboard engines, can carry up to 1.5 to of cargo. Larger boats are also used. A dirt track connects Lempira to some inland settlements and to the border with Nicaragua – though there is currently no bridge crossing the Rio Coco.

Small warehouses or warehouse space can be rented from local traders at Lempira and Kaukira, WFP is using a temporary structure at Lempira.

No website, no key port information is currently supplied by maritime internet sources. 

 

Port Picture

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

WFP and UNDP maintain local representatives. 

Port Performance

Of the three discharging sites, operations at Puerto Lempira are the most basic. Very small scale operations, depending on vessel’s gear, landing crafts and manual labour.

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

There are only negligible port charges. Man-hauling cargo is usually charged per item to the vessel, loading and discharging cost are included in the transport cost payable to the shipping company.

Berthing Specifications

The approach to the loading/discharging sites is restricted by the lagoon entrances: Laguna de Caratasca 2.5 m for Lempira and Kaukira, 2.1 m to approach El Piur.

Tide is given 0.5 to 0.75 m. 

General Cargo Handling Berths

None.

Port Handling Equipment

Is the port equipment managed by the government or privately? 

None.

Container Facilities

None.

Customs Guidance

Import cargo are usually transhipped from another port of entry in Honduras (usually La Ceiba), customs are cleared there. There is, however, a local customs office, office hours Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 16:00 hrs, Friday 09:00 to 15:00 hrs.

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

No Multipurpose Terminal existing.

Main Storage Terminal

No Main Storage Terminal existing. WFP is maintaining a provisional storage at Lempira’s military compound, warehouse space can be rented from local traders.

Stevedoring

Facilitated by the vessel’s owner.

Hinterland Information

Special consideration should be given to the availability of outboard engine fuel in the Gracias a Díos department. The communities along the beach, the rivers and channels are accessed by outboard-driven boat. Consequently sufficient quantities of fuel should be stored at all times to enable the onward transport from Puerto Lempira - using lagoons, rivers and channels - which depends on small boats and launches.

Unpaved roads lead to the border with Nicaragua (currently no bridges in existence, trading with Leimus reported) and Mocarón

Port Security

All loading and discharging activities are overseen by the military. 

 

 

The non operative port of La Union offers high potential as an alternative or additional container terminal serving the South of Honduras: 

2.1.2 El Salvador Port of La Unión