The shipping platform

Location: Puerto Quetzal is situated on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, SE of San Jose. General overview: Puerto Quetzal, a modern port, is the first multipurpose Guatemalan port on the Pacific Ocean and is located 100km from the capital, Guatemala City. The harbour is a natural lagoon protected by breakwaters; the major being 1,140m in length; the minor being 307m in length; also a N dyke of 367m. The main commercial dock is situated in the eastern part of the harbour. The W basin houses a cruise jetty, with a power station on its N side and an LPG terminal on the S side. Exports consist mainly of sugar and coffee. Imports are grain (corn, wheat, soya), fertilisers and cement in bulk, general cargo and containers. Vessels use their own cargo handling gear. Traffic figures: Approx 5,916,589t of cargo, 948 vessels, 16,808 passengers and 173,864TEU are handled annually. Load line zone: North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29. Max size: LOA 280m, beam 32m, draught 10.5m.