AR Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
In a UN/LOCODE structure, AR identifies Argentina and the following three characters identify the registered location. For example, ARBUE identifies Buenos Aires in the Ecer Freight port directory.
Seaports in Argentina: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Argentina has 72 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting agricultural exports, energy cargo, regional manufacturing supply chains and South Atlantic trade.
Explore Argentina port codes, cargo gateways, regional port clusters and indicative ocean-freight routes for 2026 planning.
Argentina Port Overview
Argentina’s port system combines maritime terminals on the Río de la Plata and Atlantic coast with inland and river-connected facilities on the Paraná and Uruguay waterways. Port selection depends on cargo type, draft, inland origin, vessel schedule and customs requirements.
72
Argentina ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National seaborne cargo volume, 2025; YoY change not published in the source set
Official national statistics · 2025
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Container throughput in TEU, 2025; YoY change not published in the source set
Port and transport authorities · 2025
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Commercial berths nationwide, 2025; YoY change not published in the source set
Port authority records · 2025
How many seaports does Argentina have?
Argentina has 72 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 country database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage count, not a national legal classification of every port facility.
What is Argentina’s principal container gateway?
Buenos Aires, UN/LOCODE ARBUE, is generally Argentina’s principal container gateway and a key connection for Greater Buenos Aires cargo, subject to terminal allocation and carrier schedules.
Which regions handle Argentina’s main cargo flows?
The Río de la Plata and Paraná corridor lead national cargo activity, with Buenos Aires (ARBUE), Rosario (ARROS) and San Lorenzo (ARSLO) supporting containerized, agricultural and industrial flows. Bahía Blanca (ARBHI) and Atlantic Patagonia ports serve bulk, energy, mineral, fishing and project cargo.
Top Ports in Argentina
The following working list uses the highest-priority Argentina records in the Ecer Freight port sample. A globally comparable 2025 TEU league-table rank, throughput figure and year-on-year change are shown only where a consistent public port-level series is available.
Selected Argentina ports and terminals for 2025 planning
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Buenos Aires | ARBUE | — | — | Río de la Plata |
| — | Rosario | ARROS | — | — | Paraná River corridor |
| — | San Lprenz0 | ARSLO | — | — | Paraná River corridor |
| — | Zarate, Ar | ARZAR | — | — | Lower Paraná |
| — | La Plata | ARLPG | — | — | Río de la Plata |
| — | Bahia Blanca | ARBHI | — | — | Buenos Aires Province |
| — | Puerto Madryn | ARPMA | — | — | Patagonia |
| — | Ushuaia | ARUSH | — | — | Tierra del Fuego |
Argentina Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Río de la Plata and Buenos Aires Province
This cluster supports the country’s principal container gateway, industrial supply chains, automotive cargo, general cargo and export flows connected with the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
Selected Río de la Plata and Buenos Aires Province ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | ARBUE | Buenos Aires / — | Containers, general cargo and automotive logistics |
| Zarate, Ar | ARZAR | Zarate / — | Vehicles, containers, project and general cargo |
| La Plata | ARLPG | La Plata / — | Containers, liquid bulk and industrial cargo |
| Quequen | ARQUE | Buenos Aires / — | Grain, oilseed and agricultural bulk exports |
| Mar Del Plata | ARMDQ | Mar Del Plata / — | Fishing, food products and regional general cargo |
Paraná River and Inland Export Corridor
The Paraná corridor links agricultural production and industrial centers with export terminals on the river system. Draft, river conditions, berth availability and barge or truck connections should be confirmed before booking.
Selected Paraná and connected river ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosario | ARROS | Rosario / — | Grain, oilseed products, bulk and containers |
| San Lprenz0 | ARSLO | — / — | Agri-bulk, liquid bulk and industrial cargo |
| San Nicolas De Los Arroyos | ARSNS | San Nicolas De Los Arroyos / — | Steel, minerals, project and general cargo |
| San Pedro | ARSPD | San Pedro / — | Agricultural products and general cargo |
| Santa Fe | ARSFE | Santa Fe / — | River-linked bulk, containers and regional cargo |
| Puerto Concepcion Del Uruguay | ARCON | Puerto Concepcion Del Uruguay / — | Forest products, agricultural and general cargo |
Atlantic Patagonia and Southern Gateways
Patagonian ports support energy, minerals, fishing, aluminum, project cargo and regional supplies. Seasonal weather, sailing frequency and inland distances can materially affect transit planning.
Selected Atlantic Patagonia ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Madryn | ARPMA | Municipio De Puerto Madryn / — | Aluminum, project cargo, fishing and general cargo |
| Puerto Deseado | ARPDE | Santa Cruz Province / — | Fishing, minerals and regional bulk cargo |
| San Antonio Este | ARSAE | San Antonio Este / — | Fruit, agricultural exports and general cargo |
| Bahia Blanca | ARBHI | Bahia Blanca / — | Grain, petrochemicals, energy and bulk cargo |
| Ushuaia | ARUSH | Ushuaia / — | Regional supplies, project cargo and cruise logistics |
| Rio Gallegos | ARRGL | Rio Gallegos / — | Energy support, general cargo and regional supplies |
Argentina Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
Argentina port identifiers generally use the AR country prefix followed by a three-character location code. Booking documents should be checked against the exact terminal, city and carrier routing rather than relying on a shortened place name.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Differences
A city-level code may cover a wider port area, while a terminal or facility record can be used operationally for a specific loading point. The exact code should match the bill of lading, booking confirmation and carrier system.
How to Verify an Argentina Port Code
Cross-check the location with UNECE and compare it with the Ecer Freight port directory. Confirm spelling, city, terminal and service availability before cargo handover.
Shipping from Argentina: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative planning ranges only. Actual schedules vary with transshipment, seasonality, port rotation, equipment availability, customs clearance and carrier confirmation.
Argentina to East Asia
A major route for agricultural exports, food products, industrial inputs and consumer goods, commonly involving transshipment or multi-port South Atlantic rotations.
Argentina to Europe
European services carry refrigerated, agricultural, food, chemical and general cargo, with routing dependent on the chosen Atlantic service and transshipment hub.
Argentina to North America
This lane supports food, agricultural, chemical, automotive and manufactured cargo, with direct or transshipment options subject to carrier network design.
Argentina to South America
Short-sea and regional services connect Argentina with Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay-linked logistics and other South American markets, subject to sailing frequency.
Data Methodology and Sources
Port coverage, operational descriptions and trade-lane guidance are separated from official national statistics. Indexed coverage reflects the Ecer Freight database and should not be interpreted as a government count of all legally recognized facilities.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party database snapshot dated Nov 2026, containing 72 Argentina port and terminal records.
- UNECE — reference framework for UN/LOCODE structure and location-code verification.
- Government of Argentina — national transport, customs and official statistical context where applicable.
- INDEC — official Argentine statistical reference for trade and economic indicators.
- Argentina port authorities and transport administration — port infrastructure and operational context, subject to publication and revision.
Argentina Port FAQ
How many seaports does Argentina have?
Argentina has 72 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. The figure represents indexed coverage and is not necessarily a complete legal inventory of every facility.
What is the largest or busiest port in Argentina?
Buenos Aires (ARBUE) is generally regarded as Argentina’s leading container gateway. Cargo leadership can differ by commodity, with Rosario (ARROS), San Lorenzo (ARSLO) and Bahia Blanca (ARBHI) important for agricultural, industrial, energy and bulk flows.
What is the UN/LOCODE for Buenos Aires?
The Argentina port record for Buenos Aires in the Ecer Freight sample is ARBUE. The exact terminal and booking location should still be verified with the carrier and shipping documents.
Which regions are important for Argentina sea freight?
The Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Paraná River corridor and Atlantic Patagonia are the principal regional clusters covered on this page. Their cargo roles range from containers and general cargo to grain, energy, minerals, fishing and project cargo.
Are the Argentina port figures current?
The Ecer Freight coverage count is based on a Nov 2026 snapshot. The latest complete statistical reference year used for this page is 2025, while schedules, terminal availability and port performance can change and require operational confirmation.
How can a shipment from Argentina be quoted?
Provide origin and destination, commodity, container type, weight, dimensions, ready date and any temperature or hazardous-cargo requirements. FCL and LCL options can then be compared through the relevant Ecer Freight rate pages.
Editorial note: Argentina port records and indexed coverage are maintained from Ecer Freight’s first-party database and reviewed against available official, port-authority and international reference sources. The country page is reviewed quarterly; sailing schedules, terminal operations, cargo volumes and regulatory requirements remain subject to confirmation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Argentina: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact