Bahamas has 25 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Caribbean gateway, cruise, transshipment and regional supply-chain activity.
Review port-code coverage, available trade data and practical shipping considerations for Bahamas.
Bahamas is a Caribbean maritime economy where port activity is concentrated around international gateways, cruise traffic, domestic distribution and transshipment. Indexed coverage and international throughput rankings are separate measures and should not be treated as equivalent.
How many seaports does Bahamas have?
Bahamas has 25 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of the October 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a statutory count of every landing, marina or private facility.
Which indexed port records are listed first?
The supplied indexed records begin with Jamestown (SHSHN), Georgetown Sh (SHASI), Jamestown in Saint Helena (SHJAM), Rupert's Bay (SHRPT) and Tristan Da Cunha (SHTDC). Their codes should be verified before booking because the supplied records do not correspond to the BS UN/LOCODE prefix.
Which areas are important for Bahamas cargo?
The principal commercial cargo geography is generally centred on New Providence and Grand Bahama, with links to the United States, the Caribbean and transshipment services. Port selection, sailing frequency and terminal availability remain subject to confirmation.
The table below uses only the supplied database sample. No reliable, directly comparable 2025 container-throughput league figures were identified for these records; therefore rank, throughput and YoY fields are shown together as unavailable rather than inferred.
Indexed records supplied for the Bahamas page; international ranking data requires port-level source confirmation.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Jamestown | SHSHN | — | — | Indexed sample |
| — | Georgetown Sh | SHASI | — | — | Indexed sample |
| — | Jamestown | SHJAM | — | — | Indexed sample |
| — | Rupert's Bay | SHRPT | — | — | Indexed sample |
| — | Tristan Da Cunha | SHTDC | — | — | Indexed sample |
Bahamas cargo planning typically begins with the principal commercial gateways serving New Providence and Grand Bahama. The supplied sample does not include a BS-coded Nassau or Freeport record, so those gateways are not inserted into the code table.
Supplied indexed records associated with gateway review
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | SHSHN | Jamestown / — | Record requiring code and country validation |
| Georgetown Sh | SHASI | Georgetown Sh / — | Record requiring code and country validation |
Inter-island distribution, feeder services and maritime support are important for an archipelagic country. Actual routing depends on cargo type, draft, terminal equipment and the confirmed port code.
Additional supplied records for validation
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | SHJAM | Saint Helena / — | Record requiring country assignment review |
| Rupert's Bay | SHRPT | Rupert's Bay / — | Record requiring country assignment review |
Remote maritime locations can have limited sailing frequency, restricted handling capacity and special documentation requirements. They should not be assumed to be commercial Bahamas gateways without a booking-level verification.
Supplied remote-location record
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tristan Da Cunha | SHTDC | Tristan Da Cunha / — | Remote-access maritime record requiring validation |
A Bahamas UN/LOCODE normally uses the country prefix BS followed by a three-character location identifier. The supplied sample contains SH-prefixed records, so each code should be checked against the current UNECE register before use.
A location code may identify a city, harbour, port area or specific terminal. Carriers and forwarders may require the exact facility code, not only the broader city location, for bills of lading and shipping instructions.
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE database and the carrier booking system, then cross-check the current Ecer Freight port directory. Confirm the country prefix, facility name and accepted booking location before cargo release.
Bahamas shipping is typically influenced by proximity to the United States, Caribbean feeder networks and transshipment patterns. Transit times are indicative only and depend on the confirmed origin, destination, service rotation, customs clearance and weather.
The United States is generally the most important nearby trading partner for containerised imports, exports and replenishment cargo.
Feeder and regional services connect Bahamas cargo with Caribbean markets and island distribution points.
European cargo commonly moves through a North American or Caribbean transshipment hub before the ocean leg is completed.
Asia-bound and Asia-origin cargo generally uses transshipment through major US, Caribbean or Mediterranean-connected networks.
This page separates Ecer Freight indexed coverage from official national statistics and international port rankings. Figures are retained only where the source definition and reference year are sufficiently clear.
Editorial note: This Bahamas guide combines the Ecer Freight port-directory snapshot with publicly available maritime, government and international reference sources. Indexed coverage is reviewed with the database snapshot, while official statistics, port facilities and carrier schedules are updated on their own publication cycles and should be reconfirmed before shipment.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Bahamas: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact
