CL Prefix + Three-Character Location Code
A UN/LOCODE such as CLSAN combines the country prefix CL with the location identifier SAN. The full code identifies the registered transport location used in logistics systems.
Seaports in Chile: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Chile has 80 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Pacific trade, mineral exports, agricultural cargo and regional supply chains.
Explore Chile port codes, cargo gateways, regional roles and indicative 2025 throughput information.
Chile Port Overview
Chile is a long Pacific-facing trading nation. Its port system links mining regions, agricultural exporters, consumer markets and southern maritime communities with Asia, North America, Latin America and Europe. Indexed coverage and independent throughput league tables are separate measures.
80
Chile ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
~4.5M
Container throughput, 2025, broadly stable YoY
Chile port authority statistics · 2025
~100M t
Maritime cargo handled, 2025, subject to reporting scope
Chile Ministry of Transport · 2025
—
National berth total, 2025; no single comparable public series
Official port authorities · 2025
How many seaports does Chile have?
Chile has 80 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Chile country database snapshot for October 2026.
Which are Chile's largest container gateways?
San Antonio (UN/LOCODE CLSAN) and Valparaiso (CLVAP) are the principal central-Chile container gateways, while Lirquen (CLLIR) and Talcahuano (CLTAL) serve the Biobio industrial and forestry region.
Which Chilean regions handle the main cargo flows?
Central Chile around San Antonio and Valparaiso handles major consumer and general-cargo flows; northern ports including Arica (CLARI) and Iquique (CLIQU) support trade with the Andean interior and mining economy.
Top Chile Ports by Cargo and Container Role
The table identifies leading ports in the Ecer Freight sample. Chilean port authorities publish different scopes and units, so 2025 figures should be treated as indicative and confirmed against the relevant terminal or authority before booking.
Selected Chile gateways; 2025 container throughput, where consistently reported, is shown in million TEU.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | San Antonio | CLSAN | ~2.0 | ~+5% | Central Chile |
| — | Valparaiso | CLVAP | ~1.2 | ~+4% | Central Chile |
| — | Lirquen | CLLIR | ~0.5 | ~+3% | Biobio |
| — | Coronel | CLCOR | ~0.4 | ~+2% | Biobio |
| — | Iquique | CLIQU | ~0.4 | ~+6% | Northern Chile |
| — | Talcahuano | CLTAL | ~0.2 | ~+1% | Biobio |
| — | Arica | CLARI | ~0.2 | ~+3% | Northern Chile |
Chile Port Regions and Cargo Clusters
Port selection depends on cargo origin, inland routing, vessel service and terminal capability. The following clusters use ports and codes present in the Ecer Freight sample.
Central Chile
The central zone is the principal gateway for Santiago-area consumption, fruit exports, retail cargo and general containerized freight.
Central Chile ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valparaiso | CLVAP | Valparaiso / — | Containers, fruit and general cargo |
| San Antonio | CLSAN | San Antonio / — | Containers, agricultural and project cargo |
| Cartagena | CLCGN | Valparaiso / Valparaiso Region | Regional general cargo and support |
| Quintero | CLQTV | Quintero / — | Energy and bulk-related cargo |
Northern Chile
Northern gateways support mining supply chains, industrial cargo and cross-border distribution to Bolivia and Peru.
Northern Chile ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arica | CLARI | Arica / — | Containers, vehicles and Andean transit cargo |
| Iquique | CLIQU | Iquique / — | Containers, vehicles and regional distribution |
| Antofagasta | CLANT | Antofagasta / Antofagasta Region | Mining, project and general cargo |
| Puerto Angamos | CLANG | Puerto Angamos / — | Mining, bulk and industrial cargo |
| Caldera | CLCAL | Caldera / Atacama Region | Minerals, project and regional cargo |
Biobio and South-Central Chile
Biobio is a major forestry, agricultural, industrial and bulk-cargo cluster with several nearby terminals.
Biobio and south-central ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lirquen | CLLIR | Lirquen / — | Containers, forestry and general cargo |
| Talcahuano | CLTAL | Talcahuano / — | Industrial, fishing and general cargo |
| San Vicente | CLSVE | San Vicente / — | Containers, forestry and food products |
| Coronel | CLCOR | Coronel / — | Containers, forestry and bulk cargo |
| Puerto Montt | CLPMO | Puerto Montt / — | Salmon, food products and regional cargo |
Patagonia and Southern Chile
Southern ports serve fisheries, aquaculture, energy, coastal distribution and remote communities, often with more specialized or seasonal operations.
Southern and Patagonia ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Arenas | CLPUQ | Punta Arenas / — | Regional, energy and project cargo |
| Puerto Bories | CLPBO | Puerto Bories / — | Regional and specialized cargo |
| Puerto Natales | CLPNA | Puerto Natales / — | Coastal and regional supply cargo |
| Ancud | CLACD | Ancud / — | Island, fishery and coastal cargo |
| Castro | CLWCA | Castro / — | Aquaculture and regional cargo |
Chile Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
Chile port identifiers generally use the country prefix CL followed by a three-character location code. The code used on a booking should be checked against the actual terminal, carrier schedule and customs documentation.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Differences
A city or port-area code may not identify a specific berth or terminal operator. Shipping instructions should therefore confirm terminal naming, facility codes and carrier routing separately.
How to Verify a Chile Port Code
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE register, the carrier booking confirmation and the Ecer Freight port directory.
Shipping from Chile: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative port-to-port ranges. Actual schedules vary by vessel rotation, transshipment, season, congestion, equipment availability and final inland destination.
Chile to East Asia
A major lane for copper-related cargo, fruit, food products, retail imports and manufactured goods.
Chile to North America
Services connect central Chile with the US West Coast, Mexico and selected east-coast gateways, commonly with direct or transshipment options.
Chile to Latin America
Pacific South American services support regional distribution, project cargo and trade with Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Central America.
Chile to Europe
Europe-bound cargo generally moves through South Atlantic or Panama-linked networks, with service design depending on the carrier and season.
Sources and Methodology
The page separates first-party indexed coverage from official or widely reported operational statistics. Figures are reviewed quarterly and may use different port, terminal, cargo or calendar-year scopes.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party October 2026 snapshot containing 80 Chile ports and terminals.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — reference source for country prefixes and registered transport-location codes.
- Chile Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications — national transport context and maritime-sector reporting, subject to publication scope.
- DIRECTEMAR — Chilean maritime authority information and port-sector references.
- Puerto San Antonio and relevant Chilean port authorities — terminal and cargo information used for cross-checking operational context.
Chile Port FAQ
How many seaports does Chile have?
Chile has 80 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 database snapshot.
What is the largest container port in Chile?
San Antonio, code CLSAN, is generally regarded as Chile's leading container gateway by current port-system role, with Valparaiso, code CLVAP, also a major central-Chile gateway.
What is the UN/LOCODE for San Antonio, Chile?
The Ecer Freight sample lists San Antonio as CLSAN. The carrier and terminal should still confirm the precise facility for each shipment.
Which regions are most important for Chile sea freight?
Central Chile, northern mining and Andean-trade corridors, and the Biobio industrial and forestry cluster are the principal commercial regions. Southern ports serve aquaculture, fisheries and regional supply chains.
How current are the Chile port figures?
The indexed-port count is an October 2026 first-party snapshot. Throughput references target the most recent complete reporting year, 2025, and remain subject to official revisions and differing statistical scopes.
Can a forwarder quote FCL or LCL shipping from Chile?
Yes. FCL and LCL pricing depends on origin, destination, commodity, dimensions, container type, season, free time and current carrier space. Indicative quote tools are available through the FCL and LCL rate links on this page.
Editorial note: Chile port codes and indexed coverage are maintained from the Ecer Freight database. Throughput and cargo context are cross-checked against Chilean maritime, transport and port-authority publications where available. Port listings and statistical references are reviewed quarterly; schedules, terminal availability and carrier service patterns remain subject to confirmation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Chile: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact