NI Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
A Nicaragua UN/LOCODE begins with the country prefix NI and is followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples in the indexed sample include NICOR for Corinto and NIELB for El Bluff.
Seaports in Nicaragua: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Nicaragua has 17 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Pacific and Caribbean maritime connections as well as inland logistics flows.
Review Nicaragua port codes, regional cargo gateways and indicative shipping lanes for 2026 planning.
Nicaragua Port Overview
Nicaragua has maritime gateways on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Corinto is the principal Pacific commercial port, while Caribbean facilities such as Bluefields and El Bluff serve more localized and regional cargo requirements. Ecer Freight indexed coverage is separate from national throughput or international port-ranking statistics.
17
Nicaragua ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National port cargo throughput in tonnes, 2025; YoY not publicly consolidated
MTI 2025 public data
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National container throughput in TEU, 2025; YoY not publicly consolidated
MTI 2025 public data
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National commercial berth count, 2025; YoY not publicly consolidated
MTI 2025 public data
How many seaports does Nicaragua have?
Nicaragua has 17 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nicaragua port database snapshot for November 2026. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a national legal inventory.
What is Nicaragua's largest or busiest commercial port?
Corinto is generally regarded as Nicaragua's principal Pacific commercial port and the country's leading general cargo gateway. The indexed UN/LOCODE is NICOR.
Which regions handle Nicaragua's main maritime cargo?
The western Pacific corridor centered on Corinto and Puerto Sandino handles the most visible commercial flows, while Bluefields and El Bluff support Caribbean-side and regional cargo activity.
Top Nicaragua Ports by Commercial Relevance
The following indexed facilities are ordered by Ecer Freight business activity coverage. Nicaragua does not publish a consistently comparable public league table with verified 2025 TEU and year-on-year figures for each listed facility; therefore, unavailable ranking metrics are shown together as dashes rather than estimated.
Indexed port and terminal sample, with 2025 throughput fields shown only where a comparable public figure is available.
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Managua | NIMGA | — | — | Central inland logistics |
| — | Corinto | NICOR | — | — | Pacific coast |
| — | Tipitapa | NITPA | — | — | Central inland logistics |
| — | Corinto | NICIO | — | — | Pacific coast |
| — | Masaya | NIMAS | — | — | Central Pacific corridor |
| — | San Juan Del Sur | NISJS | — | — | South Pacific coast |
| — | Niquinohomo | NINQO | — | — | Central Pacific corridor |
| — | El Bluff | NIELB | — | — | Caribbean coast |
Nicaragua Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Pacific Commercial Corridor
The Pacific side is the principal maritime gateway for Nicaragua's international general cargo and containerized supply chains, with Corinto serving as the key commercial reference point.
Pacific coast and adjacent cargo locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corinto | NICOR | Chinandega / — | Commercial cargo, containers and bulk flows |
| Corinto | NICIO | Corinto / — | Port-area operational reference |
| Puerto Sandino | NIPSA | Puerto Sandino / — | Bulk, project and Pacific cargo support |
| San Juan Del Sur | NISJS | San Juan Del Sur / — | Coastal, specialized and cruise-related activity |
Central Inland Logistics Cluster
Managua, Tipitapa, Masaya and Niquinohomo are inland or near-inland locations in the indexed database. They may appear in routing, customs, consolidation or delivery planning even when the ocean leg uses a Pacific gateway.
Inland and near-inland logistics references
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managua | NIMGA | Managua / — | Central distribution and inland cargo planning |
| Tipitapa | NITPA | Tipitapa / — | Inland consolidation and delivery flows |
| Masaya | NIMAS | Masaya / — | Regional distribution and cargo origin activity |
| Niquinohomo | NINQO | Niquinohomo / — | Local logistics and inland cargo reference |
Caribbean Coast
The Caribbean coast provides an alternative maritime geography for eastern Nicaragua. Draft, road, river and service availability should be checked for each shipment before booking.
Caribbean-side port and terminal references
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Bluff | NIELB | El Bluff / — | Caribbean coastal and regional cargo |
| Bluefields | NIBEF | Bluefields / — | Regional supply, coastal and project cargo |
| Puerto Cabezas | NIPUZ | Puerto Cabezas / — | Caribbean-side local and regional cargo |
| Bluefields, Ni | NIBLU | Bluefields / — | Bluefields-area operational reference |
Nicaragua Port Codes Explained
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
Different codes may identify a city, port area or operational location. For example, the sample includes both NICOR and NICIO for Corinto-related records. The exact facility should be confirmed against the booking, customs and carrier instructions.
How to Verify a Nicaragua Port Code
Check the location against the UNECE UN/LOCODE framework, then compare it with the Ecer Freight Port Codes directory and the carrier's routing documents.
Shipping from Nicaragua: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative planning ranges only. Actual schedules depend on port selection, transshipment, vessel rotation, customs clearance and seasonal operating conditions.
Nicaragua to the United States
Pacific cargo commonly connects through Corinto, with direct or transshipment options depending on the final United States gateway and carrier service.
Nicaragua to Mexico and Central America
Regional services may use Pacific feeder, short-sea or transshipment connections for containerized and general cargo.
Nicaragua to Asia
Asia-bound shipments normally require a connecting service through a larger Pacific hub, with equipment and sailing frequency varying by season.
Caribbean and Regional Supply Routes
Eastern Nicaragua may use Caribbean-side facilities for local supply chains, coastal cargo and selected regional movements.
Data Sources and Methodology
Port coverage, code presentation and commercial relevance are separated from national cargo statistics and international TEU league tables. Figures are included only where a comparable public source is available.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 17 Nicaragua ports and terminals, database snapshot November 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- Nicaragua Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure — official transport and port-sector context; 2025 figures are used where publicly consolidated.
- Central Bank of Nicaragua — macroeconomic and trade context used for cross-checking national logistics commentary.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — navigational and geographic reference context for maritime locations.
Nicaragua Seaport FAQ
How many seaports does Nicaragua have?
Nicaragua has 17 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of the November 2026 database snapshot. The figure describes Ecer Freight coverage and should not be treated as a statutory national port count.
What is the main commercial port in Nicaragua?
Corinto is generally Nicaragua's main Pacific commercial gateway. Ecer Freight records Corinto under NICOR and also includes the Corinto-related location code NICIO.
What does the NI prefix mean in a port code?
The prefix NI identifies Nicaragua in the UN/LOCODE system. The following three characters identify the relevant city, port area or location.
Which Nicaragua regions are relevant for ocean freight?
The Pacific commercial corridor around Corinto and Puerto Sandino is the main reference for international ocean freight. Bluefields, El Bluff and Puerto Cabezas represent Caribbean-side options with more localized or regional operating profiles.
Are Nicaragua port throughput figures available for 2025?
Some official transport and port information is available, but a consistently consolidated, facility-by-facility 2025 TEU and year-on-year league table is not publicly available for every indexed location. Unverified estimates are therefore not inserted.
Can inland locations such as Managua appear in a Nicaragua port search?
Yes. Ecer Freight coverage can include inland logistics and delivery references alongside ocean gateways. Managua and Tipitapa may be relevant to consolidation, customs or final-delivery planning even when the ocean leg uses Corinto.
How can a shipper request a Nicaragua sea-freight quote?
Shippers can compare indicative FCL sea-freight rates or LCL sea-freight rates. Final pricing remains subject to cargo details, equipment, routing, sailing schedule, surcharges and destination requirements.
Editorial note: Nicaragua port codes and indexed locations are maintained from the Ecer Freight Ports Database and checked against public maritime, transport and trade references. Data snapshots are reviewed quarterly; schedules, service coverage, throughput and operating conditions remain subject to confirmation with carriers, terminals and relevant authorities.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Nicaragua: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact