PACTB Port Code Lookup
Total 1 ports of PACTB
Cristobal Port is the seaport of Colon, in the city of Colonin Panama. Overseas routes include Central and South America, Port code is PACTB.
Port Overview · UN/LOCODE PACTB
Cristobal Port, Colon, Panama
Cristobal is a seaport on Panama’s Atlantic coast at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal. Located in Colon, it functions as a gateway and interchange point for containerized, general and project cargo moving between Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific trade flows. The supplied port record describes a 143-hectare facility with container and multipurpose berths, storage areas, bunkering and ship-repair services. Our service team can coordinate ocean booking, documentation, transshipment planning and inland delivery, while final berth, cut-off, equipment and gate arrangements must be confirmed for each shipment.
| Port code | PACTB |
|---|---|
| Location | Colon, Panama · Atlantic/Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal |
| Coordinates | 9.3451023, -79.9070740 |
| Port profile | Seaport serving containerized, multipurpose and general cargo operations |
| Recorded facility data | 143 hectares; 2 container berths, 7 multipurpose berths and 2 additional berths; combined berth length of 3,750 m |
The figures above are reproduced from the supplied PACTB port record. Berth availability, draft restrictions, terminal windows and operating procedures are subject to current carrier and terminal confirmation.
Key Highlights
What Matters for Freight Decisions
Canal-adjacent Atlantic position
The port’s location supports routing decisions involving Caribbean, Atlantic and Panama Canal-connected cargo flows, but the actual service pattern depends on the booked carrier and voyage plan.
Mixed cargo capability
Container, multipurpose and general cargo operations allow different handling plans; cargo type, dimensions and handling equipment should be declared before booking.
Deep-draft operating profile
The supplied record states alongside depths from 12 m to over 14 m and a recorded maximum draft of 14.9 m. Vessel and berth suitability still require voyage-specific confirmation.
Colon logistics ecosystem
Colon is a natural base for regional distribution, consolidation, deconsolidation and inland delivery planning, particularly where cargo requires onward movement within Panama or the wider Caribbean market.
Facilities & Services
Handling and Connectivity Scope
- Container handling: The supplied record identifies two container berths and designated areas for containerized cargo. Container acceptance, equipment availability and terminal receiving windows must be checked against the booking.
- Multipurpose and general cargo: Seven multipurpose berths and two additional berths are recorded, supporting project, breakbulk and general cargo planning subject to cargo-specific handling approval.
- Storage and cargo staging: Storage areas are described in the port record. Our service team can coordinate pre-alerts, cargo release planning and delivery appointments, with storage terms confirmed case by case.
- Marine support: Bunkering and ship-repair services are identified in the supplied description; these are vessel-service functions and should not be assumed to include cargo-side services.
- Inland distribution: Road-based collection and delivery through the Colon–Panama logistics corridor can be arranged subject to equipment, customs status, traffic conditions and consignee access restrictions.
Routes & Transit Times
Routing Logic and Time Variables
- Caribbean and Atlantic flows: Cristobal may be considered for cargo moving through Caribbean and Atlantic networks, including regional distribution and transshipment arrangements. Service scope depends on the selected carrier and port rotation.
- Panama Canal connection: The canal location can influence routing between Atlantic and Pacific markets, but canal transit, vessel allocation and schedule reliability are controlled by the operating carrier and canal conditions.
- Regional relay planning: Cargo may require a hub connection or transshipment rather than a direct sailing. Our service team will validate the complete port sequence before quoting a schedule.
- Time-sensitive variables: Actual transit is affected by vessel schedule, transshipment connection, canal booking or restrictions, weather, terminal congestion, customs release, documentation accuracy and inland delivery appointments.
We provide schedule-based estimates rather than unconditional transit promises. The sailing schedule, cut-off, connection and estimated arrival should be reconfirmed before cargo dispatch.
Hinterland & Key Cargo
Cargo and Distribution Profile
Colon and Panama distribution
The port serves logistics activity around Colon and can support onward distribution within Panama, subject to customs regime, consignee location and delivery equipment.
Free-zone-related supply chains
Colon’s commercial and distribution environment commonly generates demand for consumer goods, retail inventory, spare parts and regional redistribution. The applicable import or re-export procedure must be confirmed for each shipment.
Typical cargo planning
Containerized manufactured goods, machinery, project cargo, breakbulk, general cargo and regulated commodities may be handled when accepted by the carrier, terminal and authorities.
Oversized and heavy cargo
For out-of-gauge or high-weight cargo, our team needs dimensions, gross weight, center of gravity, lifting points, packing details and final delivery route before equipment and handling feasibility can be assessed.
Operations & Compliance
Practical Risk Controls
- Cut-off management: Shipping instruction, verified gross mass, export documents and container delivery must meet the specific carrier and terminal deadlines. Cut-offs can vary by voyage and may close earlier when cargo requires inspection or special handling.
- Dangerous goods: Provide the correct UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, flash point where applicable, package details and safety documentation before booking. Do not deliver undeclared or misdeclared hazardous cargo.
- Customs and inspection: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading data, origin information and permits should be consistent. A customs or security inspection may add handling time and costs; cargo should not be dispatched on the assumption of immediate release.
- Inland delivery: Confirm whether the shipment is port-to-port, door delivery, bonded movement or another customs status. Check truck access, container weight, chassis availability, delivery appointment, consignee unloading capability and any route restrictions before finalizing the quote.
Shipping Tips
Recommended Booking Workflow
- Send our service team the POL/POD, cargo description, HS information, package count, dimensions, gross weight, ready date and requested delivery term before space is requested.
- For hazardous, temperature-controlled, oversized or breakbulk cargo, submit technical cargo details and supporting approvals early so the carrier can review acceptance and handling requirements.
- Use packaging suitable for humid marine conditions and transshipment handling. Secure machinery and project cargo against movement, and ensure package marks match the commercial documents.
- Before stuffing or dispatch, reconfirm the booking number, terminal receiving window, VGM process, documentation cut-off, customs status and inland appointment. If the preferred sailing is unavailable, our team can compare an alternative carrier or routing subject to current schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cristobal Port FAQ
Is PACTB suitable for container shipments?
Yes, the supplied port record identifies container berths and containerized cargo facilities. Acceptance, equipment type, receiving window and carrier routing must be confirmed for the selected sailing. Our team can check these points before issuing dispatch instructions.
Can PACTB be used for cargo moving between Atlantic and Pacific markets?
Cristobal’s position at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal makes it relevant to such planning, but a shipment may require a carrier-operated canal transit or transshipment connection. We will verify the actual port rotation and schedule rather than assume a direct movement.
What information is required for project or oversized cargo?
Provide exact length, width, height, gross weight, lifting points, center of gravity, packing method, photographs or drawings, cargo value and final delivery address. Berth handling, equipment, road route and permits must be reviewed before booking.
How should dangerous goods be prepared?
Submit the shipper’s declaration and complete classification details before space confirmation. Carrier, terminal and local authority acceptance is required, and the applicable cut-off may be earlier than for standard cargo.
What commonly causes delays after vessel arrival?
Typical causes include inconsistent documents, customs or security inspection, pending permits, terminal release issues, unavailable inland equipment, missed delivery appointments and transshipment connection changes. Our service team tracks these milestones and escalates exceptions with the relevant parties.
Data Sources & Provenance
Reference and Verification Boundaries
Primary port facts: Port code, name, location, coordinates, berth count, area, berth length, depth range, recorded vessel limits and traffic figures are reproduced from the PACTB port record supplied for this page. These figures should be treated as reference data and reconfirmed with the carrier or terminal for live operations.
Canal and navigation context: Panama Canal operational information should be verified through the official Panama Canal Authority at pancanal.com.
Panama maritime regulatory context: Applicable maritime administration and regulatory information should be checked with the Panama Maritime Authority at amp.gob.pa.
This module does not treat estimated schedules, terminal cut-offs, cargo acceptance, customs release, charges or inland availability as permanent port specifications. Our service team will verify time-sensitive details against the live booking and shipment documents.