VEMAR Port Code Lookup

Port Code Lookup

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Total 1 ports of VEMAR

VEMAR Maracaibo Port
Maracaibo Port is the major seaport of Maracaibo, in the city of Maracaiboin Venezuela. Overseas routes include Central and South America, Port code is VEMAR.

Show details

Port Code

VEMAR

Name

Maracaibo

Country / Region

Venezuela

City

Maracaibo

Sea Routes

Central and South America

Type

Main Port

Latitude

10.6315000

Longitude

-71.6420000

Est. Unit Price

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Port Overview

UN/LOCODEVEMAR

Port / CityMaracaibo

CountryVenezuela

Coordinates10.6315°N, 71.6420°W

Maracaibo is a natural lake-bay port and port of entry serving terminals on both the western and eastern shores of Bahia de Maracaibo. Its access depends on the Maracaibo Lake channel and pilotage arrangements, so vessel suitability must be checked against the applicable tide, channel condition and berth restrictions. The supplied port reference describes 12 berths, of which 8 are operational, with general cargo and bulk grain as principal activities. A separate coal-handling floating storage and transfer station, Bulkwayuu, is also identified in the reference data.

Reference indicator	Value	Planning implication
Annual vessel calls	Approximately 750	Port traffic and berth windows should be confirmed before fixing loading dates.
Annual cargo handled	Approximately 1,321,000 tonnes	Useful as a scale indicator; it is not a guaranteed current capacity figure.
Harbour draft	10.0 m	Confirm actual permissible draft with the local agent and pilot authority.
Lake channel draft	11.35 m at high water; 10.8 m at medium tide; 10.2 m at low water	Under-keel clearance and sailing tide can materially affect nomination and stowage.

Key Highlights

Lake-channel access: Maracaibo is not an unrestricted open-ocean berth; channel draft, tide, pilotage and hydrographic conditions are central to vessel planning.
Multipurpose profile: The reference data identifies general cargo and bulk grain as the main activity across the operational berths.
Separate coal interface: Bulkwayuu is described as a permanently moored floating storage and transfer station in the La Calsada area, with separate vessel limitations.
Mixed terminal coverage: The port functions as an entry point for terminals on both shores of the bay, requiring precise terminal nomination in booking instructions.
Container planning requires confirmation: The platform record lists three FCL-related service entries but no LCL entry; equipment, handling and empty-return arrangements must be verified case by case.

Facilities & Services

Berths and general cargo

The supplied reference records 12 berths, with 8 described as operational, mainly supporting general cargo and bulk grain. Berth allocation, cargo gear and working windows should be obtained from the nominated terminal.

Coal transfer facility

Bulkwayuu is identified as a floating storage and transfer station moored in the La Calsada area. Its quoted vessel envelope is separate from the ordinary harbour limits and must not be applied to other terminals.

Container cargo

Our service team can review FCL routing and local handling options, but container acceptance, crane availability, empty equipment, reefer support and terminal cut-offs require shipment-specific confirmation.

Customs and inspection interface

As a port of entry serving multiple terminals, customs documentation and inspection coordination should be aligned with the actual discharge or loading terminal. Do not assume that one terminal's procedures apply across the bay.

Road distribution

Road drayage is the practical inland connection for most cargo. Heavy or oversized movements may require route surveys, axle and bridge checks, escort arrangements and delivery-time coordination.

Warehousing and transshipment

Storage, cargo consolidation, bulk transfer and transshipment availability are dependent on the selected terminal and cargo type. Our team will request written confirmation before quoting an operational plan.

Routes & Transit Times

Maracaibo cargo normally requires an ocean service connection through a suitable Caribbean or regional hub, depending on origin, destination, carrier acceptance and the final terminal. Direct-service availability must be checked for each sailing.
For container shipments, the effective transit plan includes mainline or regional sea transport, any transshipment connection, documentation release, customs processing and local drayage—not only the ocean leg.
Bulk and general-cargo schedules are particularly sensitive to berth nomination, pilotage, tide, channel restrictions, cargo readiness and vessel draft. Our service team will provide a planning range only after receiving the cargo and vessel details.
Potential schedule variables include transshipment omission or rollover, weather, channel or berth restrictions, customs inspection, equipment positioning and local road conditions. All cut-offs and estimated dates remain subject to carrier and terminal confirmation.

Hinterland & Key Cargo

Primary hinterland: Maracaibo city and the wider Zulia region, with distribution links to industrial, commercial and energy-related locations around Lake Maracaibo.
Typical port cargo: General cargo, bulk grain and project or industrial materials are consistent with the supplied berth profile; coal movements may use the separately identified floating transfer facility.
Import cargo planning: Machinery, spare parts, industrial inputs and packaged goods may require detailed terminal, customs and inland-delivery coordination before vessel arrival.
Export and bulk cargo: Bulk density, moisture, loading rate, trimming, draft and tide should be incorporated into the cargo plan rather than treated as routine berth details.
Inland delivery: Final-mile feasibility depends on road access, cargo dimensions, vehicle availability, security procedures and consignee receiving capacity.

Operations & Compliance

Booking and cut-off control: Obtain the confirmed terminal, vessel, voyage, cargo cut-off, documentation cut-off and gate conditions in writing. Lake-channel and berth constraints can make a nominal sailing date unsuitable.
Draft and vessel particulars: Provide LOA, beam, summer and actual arrival draft, air draft, cargo quantity and stowage details early. The reference lists 10.0 m harbour draft and separate limits for the channel and Bulkwayuu; these figures are not interchangeable.
Dangerous goods: Submit the applicable IMDG declaration, SDS, UN number, proper shipping name, packing group, flash point and container packing certificate where required. Acceptance and segregation must be confirmed with the carrier and terminal before dispatch.
Customs and inspection: Ensure commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, origin or other required certificates and consignee information are consistent. Keep cargo accessible for possible inspection and allow time for document corrections or release holds.
Inland transport: For heavy, oversized or temperature-sensitive cargo, confirm chassis or truck suitability, route restrictions, delivery appointment, power supply and security arrangements before cargo release.

Shipping Tips

Send our service team the commodity, HS classification, packing type, gross weight, dimensions, container requirement, origin, destination and preferred delivery window before requesting a firm routing.
For bulk or breakbulk cargo, provide the cargo density, moisture characteristics, lifting or loading method, quantity per parcel and vessel particulars so that draft and berth feasibility can be screened early.
Use seaworthy, moisture-resistant packaging and clear marks showing consignee, package count, gross weight, handling points and country-specific documentation references. Photograph high-value or project cargo before handover.
Keep a routing alternative through a regional hub or another Venezuelan gateway under review when equipment, berth, channel or transshipment conditions are uncertain. The final alternative must be validated against cargo type, customs requirements and inland cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can VEMAR be used for container shipments?

It can be evaluated for FCL cargo, but the port record does not establish universal container-terminal capability or LCL service. Our team will confirm carrier acceptance, terminal handling, empty equipment and gate arrangements for the specific shipment.

What draft should be used for vessel planning?

The supplied reference gives a 10.0 m harbour draft and Maracaibo Lake channel limits of 11.35 m at high water, 10.8 m at medium tide and 10.2 m at low water. Actual permissible draft depends on the terminal, tide, channel condition, pilot advice and current restrictions.

Is Bulkwayuu the normal berth for all Maracaibo cargo?

No. Bulkwayuu is separately described as a floating storage and transfer station for coal in the La Calsada area. Its quoted LOA, beam and draft parameters should not be used for general cargo, grain or container planning.

How early should cargo documents be submitted?

Our service team recommends submitting complete commercial and shipping documents before the carrier or terminal cut-off, especially for dangerous goods, bulk cargo, regulated commodities and shipments requiring inspection. The exact deadline must be confirmed per voyage.

Can you guarantee a transit time or direct sailing?

No. Transit time, transshipment, sailing frequency and direct-service availability vary by carrier, season, cargo type and operational conditions. We provide a shipment-specific planning range only after carrier and terminal confirmation.

Data Sources & Provenance

The port code, name, country, city, coordinates and operational descriptors on this page are based on the supplied VEMAR port reference dataset. The berth count, approximate annual vessel calls, approximate cargo volume, draft figures, channel limits and Bulkwayuu particulars are reproduced from that supplied reference and should be treated as planning indicators rather than a current operating guarantee.

Current berth assignment, pilotage, channel restrictions, tide windows, terminal acceptance, cargo handling, customs release, carrier cut-offs, equipment availability and inland delivery conditions must be reconfirmed with the nominated carrier, terminal, local agent and relevant Venezuelan authorities before shipment execution.

Verification boundary: This page does not establish current tariffs, terminal opening hours, guaranteed capacity, active liner coverage, sailing frequency, direct routes, transit times, regulatory approvals or service availability.