UY Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
UN/LOCODE references for Uruguay begin with UY and are followed by three location characters. Examples in the indexed sample include UYMON for Montevideo and UYNPA for Nueva Palmira.
Seaports in Uruguay: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Uruguay has 20 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, with Montevideo serving as the country’s principal container gateway and river-sea logistics hub.
Explore Uruguay port codes, cargo gateways, regional port clusters and indicative shipping lanes for international freight planning.
Uruguay Port Overview
Uruguay’s port system combines Atlantic and Río de la Plata access with inland river facilities. Montevideo is the principal container and general-cargo gateway, while Nueva Palmira, Fray Bentos and Paysandu support regional agricultural, bulk and river logistics.
20
Uruguay ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National port cargo throughput, 2025; YoY change not published in a comparable consolidated series
ANP 2025 public information
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National container throughput, 2025; YoY change subject to terminal-level reporting
ANP 2025 public information
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National commercial berth total, 2025; YoY change not reported as one consolidated figure
ANP 2025 public information
How many seaports does Uruguay have?
Uruguay has 20 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its country database as of November 2026. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a claim that every location handles ocean containers.
What is Uruguay’s largest or busiest port?
Montevideo is generally Uruguay’s principal commercial and container gateway. The Ecer Freight sample includes Montevideo under UYMON and UYMVD; UYMON is the first-ranked entry by indexed business activity.
Which areas handle Uruguay’s main freight flows?
The Montevideo metropolitan gateway leads container and general-cargo activity, while Nueva Palmira and Fray Bentos support western Río Uruguay and agricultural-bulk logistics. The indexed codes include UYNPA, UYNVP, UYFBS and UYFZB.
Top Ports in Uruguay by Freight Relevance
The table follows the activity order of the Ecer Freight sample. Uruguay does not publish a consistently comparable 2025 worldwide port league table for every listed location, so unavailable rank, throughput and year-on-year fields are shown together rather than inferred.
Indexed principal gateways and port locations
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Montevideo | UYMON | — | — | Montevideo and Río de la Plata |
| — | Montevideo | UYMVD | — | — | Montevideo and Río de la Plata |
| — | Colonia | UYCOL | — | — | Western Río de la Plata |
| — | Nueva Palmira | UYNPA | — | — | Río Uruguay and western Uruguay |
| — | Nueva Palmira | UYNVP | — | — | Río Uruguay and western Uruguay |
| — | Fray Bentos | UYFBS | — | — | Río Uruguay |
| — | Fray Bentos | UYFZB | — | — | Río Uruguay |
| — | Paysandu | UYPAY | — | — | Río Uruguay |
Uruguay Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Montevideo and Río de la Plata
Montevideo is the country’s central maritime gateway, supporting container services, general cargo, project cargo and connections with the wider Río de la Plata trading system.
Indexed Montevideo gateway locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | UYMON | Montevideo / — | Container, general cargo and multipurpose gateway |
| Montevideo | UYMVD | Montevideo / — | City-level or terminal-related port reference |
Western Río de la Plata
Colonia serves the western Río de la Plata area, with port activity shaped by short-sea, passenger, regional and multipurpose movements.
Indexed western Río de la Plata locations
Río Uruguay and Western Inland Network
The Río Uruguay corridor links inland production areas with river and maritime logistics. Nueva Palmira is particularly relevant to agricultural and bulk supply chains, while Fray Bentos and Paysandu provide additional regional coverage.
Indexed Río Uruguay locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nueva Palmira | UYNPA | Colonia / — | Agricultural bulk, river-sea and export logistics |
| Nueva Palmira | UYNVP | Nueva Palmira / — | Bulk and regional river-port reference |
| Fray Bentos | UYFBS | Fray Bentos / — | River cargo and agricultural supply chains |
| Fray Bentos | UYFZB | Fray Bentos / — | River-port or terminal-level reference |
| Paysandu | UYPAY | Paysandu / — | Inland river and regional cargo |
| Paysandu | UYPDU | Paysandu / — | City or terminal-level reference |
| Mercedes | UYMER | Mercedes / — | Local inland river logistics |
Atlantic and Southeastern Coast
Southeastern locations provide coastal and regional coverage, including passenger, tourism, fishing, local supply and selected multipurpose activities.
Indexed Atlantic and southeastern locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Del Este | UYPDE | Maldonado / — | Coastal, passenger and tourism-related activity |
| Punta Del Este | UYPDP | Punta Del Este / — | City or terminal-level reference |
| Jose Ignacio | UYJIO | Jose Ignacio / — | Local coastal activity |
| Jose Ignacio Terminal | UYJIT | Jose Ignacio Terminal / — | Terminal-level coastal reference |
| La Paloma/rocha | UYLAP | — / — | Atlantic coastal and local port activity |
| Maldonado | UYMAL | Maldonado / — | Coastal and regional activity |
Uruguay Port Codes and UN-LOCODE Structure
Uruguay port references use the UY country prefix. A code may identify a city, port, terminal or operational location, so the exact facility should be confirmed before booking.
City-Level and Terminal-Level References
The same place name can appear under more than one indexed code. Montevideo is listed as UYMON and UYMVD, while Nueva Palmira is listed as UYNPA and UYNVP. These records should not automatically be treated as separate large container ports.
How to Verify a Uruguay Port Code
Check the latest UN/LOCODE material from UNECE, then compare the result with the Ecer Freight port directory and the carrier’s booking system.
Shipping from Uruguay: Main Trade Lanes
Indicative transit times vary with service rotation, transshipment, vessel schedules, customs clearance and seasonal capacity. Rates and routings require shipment-specific confirmation.
Uruguay to Argentina
Short-sea and Río de la Plata services connect Uruguay with Argentina for regional distribution and cross-border supply chains.
Uruguay to Brazil
Brazil is a major regional trading partner, with services generally routed through South Atlantic and Brazilian hub networks.
Uruguay to Europe
Europe-bound cargo typically uses Montevideo and a South Atlantic service network, with direct or transshipment options depending on the carrier.
Uruguay to Asia
Asia services commonly involve South American hub calls and transshipment, making schedule and equipment availability important planning factors.
Data Methodology and Sources
Port coverage, code mapping and trade guidance use separate data concepts. Indexed coverage identifies records in the Ecer Freight directory; throughput and infrastructure indicators require an official or terminal-level statistical basis.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party database coverage of 20 Uruguay port and terminal records, snapshot November 2026.
- UNECE — international UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference framework.
- Administración Nacional de Puertos — Uruguay port authority information and port activity context.
- Uruguay Ministry of Transport and Public Works — national transport and infrastructure policy context.
- Uruguay National Institute of Statistics — national statistical context used where port-specific figures are not consolidated.
Uruguay Port FAQ
How many seaports does Uruguay have?
Uruguay has 20 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of November 2026. The figure describes the database’s indexed coverage and includes city-level, terminal-level and river-port records.
What is the main container port in Uruguay?
Montevideo is generally Uruguay’s main container and commercial gateway. The indexed sample includes Montevideo codes UYMON and UYMVD.
What is the UN-LOCODE prefix for Uruguay?
Uruguay uses the UY country prefix in UN/LOCODE references. Examples include UYMON for Montevideo, UYCOL for Colonia and UYNPA for Nueva Palmira.
Which Uruguay port areas are important for cargo?
Montevideo is the principal container gateway. Nueva Palmira, Fray Bentos and Paysandu are relevant to Río Uruguay and inland regional logistics, while Colonia supports western Río de la Plata activity.
Are all Uruguay port codes separate ocean container ports?
No. A port-code directory can include city references, terminal records, river facilities and local coastal locations. The operational facility, cargo capability and booking code should be confirmed with the carrier or terminal.
How current is the Uruguay port information?
The Ecer Freight indexed-port snapshot is dated November 2026 and the page is reviewed quarterly. Official throughput figures may follow different publication schedules and should be checked against the relevant authority or terminal.
How can a shipper request a freight quote from Uruguay?
Shippers can compare indicative FCL or LCL options through the freight-rate pages, then confirm the origin facility, destination, commodity, equipment, cargo weight, sailing date and required service level.
Editorial note: This Uruguay port guide combines the Ecer Freight port database with publicly available information from maritime and government institutions. Indexed port coverage is updated with the database snapshot, while official cargo, TEU and infrastructure statistics are reviewed as new releases become available. Routing, transit times and rates remain subject to carrier schedules, port conditions and shipment details.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Uruguay: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact