VE Prefix and Three-Letter Structure
Venezuela uses the country prefix VE in UN/LOCODE notation. A complete location code combines VE with a three-letter location identifier, such as VEPBL for Puerto Cabello or VEMAR for Maracaibo.
Seaports in Venezuela: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Venezuela has 78 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Caribbean, Atlantic and inland Orinoco-linked trade flows.
Explore Venezuela port codes, regional cargo gateways, public throughput references and practical routing considerations for 2026 planning.
Venezuela Port Overview
Venezuela’s port system combines Caribbean-facing commercial gateways, petroleum terminals, industrial facilities and river-connected cargo locations. Indexed coverage and public national statistics are different measures: the database count below is a first-party coverage figure, while official cargo totals depend on the reporting institution and scope.
78
Venezuela ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
—
National seaborne cargo volume, 2025; YoY not consistently published in a consolidated public series
Official public figure not consolidated · 2025
—
Container throughput, 2025; YoY not consistently published as a national total
Official public figure not consolidated · 2025
—
Commercial berths nationwide, 2025; YoY not consistently reported in one public register
Official public figure not consolidated · 2025
How many seaports does Venezuela have?
Venezuela has 78 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its October 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage count, not a claim that every facility handles international containers.
Which ports are among Venezuela’s principal cargo gateways?
Puerto Cabello (VEPBL), Maracaibo (VEMAR), La Guaira (VELGU), Guanta (VEGTA) and El Guamache (VEEGU) are among the principal commercial locations represented in the database sample. Cargo acceptance and service availability remain subject to confirmation.
Which areas handle Venezuela’s main maritime cargo flows?
The central Caribbean coast around Puerto Cabello and La Guaira, the western Maracaibo basin, the eastern Guanta–Barcelona area and the Orinoco industrial corridor around Palua are the key geographic clusters to assess.
Major Venezuela Ports by Publicly Reported Throughput
The table identifies leading freight locations from the indexed sample. A comparable, audited 2025 TEU league table for Venezuela is not consistently available in a single public national series; therefore, rank, throughput and YoY fields are left together as “—” where no reliable port-level figure can be verified.
Selected high-priority ports and terminals in the Ecer Freight sample
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Palua | VEPAL | — | — | Orinoco industrial corridor |
| — | Guaraguao | VEGUA | — | — | Eastern Caribbean coast |
| — | El Palito | VEEPA | — | — | Central Caribbean coast |
| — | Guanta | VEGTA | — | — | Eastern Caribbean coast |
| — | Puerto Cabello | VEPBL | — | — | Central Caribbean coast |
| — | Maracaibo | VEMAR | — | — | Western Maracaibo basin |
| — | Barcelona | VEBLA | — | — | Eastern Caribbean coast |
| — | La Guaira | VELGU | — | — | Central Caribbean coast |
Venezuela Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Central Caribbean Coast
This cluster serves central Venezuelan consumption and industrial markets and includes container, general cargo, petroleum and coastal distribution facilities.
Central coast sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Cabello | VEPBL | Puerto Cabello / — | General cargo, containers and industrial supply |
| El Palito | VEEPA | El Palito / — | Refinery-related and liquid bulk activity |
| La Guaira | VELGU | La Guaira / — | Commercial cargo and metropolitan supply |
| La Guaira | VELAG | La Guaira / — | Port and coastal logistics support |
| Punta Cardon | VEPCN | Punta Cardon / — | Petroleum and liquid bulk activity |
Western Maracaibo Basin
Western facilities are closely associated with the Maracaibo basin, petroleum logistics and regional cargo movements around Lake Maracaibo and its approaches.
Western basin sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maracaibo | VEMAR | Maracaibo / — | Regional commercial and petroleum-linked cargo |
| Bajo Grande | VEBJG | Bajo Grande / — | Liquid bulk and petroleum logistics |
| La Salina | VELSA | Cabimas / — | Petroleum services and liquid bulk |
| Puerto Miranda | VEPMI | Puerto Miranda / — | Petroleum and industrial cargo |
| El Tablazo | VEETA | El Tablazo / — | Petrochemical and industrial supply |
Eastern Caribbean Coast
Eastern ports connect industrial, energy and regional distribution activity with Caribbean routes. Vessel schedules, draft limits and terminal operations should be checked before booking.
Eastern coast sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guanta | VEGTA | Guanta / — | General cargo and regional distribution |
| Guanta | VEGUT | Guanta / — | Port support and industrial cargo |
| Barcelona | VEBLA | Barcelona / — | Commercial and regional cargo |
| Puerto La Cruz | VEPCZ | Puerto La Cruz / — | Energy, liquid bulk and general cargo |
| Puerto Sucre | VEPSU | Cumana / — | Coastal and regional cargo |
| El Guamache | VEEGU | El Guamache / — | Island supply and general cargo |
Orinoco Industrial Corridor
River-connected facilities support the movement of industrial commodities and bulk cargo toward the lower Orinoco system and export interfaces.
Orinoco corridor sample
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palua | VEPAL | Ciudad Guayana / — | Industrial and bulk cargo |
| Puerto Ordaz | VEPZO | Puerto Ordaz / — | Metals, industrial inputs and project cargo |
| Ciudad Bolivar | VECIB | Ciudad Bolivar / — | River-linked regional cargo |
| San Felix | VESFX | San Felix / — | Industrial and bulk logistics |
| Ciudad Guayana | VECGU | Ciudad Guayana / — | Industrial supply and river corridor cargo |
Venezuela Port Codes and UN-LOCODE Guide
City-Level and Terminal-Level Records
A port code may identify a city, port complex, terminal or specialized facility. Similar names can therefore appear under different codes, and a booking party should confirm the exact loading or discharge location.
How to Verify a Code
Compare the code against the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight port directory. Carrier booking instructions and terminal documents remain the final operational check.
Shipping from Venezuela: Main Trade Lanes
Venezuela’s practical routing options vary by cargo type, sanctions and compliance requirements, carrier deployment, transshipment availability and terminal conditions. Transit times below are indicative and subject to confirmation.
Venezuela to the Caribbean
Short-sea and feeder connections can serve Caribbean markets, although sailing frequency and transshipment options vary by port and carrier.
Venezuela to North America
North American shipments commonly require direct or transshipment routing, with documentation, sanctions screening and equipment availability reviewed before release.
Venezuela to Europe
Europe-bound cargo generally uses Caribbean or Mediterranean transshipment networks, with routing dependent on carrier acceptance and commodity controls.
Venezuela to South America
Regional South American movements may use direct coastal calls or hub connections. Cargo classification and inland delivery arrangements can materially affect the quotation.
Data Sources and Methodology
The page separates first-party indexed coverage from public statistical reporting. Port names, codes and ordering use the supplied Ecer Freight database sample; operational details and statistics should be rechecked before a shipment is booked.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 78 Venezuela ports and terminals, snapshot October 2026.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — reference framework for country and location-code verification.
- UN Trade and Development, Review of Maritime Transport — international maritime, fleet and port-sector context.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index — port location, access and nautical reference information.
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Venezuela — national statistical reference point; availability and scope of port series should be checked for the relevant year.
Venezuela Port FAQ
How many seaports does Venezuela have?
Venezuela has 78 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 database snapshot. The figure represents indexed coverage and includes different types of port and terminal records.
What is the largest or busiest port in Venezuela?
Puerto Cabello is generally regarded as one of Venezuela’s principal commercial cargo gateways. The Ecer Freight sample records it as VEPBL. A definitive 2025 national ranking requires a consistent, publicly audited port-level series.
What are the main port codes in Venezuela?
Examples in the indexed sample include VEPBL for Puerto Cabello, VEMAR for Maracaibo, VELGU for La Guaira, VEGTA for Guanta and VEEGU for El Guamache. The exact code should be checked against shipping instructions and terminal documents.
Which regions are important for Venezuela sea freight?
The central Caribbean coast, western Maracaibo basin, eastern Caribbean coast and Orinoco industrial corridor are the principal geographic clusters to assess for cargo planning.
How current are the Venezuela port figures?
The indexed port count is based on the October 2026 Ecer Freight snapshot. The latest complete statistical reference year requested for this page is 2025, but national and port-level public reporting may use different scopes and publication schedules.
Can a freight forwarder quote a shipment from Venezuela?
Yes. A useful quotation normally requires origin port, destination, commodity, cargo value, Incoterm, container or package details, weight, dimensions, readiness date and any compliance information. Rates and space remain subject to carrier and terminal confirmation.
Are all 78 indexed locations container ports?
No. The 78 figure covers indexed ports and terminals and may include commercial, industrial, petroleum, river-linked and specialized facilities. Container acceptance must be confirmed for the specific location and sailing.
Editorial note: This Venezuela guide combines Ecer Freight’s first-party port index with publicly available institutional references. Port coverage is reviewed against database changes, while public throughput, berth and trade statistics are checked quarterly where authoritative updates are available. Carrier schedules, terminal acceptance, customs requirements and sanctions-related controls can change between reviews.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Venezuela: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact