The shipping platform

Location: Puerto Cortes is located close E of Punta Caballos in the NE of Bahia de Cortes, Gulf of Honduras. General overview: Puerto Cortes, the principal port of Honduras, is equipped with a wide range of facilities for dealing with container, LASH transport system, liquid bulk and break bulk cargoes, an oil refinery and a Free Trade Zone. Tanker traffic includes the discharge of fuel oil and chemicals and loading of molasses, with occasional exports of palm oil in shipments of 1-2,000t, loaded directly from road tankers. The harbour has natural protection from three sides with an opening to the W and no swell problems most of the time. Traffic figures: Approx 1,500 vessels visit the port annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31. Max size: LOA 260m, draught 11.5m, 45,000DWT. LASH vessels: Maximum size 19,000GT.