About the Maritime and Logistics Profile of Latin America and the Caribbean

The Maritime and Logistics Profile is an information platform developed by the Infrastructure Services Unit of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), oriented towards disseminating knowledge and strengthening the analysis of the maritime-port sector in the region.

History and Objectives

The Maritime and Logistics Profile began to be published in 1999 with the objective of promoting and facilitating the analysis of maritime transport in Latin America and the Caribbean. Over more than two decades, it has established itself as a reference tool for researchers, policymakers and professionals in the maritime-port sector.

Currently, the Profile has placed special emphasis on the logistics dimension, highlighting its strategic role in competitiveness, regional integration and the resilience of supply chains. To this end, it offers updated data and references on the main trends, policies and recent developments, as well as systematized information that contributes to the study of ports, maritime transport and logistics in the region.

Main Objectives

• Promote knowledge and analysis of maritime transport and logistics in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Facilitate access to updated statistical information, particularly on port throughput.
• Offer visualization tools that enable comparative analysis between ports, countries and subregions.
• Document the trends and structural changes in the maritime-port sector of the region.
• Support academic research and the formulation of public policies, as well as decision-making processes in the sector.

Content and Scope

The Maritime and Logistics Profile includes information on:

• Container throughput: historical series from 2000 to 2024
• Geographic coverage: more than 120 ports located in 45 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean
• Country analysis: national-level aggregations that facilitate comparisons between economies.
• Coastal classification: organization of information according to geographic coasts (Pacific, Atlantic and Caribbean)
• Temporal trends: analysis of historical evolution and growth rates of port traffic.

Infrastructure Services Unit (ISU)

The Infrastructure Services Unit (ISU) of the Division of International Trade and Integration of ECLAC is responsible for the development, updating and maintenance of the Maritime and Logistics Profile.

The ISU conducts applied research, policy analysis and technical assistance to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in areas related to:

• Maritime transport and ports
• Logistics
• Transport infrastructure
• Sustainable urban mobility policies
• Regional economic integration

Methodology and Sources of Information

The data presented in the Maritime and Logistics Profile come from various official sources:

• National port authorities
• Port terminal operators
• Maritime transport regulatory bodies
• National statistical institutions
• Specialized sector publications

Technical note: In the tables, the symbol "..." is used when no data was reported by the port authority for that port and year; it is equivalent to N/A for information availability purposes.

Gallery

Images related to the Infrastructure Services Unit and the Maritime Profile.

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