Port guide · UN/LOCODE CO SMR
Santa Marta, Colombia
Colombia · 11.25° N, 74.22° W
The World Port Index classes Santa Marta as a natural coastal harbor on the Caribbean Sea. It records a channel depth of 23.2 m and a cargo pier depth of 15.5 m. Norfolk is 2,850 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 15.5 m
- Max vessel length
- 270 m
- From Norfolk
- 2,850 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Barranquilla70 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 8 ports in Colombia with guides here, Santa Marta records the deepest channel in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 270 m and a maximum draft of 14.3 m.
- Channel depth
- 23.2 m
- Anchorage depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 15.5 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 270 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 41 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 14.3 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Santa Marta is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Port security
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 100 tons and over.
- Container
- Yes
- Ro-ro
- Yes
- Breakbulk
- Yes
- Solid bulk
- Yes
- Liquid bulk
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 100 tons and over
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Large
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- No
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Colombia
- US exports, 2025
- $19.5BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $17.9BLed by mineral fuels and oils
Other ports in Colombia
The nearest is Barranquilla, 70 km away in a straight line.
- BarranquillaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 m, container, breakbulk and bulkCO BAQ
- BuenaventuraCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 mCO BUN
- CartagenaCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCO CTG
- CovenasCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 23.2 mCO CVE
- Puerto BolivarCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 9.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCO PBO
- TumacoCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 6.4 mCO TCO
- TurboCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 m, containerCO TRB
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.