Port guide · UN/LOCODE JM KIN
Kingston, Jamaica
Jamaica · 17.97° N, 76.78° W
The World Port Index classes Kingston as a natural coastal harbor on the Caribbean Sea. It records a channel depth of 17.1 m and a cargo pier depth of 14 m. Norfolk is 2,100 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 17.1 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 14 m
- Max vessel length
- 367 m
- From Norfolk
- 2,100 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Port Esquivel40 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 5 ports in Jamaica with guides here, Kingston records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 367 m and a maximum draft of 9.7 m.
- Channel depth
- 17.1 m
- Anchorage depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 14 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 11 m
- Tidal range
- 0.3 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 367 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 51 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 9.7 m
- Offshore maximum vessel length
- 228 m
- Offshore maximum vessel draft
- 11.1 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
Kingston is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- No
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Port security
- Yes
- Vessel traffic service
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- 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 of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Medium
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Dry dock
- Medium
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- No
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Jamaica
- US exports, 2025
- $2.6BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $379.2MLed by inorganic chemicals
Other ports in Jamaica
The nearest is Port Esquivel, 40 km away in a straight line.
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.