Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE NI PSN

Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua

Nicaragua · 12.18° N, 86.77° W

The World Port Index classes Puerto Sandino as an open roadstead on the North Pacific Ocean. It records a channel depth of 1.8 m and a cargo pier depth of 3.4 m. Norfolk is 2,940 km away in a straight line.

2,940 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
1.8 m
Cargo pier depth
3.4 m
From Norfolk
2,940 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Corinto50 km away

Depths and vessel limits

Channel depth
1.8 m
Anchorage depth
7 m
Cargo pier depth
3.4 m
Oil terminal depth
14.3 m
Tidal range
0.9 m
Offshore maximum vessel length
213.4 m
Offshore maximum vessel draft
12.2 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

Puerto Sandino is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Port security
Yes
Vessel traffic service
No
Shelter afforded
Poor
Entrance restricted by tide
No
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No
Overhead limits
No

Cargo handling

Cargo facilities on record: solid bulk and liquid bulk.

Container
No
Ro-ro
No
Breakbulk
No
Solid bulk
Yes
Liquid bulk
Yes
Oil terminal
Yes
LNG terminal
No
Wharves
No
Anchorage
Yes
Dangerous cargo anchorage
No
Container cranes
No
Mobile cranes
No
Floating cranes
No
Longshore labor
No
Railway
None

Services and supplies

Repairs
None
Dry dock
None
Electrical repair
No
Diving
No
Ice breaking
No
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
No
Potable water
No
Provisions
No
Deck supplies
No
Engine supplies
No
Shore electricity
No
Airport
No

US trade with Nicaragua

US exports, 2025
$2.4BLed by mineral fuels and oils
US imports, 2025
$5.0BLed by knitted apparel

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for Nicaragua

Other ports in Nicaragua

The nearest is Corinto, 50 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.