Port guide · UN/LOCODE PA BLB
Balboa, Panama
Panama · 8.95° N, 79.57° W
The World Port Index classes Balboa as a canal or lake port reached from the Gulf of Panama. It records a channel depth of 15.5 m and a cargo pier depth of 16.3 m. Norfolk is 3,120 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 15.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 16.3 m
- Max vessel length
- 369 m
- From Norfolk
- 3,120 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Bahia de Las Minas60 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 6 ports in Panama with guides here, Balboa records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 369 m and a maximum draft of 14.4 m.
- Channel depth
- 15.5 m
- Anchorage depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 16.3 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 13 m
- Tidal range
- 5 m
- Entrance width
- 225 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 369 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 53.5 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 14.4 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
Balboa 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
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Port security
- Yes
- Vessel traffic service
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
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
- Oil terminal
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Dangerous cargo anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 100 tons and over
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Medium
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated major.
- Repairs
- Major
- Dry dock
- Large
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Panama
- US exports, 2025
- $8.9BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $659.5MLed by special classification provisions
Other ports in Panama
The nearest is Bahia de Las Minas, 60 km away in a straight line.
- AlmiranteCargo pier 7.3 m, channel 9.4 m, container, ro-ro and breakbulkPA PAM
- Bahia de Las MinasCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 12.5 m, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkPA MNP
- Chiriqui GrandeCargo pier 11 m, channel 7.9 m, container, breakbulk and bulkPA CHG
- Puerto ColonCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 m, container, ro-ro and breakbulkPA ONX
- Puerto CristobalCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkPA CTB
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.