The shipping platform

Location: The port of La Union (previously known as Cutuco) is situated in the Gulf of Fonseca, approx 3km from the town of La Union, in the eastern part of the country. General overview: Cutuco is 252km by rail and 185km by road from the capital, San Salvador. There is one concrete pier capable of handling dry/bulk vessels, which is currently not operational, and two oil berths. Exports are principally coffee and cotton, while fertilisers and general cargo are imported. There are weekly cargo services between the two ports in El Salvador (Cutuco and Acajutla) and the USA by British, French, Italian, Swedish, Dutch and German Lines. The nearby new port of La Union, which is intended to become a mega port, has the first stage of wharf completed specialising in containers, grain and passengers. Traffic figures: Approx 45 vessels visit the port annually. Load line zone: North Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Mar 1 to Jun 30 and Nov 1 to Nov 30, Summer Jul 1 to Oct 31 and Dec 1 to Feb 28/29. Max size: Cutuco: LOA 180m, beam 29m, draught 9.1m. Max LOA 168m recommended due to strong tides.