The shipping platform

Location: Port-au-Prince is the major city and principal port of Haiti and is situated in the SE corner of Baie de Port-au-Prince, on the western coast of the island. General overview: Port infrastructure has been considerably damaged due to Jan 2010 earthquake. It is reported that the entire main container wharf is lost or submerged, and a large portion of the S Pier is also damaged, however it has been partially repaired and reopened for use. The tanker Terminal Varreux is to receive emergency repairs to jetty, tanks and pipelines to enable imports to resume before existing supplies of fuel oil, gasoline, diesel and propane run out. Shipping advice is available from the US Maritime Administration: http://www.marad.dot.gov. Facilities exist for the accommodation of dry bulk, Ro-Ro, container and cruise vessels in the bay. The emphasis in recent years has been on containers and passengers at the main port. The finger pier formerly used by cruise vessels was destroyed by Hurricane George. Principal exports consist of coffee, and fruit; imports are mainly grain, soya and building materials. Imports include food products, manufactured goods, oil and petroleum. Traffic figures: Approx 700 vessels, 2,750,000t of cargo and 85,000TEU handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Nov 1 to Jul 15, Summer Jul 16 to Oct 31. Max size: Main port: LOA 205m, draught 8.8m.