The arrival of the ship MV Julius, from the Melfi Marine shipping line, a regular service between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, marked a special achievement on the part of the port, reaching 2,000,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) since its opening day on January 27, 2014.
The Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) area is not only a major shipping port in the Caribbean, but also a complex zone of production, logistical services, storage, and port services.
It is the most important and well-equipped port in Cuba. Although the volume of shipping has been reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping services have continued.
During the Covid pandemic, the port of Mariel did not close its services even though there has been a decrease in the volume of shipping in relation to previous stages.
The new health protocols established in Cuba have forced the terminal personnel to strengthen the hygienic-sanitary measures as required.
The ZEDM with modern infrastructure, equipment, qualified personnel, advanced technology is also an access channel for Panamax vessels. It is positioned as a strategic logistics center with great potential within the region.
The Port has an annual capacity of 800,000 TEUs. Its terminal offers 702 linear meters of dock, a depth of 17.9 meters and four super post-panamax cranes, is designed to receive NeoPanamax ships. The ships’ maneuvering dock has a diameter of 500 meters and a depth of 15.9 meters.
The terminal is a 100% Cuban company managed under a long-term administration contract by PSA International, one of the largest port operators worldwide.