From the early hours of February 5, Puerto Antioquia began operations in Colombia, a major logistics project set to revolutionize foreign trade in the South American country. In the heart of the Urabá region of Antioquia, in the municipality of Turbo, Puerto Antioquia formally inaugurated its commercial operations, this multipurpose port megaproject, a vital hub of Colombian trade designed to boost foreign commerce.
With an investment of nearly US$774 million, it connects the Caribbean with the center of the country, facilitating the export of bananas and general cargo. For a country historically constrained by long distances to Caribbean ports, this launch represents more than the opening of a maritime terminal: it symbolizes the beginning of a new era for Colombian international trade.
The expectation that surrounded this project for years has now become a reality. Imported and exported goods will begin to move through infrastructure designed to compete in efficiency and proximity with other ports along the national coastline. What was once a logistical aspiration for producers and exporters in Antioquia, the Coffee Belt, and the central region of the country has today become an operational engine with the potential to transform the productive and economic dynamics of vast areas of Colombia’s interior.
Colombia’s new Caribbean port, Puerto Antioquia, begins operations
Puerto Antioquia began operations on the morning of Thursday, February 5, as a multipurpose maritime terminal with world-class technical features. Its facilities include a 1,340-meter-long dock and five berthing positions, allowing the entry of deep-draft, large-dimension vessels, including New Panamax types.
Its land platform extends across dozens of hectares, integrating container yards, refrigerated warehouses, and specialized areas for different types of cargo, from bulk goods to oversized loads. All of this is supported by modern equipment and technology that facilitate loading and unloading with times and efficiency levels that challenge the region’s traditional schemes.
Alejandro Costa Posada, president of Puerto Antioquia, stated that “the entry into operation of this world-class maritime terminal represents the materialization of a long-term vision that connects the country with international markets in a more efficient, secure, and competitive manner.”
The port also offers complementary logistics services that have been implemented to meet the needs of today’s international trade. Modern inspection systems, digital traceability, and continuous 24/7 operations complement an operational environment that seeks to maintain a constant flow of goods without bottlenecks. This is especially relevant for perishable products that require a specialized cold chain and value-added services such as packaging, labeling, and cross-docking.
For his part, the mayor of Turbo, Alejandro Abuchar, celebrated this significant commercial and employment boost for his municipality. “With the start of operations of Puerto Bahía Colombia – Puerto Antioquia and the arrival of new commercial ships that will be unloaded and loaded with modern cranes, Turbo’s future begins to change.” The mayor stated that “our economic conditions will improve, our residents will have the opportunity to access new jobs and improve their quality of life.”
Visita interinstitucional nos deja buena impresión para inicio de nuestras operaciones. Recibimos al Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, la DIAN, el ICA, el INVIMA y la Dirección de Antinarcóticos de la Policía Nacional. pic.twitter.com/JSVZMTYBz3
— Puerto Antioquia (@nuestropuerto) February 3, 2026
A substantial reduction in costs and time
Perhaps one of the most celebrated benefits of Puerto Antioquia’s entry into operation is the possibility of substantially reducing both costs and land and maritime transport times. As the Caribbean port closest to the country’s main production centers—located approximately 350 kilometers closer than other terminals in the region—it is projected to reduce freight transit distances by 47 percent for Medellín and by 36 percent for the Coffee-Growing Region.
This proximity translates into estimated logistics savings of between 33 and 58 percent for exporters and importers compared with traditional options on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
These figures do not represent efficiency only on paper. For companies producing bananas, plantains, avocados, coffee, cocoa, and flowers, the ability to reach international markets with less physical wear on goods and lower logistics costs positions their products more competitively. Sectors such as automotive, industrial goods, and products requiring specialized cargo handling will also benefit from these more favorable conditions for the exchange of goods.
The opening of Puerto Antioquia does not bring only specific economic advantages for certain industries. It is accompanied by a broader narrative about the structural transformation of the Urabá region of Antioquia. For decades, the port vocation of Turbo and its surrounding areas remained more a possibility than a tangible reality. With authorization and the start of commercial operations, that possibility becomes a real platform for integrating the country with global markets.
A new chapter for Colombian foreign trade
Over the past ten years, Colombia’s foreign trade has navigated cycles of expansion, global tensions, and structural challenges. Historically, Colombian exports in 2015 showed well-defined destinations, with the United States as the main partner and products such as crude oil, coal, and coffee leading the export basket. That year, exports to the United States exceeded US$10 billion and accounted for nearly 28% of total exports, while imports had the United States and China as key sources.
Throughout the decade, foreign trade has represented close to 40% of GDP, a significant proportion reflecting the country’s integration into global value chains. Despite this weight, export growth has been uneven: recent data show that between 2019 and 2024 exports increased by around US$9 billion, albeit with year-on-year declines linked to volatility in oil prices and the global slowdown.
In 2025, imports continue to show expansion dynamics; for example, in January external purchases grew by 8.5%, led by manufactures and fuels, although the trade balance maintains a structural deficit. This imbalance is evident in midyear figures: the deficit widened notably in 2025, due to imports growing more vigorously than exports, which have suffered setbacks in key products such as hydrocarbons.
Ports have played a strategic role over this decade. In the first half of 2025, Colombian ports handled more than 85 million tons, with Cartagena—Caribbean—and Buenaventura—Pacific—consolidating as main logistics hubs, while terminals such as Turbo and Santa Marta showed strong percentage increases in exports.
With the start of operations at Puerto Antioquia, trade—especially outbound Caribbean maritime trade—is expected to be transformed. With this megaport, a new stage begins in which Medellín and the Coffee-Growing Region connect with the world in a more direct, competitive, and less costly way.
The reduction in distances, operational efficiency, and positive effects on the national logistics chain represent an opportunity to reposition Colombia in the global economy. With the launch of this port node, expectations for export growth, market diversification, and the consolidation of national industries receive a boost that until recently seemed distant, but which has now begun to materialize in practice.