# Barranquilla (COBAQ)

**UN/LOCODE:** COBAQ  
**Country:** Colombia  
**Water Body:** Caribbean Sea; North Atlantic Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Medium  
**Harbor Type:** River (Natural)  
**GPS:** 10.9667, -74.7667

Colombia's leading river port on the Caribbean mouth of the Magdalena, about 22 km upstream from the sea, Barranquilla depends on constant channel dredging to stay open to shipping. The multipurpose port posted a record year in 2024 with more than 13 million tonnes handled and container volumes up over 5% year-on-year; terminals run by Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Barranquilla and Compas handle containers, dry and general cargo, grain and coke exports. The decisive factor for planners remains draft: continuous sedimentation near the river mouth holds usable depth at around 9 to 10 m and demands constant dredging, ruling out large container vessels. Port association Asoportuaria says channel dredging funding is secured through the end of 2025, while budget for continuing the works into 2026 was still being sought as of mid-2026 – a real planning risk around usable draft. Hinterland access runs by road into the Colombian interior and upriver along the Magdalena inland waterway. Customs and foreign-trade handling are in place, but the port suits bulk, grain and regional container flows rather than deep-sea services. For larger boxes and heavy reefer volumes, Cartagena and Santa Marta are the practical alternatives.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Bogota → Shanghai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/bogota-shanghai)
- [Bogota → Shenzhen](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/bogota-shenzhen)
- [Bogota → Guangzhou](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/bogota-guangzhou)
- [Bogota → Hong Kong](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/bogota-hong-kong)
- [Bogota → Tokyo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/bogota-tokyo)
- [Bogota → Busan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/bogota-busan)

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/barranquilla-port-cobaq](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/barranquilla-port-cobaq)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/barranquilla-port-cobaq](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/barranquilla-port-cobaq)*

*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/barranquilla-port-cobaq/llm-summary?lang=en*