# Santo Tomas De Castilla (GTIZ4)

**UN/LOCODE:** GTIZ4  
**Country:** Guatemala  
**Water Body:** Caribbean Sea; North Atlantic Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Small  
**Harbor Type:** Coastal (Natural)  
**GPS:** 15.7000, -88.6167

State operator EMPORNAC runs Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemala's leading Caribbean port on the Bay of Amatique and the gateway for roughly 60% of the country's containerised trade and 65% of its liquid bulk. About 1,100 vessels call each year, with a maximum length of 229 m and drafts to around 9.5 m. The port handles dry bulk such as grain and fertiliser, containers, RoRo units, palletised bananas and bagged coffee, plus tallow and oil products moved through dedicated pipelines. Built from 1955 and expanded after a 1976 earthquake crippled neighbouring Puerto Barrios, it now anchors Guatemala's Atlantic-side logistics. Hinterland cargo travels by road to Guatemala City and the central highlands, with customs handled on-site by Guatemala's SAT authority. The 9.5 m draft limit keeps the largest container vessels away, so deep-draught services often favour the Pacific side. For shippers comparing options, privately run Puerto Barrios (Del Monte) and Pacific-coast Puerto Quetzal are the main alternatives.

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/santo-tomas-de-castilla-port-gtiz4](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/santo-tomas-de-castilla-port-gtiz4)*

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