Grupo Puerto de Cartagena

What Grupo Puerto de Cartagena does

Grupo Puerto de Cartagena is a privately held Colombian port and logistics platform founded in 1993 and headquartered in Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar. It operates two core container/cargo terminals — Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena S.A. (SPRC) at Manga and Terminal de Contenedores de Cartagena S.A. (Contecar) at Mamonal — plus a cruise terminal (Terminal de Cruceros). The two cargo terminals provide combined annual handling capacity exceeding 5 million TEU, backed by two marginal docks (700 m and 1,000 m), two breakwaters, 2,500 refrigerated-container connection points with proprietary electrical substations, and the ability to berth up to five Neopanamax vessels simultaneously. Through wholly-owned subsidiaries GPC Tugs, Compañía Estibadora Colombiana (CEC), Sociedad Portuaria Operadora Internacional (SPOI), Cartagena II (CTGII), and Fundación Puerto de Cartagena, the group extends from towage and stevedoring into DIAN-authorized International Distribution Centers (CDLI/CDI) for bonded storage, value-added logistics, and partial cargo nationalization.

Revenue is generated predominantly on a transaction-fee basis: vessel wharfage and port dues based on TRB and days alongside; container and general-cargo handling (including specialized reefer, IMO, project, and oversized loads); cruise-related wharfage, excursion fees, water, waste, and provisioning; CDI value-added services such as packing, labeling, inspection, and serial imprinting; warehousing and land rentals with up to one year of storage plus automatic one-year extension; and access-control/carnetization fees. The GTM is direct-to-enterprise field sales supported by the SPRCOnline web platform, which serves 1,616 registered companies and 2,500 users with online manifest registration, OTM generation, appointment scheduling, invoice generation, and payment. The customer base spans global container shipping lines (Hamburg Süd, Hapag-Lloyd), CDI-distribution multinationals (Samsung, Ford, Pirelli, Bayer, RedBull), 33 cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Silversea, and a long tail of Colombian importers, exporters, customs brokers, and ground transport operators. The group is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified (SGS, 2022), Ecoports certified (2023), a UN Global Compact signatory, and recognized in 2025 by Great Place to Work Colombia.

Name

Grupo Puerto de Cartagena

Legal name

Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena S.A.

Website

https://puertocartagena.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Grupo Puerto de Cartagena is a privately held Colombian port and logistics platform operating two container/cargo terminals (SPRC and Contecar) and a cruise terminal in Cartagena, handling 4 million TEU in 2025 and serving global shipping lines, multinational distributors, 33 cruise lines, and Colombian trade customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Operations and Maritime Logistics

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (48831), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Container Terminal Operating Services & Management (Terminal Operator / Concessionaire) (TLAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cruise Terminal Operations & Management (TLAHAEAA), Baggage Handling, Storage & Passenger Logistics (TLAHAEAD), Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

Keywords

• Port terminal operations
• Container cargo handling
• Maritime logistics services
• Cruise terminal operations
• International distribution centers

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolívar

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Port Dues and Wharfage (Muellaje): Charges for vessel docking and berthing at port facilities for cargo ships, cruise vessels, and smaller watercraft. This is a core recurring revenue stream based on vessel size (TRB - Gross Registered Tons) and duration of stay.
2. Cargo Handling Services: Fees for loading, unloading, movement, and storage of containers and general cargo for import, export, and transit operations. Includes specialized services for reefer containers, IMO dangerous goods, project cargo, and oversized loads.
3. Cruise Terminal Services: Revenue from cruise ship operations including wharfage, shore excursion facility fees, cruise terminal service fees, potable water supply, and waste treatment. The cruise terminal contributes approximately USD 60 million annually to the local economy.
4. Logistics and Distribution Center Services: Value-added services including container filling/emptying, packing, repacking, labeling, palletizing, inspection, serial imprinting for international distribution centers (CDLI). Operates under DIAN-authorized customs logistics centers.
5. Land and Warehouse Rental: Storage services at port warehouses and distribution centers with up to one year storage plus one year automatic extension. Partial nationalization of cargo at customer's convenience.
6. Supply and Provisioning Services: Supply of potable water, fuel, provisions to vessels, and waste management services including bilge water, ballast water, garbage and waste treatment.
7. Administrative and Access Services: Fees from online transactions through SPRCOnline platform, payment processing services, and access control/carnetization fees for port personnel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Grupo Puerto de Cartagena operates two multipurpose maritime terminals (SPRC and Contecar) and a cruise terminal in Cartagena, Colombia, providing vessel berthing, containerized and general cargo handling, reefer, project, and dangerous goods handling, and value-added logistics through DIAN-authorized International Distribution Centers (CDLI). The group charges transaction-based port dues (muellaje), cargo handling fees, cruise terminal services, warehousing, and vessel provisioning, and serves shipping lines, importers, exporters, customs agencies, and cruise operators via the SPRCOnLine digital platform and Pórticolive information hub.

Product overview

Grupo Puerto de Cartagena operates a multi-terminal port infrastructure consisting of two main terminals (SPRC and Contecar) and a cruise terminal. The core digital product portfolio includes SPRCOnLine, a web-based portal for real-time port operations and transaction processing, and Pórticolive, an information hub for the maritime ecosystem. Supporting services include the Portal de Control de Acceso for visitor and access management, Portal de Proveedores for supplier relations, and a Maritime Routes Search tool. The group also offers logistics services through its International Distribution Centers (CDI/CDLI) under customs regulation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPRC (Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena): Primary multipurpose terminal handling containers, general cargo, ro-ro, and bulk. Operates under the full legal name Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena S.A.
• CONTECAR (Terminal de Contenedores de Cartagena)
• Pórticolive
• SPRCOnLine
• Terminal de Cruceros de Cartagena
• Port Oasis

Products and services

• SPRC (Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena) Terminal Operations Multipurpose maritime terminal at Manga, Cartagena, handling containers, general cargo, ro-ro, bulk, and cruise vessels for shipping lines, importers, exporters, and cruise operators.
• Contecar (Terminal de Contenedores de Cartagena) Container Terminal Operations Container terminal at Mamonal Km 1, Cartagena, specializing in containerized cargo handling with capacity for over 5 million TEU annually, serving global shipping lines and international distribution center customers.
• Terminal de Cruceros de Cartagena (Cruise Terminal Services) Cruise ship berthing, passenger terminal services, shore excursion facilities, and vessel provisioning for 33 cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC, Silversea, Oceania, and National Geographic, handling 97% of Colombia's maritime cruise passengers.
• International Distribution Centers (CDLI / Centros de Distribución Internacional) DIAN-authorized bonded logistics and distribution services including storage up to one year with automatic extension, partial nationalization of cargo, consolidation/deconsolidation, labeling, packing, inspection, and serial imprinting for multinational clients such as Samsung, Ford, Pirelli, Bayer, and RedBull.
• SPRCOnLine Digital Platform Web-based portal enabling shipping agents, customs agencies, importers, exporters, transport companies, and government entities to perform real-time cargo manifest registration, export reservations, OTM generation, authorization requests, appointment scheduling, and online invoice generation and payment. Used by 1,616 registered companies and 2,500 active users.
• Pórticolive Information Hub Information hub for the port, maritime, and international trade ecosystem providing periodic reports, industry analysis, vessel announcements, departures, and berth status for the port ecosystem.
• Portal de Control de Acceso (Access Control Portal) Online portal providing detailed guides, visitor access procedures, ID/carnetization badge issuance, online procedures, and element entry/exit management for port personnel and visitors.
• Buscador de Rutas Marítimas (Maritime Route Search Tool) Online search tool allowing users to query available maritime routes from and to Grupo Puerto de Cartagena by country and port for import and export cargo with participating shipping lines.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 million TEU mobilized in 2025 - historic record after 32 years of operations
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CelsiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelsia and Contecar developed a megatecho (large solar roof) energy project at the Contecar port facility in Cartagena. This is a renewable energy partnership contributing to the port's sustainability goals and reducing operational carbon footprint.
• Hapag-LloydminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHapag-Lloyd, a global shipping line, operates at the port and participates in community programs with the Fundación Puerto de Cartagena. The shipping line conducted visits to neighborhood schools (Ceballos and El Zapatero) as part of a public-private alliance for the Escuela Inteligente (Smart School) program expansion.
• Fundación Puerto de CartagenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Grupo Puerto de Cartagena established the Fundación Puerto de Cartagena (FPC) in 2005 to manage social investment resources. The Foundation manages community development programs, environmental initiatives (Port Oasis Ecopark), and educational programs including Escuela Inteligente, benefiting children and adolescents.
• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrupo Puerto de Cartagena is a signatory to the UN Global Compact and adheres to the Sustainable Ocean Principles. The port contributes to all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and over 100 specific SDG targets, publishing regular SDG reports.
• EcoportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe port group is Ecoports certified, demonstrating compliance with environmental management standards specific to the port sector. This certification supports the port's sustainability credentials and environmental management practices.
• DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales de Colombia)coreOthersDIAN is the Colombian tax and customs authority that authorizes and regulates the port's International Distribution Centers (CDLI) operations. The port operates as a DIAN-authorized logistics center providing customs-bonded storage and customs clearance services.
• DIMAR (Dirección General Marítima)coreOthersDIMAR is the Colombian maritime authority whose pilots (practical pilots) must be present during fuel supply and cleaning operations at the port. The port coordinates maritime operations with DIMAR for vessel maneuvering and pilotage services.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA): Industry association representing cruise line operators (Royal Caribbean, MSC, Silversea, etc.) that are key customers of Cartagena's cruise terminal; useful as an ecosystem reference rather than a peer operator.
• Celsia (energy partner, not direct peer): Partner of Contecar on the megatecho solar project; included here as a relevant ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• DP World: Global terminal operator with Caribbean presence via DP World Caucedo (Dominican Republic) and multiple LatAm facilities; competes with Cartagena for transshipment cargo and global shipping line contracts.
• APM Terminals: Maersk-owned terminal operator with extensive LatAm network including facilities in Brazil, Mexico, and Central America; competes for shipping line routing decisions in the Caribbean basin.
• PSA International: One of the world's largest terminal operators with deep Latin American presence; competes for shipping line alliances and represents the benchmark against which Cartagena's container productivity is measured.
• Hutchison Ports: Operates container terminals across the Caribbean and Latin America including Freeport (Bahamas) and Puerto Cortés; directly comparable as a global terminal operator serving the same shipping lines that call Cartagena.

Direct peers

• Terminal de Contenedores de Buenaventura (TCBUEN): Colombia's Pacific coast container terminal; together with SPRC/Contecar forms the country's main container gateway pair and competes for national import/export cargo routing.
• Kingston Freeport Terminal: Jamaica's main container terminal; competes for Caribbean transshipment and Latin American gateway traffic, positioning itself as an alternative to Cartagena for global liner alliances.
• Caucedo Multimodal Terminal: Dominican Republic transshipment hub operated by DP World; competes with Cartagena for Caribbean transshipment volumes and Latin American feeder connections.
• Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura (SPRBUN): Multipurpose regional port society on Colombia's Pacific coast; competes for Colombian container volumes and offers an alternative gateway serving Pacific shipping routes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PuertoCTG
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@grupopuertodecartagena2290
• Facebookfacebook.com/PuertoCTG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/puertoctg
• Instagraminstagram.com/puertoctg

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grupo Puerto de Cartagena