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The Port of La Unión has seen an increase in maritime and commercial activity during the first 10 months of 2026, receiving 108 ships and nearly 30,000 vehicles, according to Luis Canto, general manager of Unión Portuaria del Pacífico, who spoke during a visit to the maritime terminal this friday.
The executive explained that since the arrival of Unión Portuaria del Pacífico, a primary objective has been to drive the reactivation of the Port of La Unión, in line with the vision of President Nayib Bukele. According to Canto, the terminal has expanded its operations and now functions as a regional hub for the movement of various types of cargo.
Regarding vessel traffic, Canto noted that approximately 70 ships arrived during the first 10 months of 2025, while that figure reached 108 during the same period in 2026. This represents growth of over 50% a trend also reflected in the number of vehicles handled.
Between january and october of this year, nearly 30,000 vehicles passed through the maritime terminal, compared to approximately 20,000 recorded during the same period in 2025. The general manager highlighted that this increase demonstrates both the expansion of operations and growing interest from companies in utilizing the port facilities.
Commercial activity is not limited to motor vehicles. Canto explained that the port also handles fertilizers for the agricultural sector, as well as cement, steel, and construction materials. This diversity of cargo allows the port to meet the needs of various productive sectors and expand its role in regional trade.
Furthermore, he indicated that vehicles entering through La Unión do not necessarily remain in El Salvador, as some are distributed to other Central American markets, such as Nicaragua and Guatemala. Export operations to Honduras also take place, while some vessels unload vehicles and subsequently load units for transport to other countries.
Regarding fertilizers, the executive noted that the terminal receives vessels arriving from China, South America, and the United States. In addition to the movement of goods, he highlighted that port activity currently generates more than 350 direct and indirect jobs, primarily for residents of nearby communities.
Canto said that the port of La Unión has established itself as a regional hub for the movement of vehicles and other products, with growing interest from companies in utilizing its facilities. The figures for vessels and cargo handled during the first 10 months of 2026 reflect the growth in operations at this maritime terminal.
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