
Puerto Cortés continues to consolidate its position as a benchmark in port efficiency for Central America and #1 in the CA-4 and Belize, according to official data from the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2020–2024. According to the report, prepared by the World Bank and S&P Global, ports were analyzed based on the time ships spend in port, which makes it a key factor in operational competitiveness.
Puerto Cortés is among the ports that have maintained the most stable performance in the face of global shocks, such as the pandemic, the maritime diversion due to the Red Sea crisis, and the Panama Canal’s water restrictions, which affected many ports in 2024.
The CPPI’s performance and historical trend analysis show that, during the 2020–2024 period, Puerto Cortés had a stable and positive trajectory, moving from fourth place in the region in 2023 to second place in Central America, maintaining its first position in the CA-4 ports (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and Belize.

Unlike other ports in the region, Puerto Cortés has not experienced sharp declines, reflecting sustained efficiency that constitutes a clear competitive advantage over the volatility exhibited by other players.
In the regional comparison, Puerto Moín-Limón in Costa Rica consolidated its position as the strongest in the Central American region in 2024 (CPPI 47 and ranking 66), followed by Puerto Cortés leading the northern Central American triangle (CPPI 22 and ranking 110), and Puerto Barrios in Guatemala (CPPI 12, position 145). In contrast, other key ports recorded significant declines, showing poor performance.
Ranking 110th globally in 2024 and consolidating its position as the second best in Central America confirms that Puerto Cortés is a stable, competitive port with opportunities for future development, which has managed to maintain its efficiency over time. Its evolution demonstrates greater resilience and consistency compared to other leading ports in the region, thus reaffirming its strategic role as a reliable logistics partner for regional and global trade.
You may also be interested in reading: