Port guide · UN/LOCODE AR MDQ
Mar del Plata, Argentina
Argentina · 38.03° S, 57.53° W · Also listed as Puerto Mar del Plata
The World Port Index classes Mar del Plata as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the South Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 6.4 m and a cargo pier depth of 11 m. Norfolk is 8,550 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 6.4 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Max vessel length
- 280 m
- From Norfolk
- 8,550 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Quequen120 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 280 m.
- Channel depth
- 6.4 m
- Anchorage depth
- 12.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 6.4 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 280 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Mar del Plata is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Good
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
Cargo handling
Cargo facilities on record: container. The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Container
- Yes
- Wharves
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Floating cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Medium
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Argentina
- US exports, 2025
- $10.0BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
- US imports, 2025
- $8.3BLed by mineral fuels and oils
Other ports in Argentina
The nearest is Quequen, 120 km away in a straight line.
- Bahia BlancaCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 9.4 mAR BHI
- Buenos AiresCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mAR BUE
- Comodoro RivadaviaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 23.2 m, container, breakbulk and bulkAR CRD
- La PlataCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 7.9 mAR LPG
- ParanaCargo pier 3.4 m, channel 3.4 mAR PRA
- Puerto BelgranoCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 9.4 mAR PBG
- Puerto DeseadoCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 m, container and breakbulkAR PUD
- Puerto GallegosCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 1.8 m, bulkAR RGL
- Puerto Ingeniero WhiteCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 12.5 mAR INW
- Puerto MadrynCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 4.9 mAR PMY
- Puerto San JulianCargo pier 6.4 mAR SJL
- Puerto Santa CruzCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 mAR RZA
- QuequenCargo pier 11 m, channel 7.9 mAR QQN
- San LorenzoCargo pier 11 m, channel 7.9 mAR SLO
- Santa FeCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 3.4 mAR SFN
- UshuaiaCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 1.8 mAR USH
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.