Port guide · UN/LOCODE EC ESM
Esmeraldas, Ecuador
Ecuador · 1.00° N, 79.65° W
The World Port Index classes Esmeraldas as a river port reached from the North Pacific Ocean. It records a channel depth of 9.4 m and a cargo pier depth of 11 m. Norfolk is 4,000 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 9.4 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Max vessel length
- 230 m
- From Norfolk
- 4,000 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Manta250 km away
Depths and vessel limits
Of the 4 ports in Ecuador with guides here, Esmeraldas records the deepest cargo pier in the index. The index sets a maximum vessel length of 230 m and a maximum draft of 10.5 m.
- Channel depth
- 9.4 m
- Anchorage depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 11 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 4.9 m
- Tidal range
- 2.9 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 230 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 38 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 10.5 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
Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- No
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- No
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- No
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
Services and supplies
- Electrical repair
- No
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- No
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- No
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Ecuador
- US exports, 2025
- $8.5BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $9.0BLed by mineral fuels and oils
Other ports in Ecuador
The nearest is Manta, 250 km away in a straight line.
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.