Port of Mayagüez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Port of Mayagüez |
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| Location | |
| Location |  Mayagüez, Puerto Rico |
| Coordinates | 18°13′06.47″N 67°09′36.70″W / 18.2184639°N 67.1601944°W |
| Details | |
| Operated by | Holland Group Port Mayagüez Inc. |
| Owned by | Mayagüez Port Commission |
| Type of harbor | Coastal Natural |
| Wharfs | 4 |
| Cranes | 0-24 Ton Lifts |
| Channel depth | 16 feet (4.9 m) - 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| Statistics | |
| Passenger traffic | 170,000 |
| Main export | Tuna |
The Port of Mayagüez is a busy seaport located northwest of the main part of Mayagüez city in Mayagüez Bay, Puerto Rico. It is one of the busiest ports on the island. The port is found near Puerto Rico roads 64, 341, and 3341. It stretches for about 3.8 miles (6.1 kilometers) along the coast.
The port's main channel is about 0.4 miles (0.6 kilometers) wide. The water in this channel is very deep, from 47 to 120 feet (14 to 36 meters). Near the docks (piers), the water is about 28 to 29 feet (8.5 to 8.8 meters) deep. Natural reefs protect the port from rough ocean waves, especially along its northern and western sides.
For many years, Ferries del Caribe was the main company using the port. They offered daily ferry service to the Dominican Republic. Since March 2011, America Cruise Ferries has provided this ferry service. During the winter of 2010-2011, cruise ships like the MS Prinsendam from the Holland America Line also visited the port.
The Port's Long History
The area around Mayagüez Bay was known as a port as early as 1754. This was six years before Mayagüez was even officially a town! At first, most trade was unofficial or "contraband" because there was no official business with Spain, which ruled Puerto Rico at the time.
In 1815, a special law called the Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 encouraged foreigners with money and workers to move to Puerto Rico. This helped the port grow. By 1838, a Customs House (Aduana) was opened to manage official trade.
Between 1813 and 1827, the Port of Mayagüez became the biggest exporter of goods from Puerto Rico to other countries. In 1827, a road was built to connect the city center to the port area, making it easier to move goods. By 1858, a major trade book called the "Cyclopedia of Commerce and Commercial Navigation" said that Mayagüez was the most important port in Puerto Rico.
Because it was so important, the local government built a dock and a warehouse by 1836 to help load and unload goods. The port was managed by local funds until 1886. In 1935, a modern shipping terminal was built. Later, in 1959, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority took over the port. Before 1940, the Port of Mayagüez was the main place for exporting sugar from Puerto Rico. Today, the local government of Mayagüez owns the port, and since 2007, it has been managed by the Holland Group.
See also
In Spanish: Puerto de Mayagüez para niños
- Transportation in Puerto Rico
- Port of San Juan
- Port of Ponce
