AW Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
Aruba uses the AW country prefix in UN/LOCODE notation. The full five-character structure combines AW with a three-letter location identifier, as in AWORJ for Oranjestad.
Seaports in Aruba: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Aruba has 6 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Caribbean cruise, cargo and regional maritime connections.
Explore Aruba's port codes, cargo gateways and indicative shipping lanes for 2026 planning.
Aruba Port Overview
Aruba is a Caribbean maritime destination with a compact port network. Its port activity is concentrated around Oranjestad, Barcadera and the southern Sint Nicolaas area, while the Ecer Freight index records six port and terminal entries.
6
Aruba ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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National maritime cargo volume, 2025; YoY not publicly reported
APA 2025 public data
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Container throughput in TEU, 2025; YoY not publicly reported
APA 2025 public data
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Commercial berth count, 2025; YoY not publicly reported
APA 2025 public data
How many seaports does Aruba have?
Aruba has 6 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its November 2026 database snapshot.
Which port is the main maritime gateway in Aruba?
Oranjestad, UN/LOCODE AWORJ, is the leading named maritime gateway in the indexed sample, with a strong cruise and general maritime role.
Which areas handle Aruba's main cargo activity?
The principal cargo areas are the Oranjestad area, including Barcadera (AWBAR), and the southern Sint Nicolaas area, represented by Sint Nicolaas (AWSNL).
Top Ports in Aruba by Indexed Activity
The table below follows the activity order of the Ecer Freight sample. Aruba does not have a consistently published public 2025 container league table covering every indexed entry, so unavailable ranking, throughput and year-on-year fields are shown consistently as unavailable rather than estimated.
Indexed port sample and 2025 public throughput availability
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Oranjestad | AWORJ | — | — | Western Aruba |
| — | Aruba | AWAUA | — | — | Island-wide registry |
| — | Barcadera | AWBAR | — | — | Central Aruba |
| — | Orangestad | AWORA | — | — | Western Aruba |
| — | San Nicolas Pay | ANSNB | — | — | Southern Aruba |
| — | Sint Nicolaas | AWSNL | — | — | Southern Aruba |
Aruba Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Western Aruba
The western cluster is centered on Oranjestad and is associated with cruise, passenger and general maritime activity.
Western Aruba indexed entries
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oranjestad | AWORJ | Oranjestad / — | Cruise, passenger and general maritime activity |
| Orangestad | AWORA | — / — | Port-code entry associated with the Oranjestad area |
Central Aruba
Central Aruba includes Barcadera, an important indexed location for industrial, cargo and logistics-related maritime activity.
Central Aruba indexed entries
Southern Aruba
The southern cluster covers the Sint Nicolaas area and is relevant to energy, industrial and general cargo movements.
Southern Aruba indexed entries
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Nicolas Pay | ANSNB | — / — | Southern Aruba port-code entry |
| Sint Nicolaas | AWSNL | Sint Nicolaas / — | Industrial and general cargo support |
Aruba Port Codes and UN/LOCODE Structure
City-Level and Terminal-Level Entries
A city-level entry may identify a broader maritime location, while a terminal or facility entry can represent a more specific operating point. Similar names should therefore be checked against the exact code before booking.
How to Verify a Port Code
Verify the spelling, AW prefix and three-letter suffix against UNECE references and compare the result with the Ecer Freight port directory before preparing shipping documents.
Shipping from Aruba: Main Trade Lanes
Aruba shipping schedules are commonly connected to regional Caribbean and North American gateway networks. Transit times are indicative only and depend on routing, transshipment, vessel availability, cargo readiness and customs clearance.
Aruba to North America
General cargo and containerized shipments can move from Oranjestad or Barcadera through Caribbean feeder and gateway networks toward North American destinations.
Aruba to the Caribbean
Regional feeder services link Aruba with nearby Caribbean markets, with routing determined by the carrier network and available transshipment connections.
Aruba to Europe
Europe-bound cargo generally depends on transshipment through a suitable Caribbean or Atlantic gateway rather than a direct sailing on every schedule.
Southern Aruba Cargo Connections
Shipments associated with the southern industrial area may use Sint Nicolaas-area facilities, with the final service pattern depending on cargo type and port acceptance.
Data Sources and Methodology
Port names and indexed coverage are separated from national or international throughput statistics. Where a comparable 2025 official figure was not available, the page uses an em dash rather than an inferred estimate.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party index containing 6 Aruba port and terminal entries; snapshot reviewed in Nov 2026.
- UNECE — international UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime geographic and port reference information.
- Aruba Ports Authority — official port authority context and operational information.
- Central Bureau of Statistics Aruba — official national statistical context where maritime indicators are published.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aruba Ports
How many seaports does Aruba have?
Aruba has 6 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the November 2026 database snapshot.
What is the main port in Aruba?
Oranjestad is the leading named port in the indexed Aruba sample and is associated with cruise, passenger and general maritime activity. Its UN/LOCODE is AWORJ.
What is the UN/LOCODE prefix for Aruba?
Aruba uses the AW country prefix. Examples in the indexed sample include AWORJ for Oranjestad, AWBAR for Barcadera and AWSNL for Sint Nicolaas.
Which areas are important for Aruba cargo?
The main indexed areas are Oranjestad in the west, Barcadera in central Aruba and the Sint Nicolaas area in the south. Cargo roles can vary by facility and service.
Are 2025 Aruba port throughput figures available?
A consistently comparable official 2025 TEU series was not identified for every indexed Aruba entry. The page therefore does not estimate throughput or year-on-year change.
How can shippers verify an Aruba port code?
Check the AW prefix and the exact three-letter location suffix against UNECE references, then compare the result with the Ecer Freight port directory before issuing shipping documents.
How can a shipper request an Aruba sea freight quote?
Shippers can request indicative FCL or LCL pricing through the relevant Ecer Freight quote pages. Final rates and transit times remain subject to cargo details, sailing schedules, capacity and confirmation.
Editorial note: This page combines Ecer Freight's first-party port index with publicly available maritime and statistical references. Indexed port coverage is reviewed with database updates, while operational details, schedules and market statistics are reviewed quarterly or when authoritative updates become available.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Aruba: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact