GW plus three-character location code
A Guinea-bissau UN/LOCODE begins with GW, followed by three letters. Examples in the Ecer Freight sample include GWBIS for Bissau, GWBOL for Bolama and GWCAC for Cacheu.
Seaports in Guinea-bissau: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Guinea-bissau has 6 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, with Bissau serving as the country’s principal maritime gateway for international cargo and regional coastal trade.
Review UN/LOCODE records, regional port coverage and practical shipping information for Guinea-bissau.
Guinea-bissau Port Overview
Guinea-bissau has a small maritime network concentrated around Bissau and the Bijagós archipelago. Bissau is the principal commercial gateway, while other listed locations generally have more localized, island, riverine or regional functions. Indexed coverage is distinct from an official national port inventory or a global container-port ranking.
6
Guinea-bissau ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
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Official maritime cargo volume, 2025; YoY change not published in a verified public series
Official national statistics · 2025
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Container throughput in TEU, 2025; YoY change not published in a verified public series
Port and maritime statistics · 2025
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Commercial berth count, 2025; YoY change not published in a verified public series
Port infrastructure sources · 2025
How many seaports does Guinea-bissau have?
Guinea-bissau has 6 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage count, not necessarily a complete legal or administrative inventory of every landing point.
What is the largest or busiest port in Guinea-bissau?
Bissau is generally regarded as Guinea-bissau’s principal commercial seaport and is represented in the database by UN/LOCODE GWBIS. Publicly comparable 2025 container throughput figures are not consistently reported.
Which areas handle most of Guinea-bissau’s maritime cargo?
The main cargo concentration is around Bissau and its coastal access routes, with Bissau (GWBIS) serving as the key international gateway. Bolama (GWBOL), Bubaque (GWBQE and GWBUB) and Cacheu (GWCAC) have more localized regional or island roles.
Top Ports in Guinea-bissau
The table below follows the Ecer Freight database activity order. Guinea-bissau does not have a consistently published public league table for 2025 container throughput covering all six indexed locations, so unverifiable rank and volume figures are not estimated.
Indexed port and terminal sample, ordered by database activity
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Bissau | GWBIS | — | — | Bissau coastal gateway |
| — | Bissau | GWOXB | — | — | Bissau coastal gateway |
| — | Bolama | GWBOL | — | — | Bijagós archipelago |
| — | Bubaque | GWBQE | — | — | Bijagós archipelago |
| — | Bubaque | GWBUB | — | — | Bijagós archipelago |
| — | Cacheu | GWCAC | — | — | Cacheu coastal and river region |
Guinea-bissau Port Regions
Bissau Coastal Gateway
Bissau is the country’s principal urban, commercial and logistics concentration. The two indexed Bissau records should be checked against the specific carrier, terminal or operational reference used for a shipment.
Ports and terminals in the Bissau coastal gateway
Bijagós Archipelago
The Bijagós island group supports inter-island mobility and localized coastal activity. Service frequency, draft, handling facilities and sailing schedules are typically more limited than at the Bissau gateway.
Indexed ports in the Bijagós archipelago
Cacheu Coastal and River Region
Cacheu represents a northern coastal and river-connected location. Cargo handling is generally more localized, and ocean freight planning should confirm navigational, equipment and inland transfer conditions before booking.
Indexed port in the Cacheu coastal and river region
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cacheu | GWCAC | Cacheu | Localized coastal and river-linked cargo |
Guinea-bissau Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
UN/LOCODEs identify trade and transport locations using a two-letter country prefix and a three-character location code. The country prefix for Guinea-bissau is GW.
City-level and terminal-level records
Different records may refer to a city, port area, terminal or operational location. Bissau appears as both GWBIS and GWOXB, so the applicable code should be confirmed against the carrier booking, bill of lading and terminal instructions.
How to verify a port code
Check the latest UN/LOCODE reference maintained by UNECE and compare it with the Ecer Freight port directory. Use the country port index at Port Codes to review available records.
Shipping from Guinea-bissau: Main Trade Lanes
International shipping from Guinea-bissau is typically organized through Bissau, with onward connections via regional West African and European hubs. Transit times, routing and equipment availability are subject to carrier schedules, transshipment plans, port conditions and customs requirements.
Guinea-bissau to West Africa
Regional cargo can connect Bissau with coastal West African markets through direct or transshipment services, depending on the carrier network.
Guinea-bissau to Europe
European-bound exports and imports generally rely on feeder or transshipment arrangements and require confirmation of the ocean carrier’s current service pattern.
Island and coastal distribution
Island and coastal shipments may use smaller vessels or local maritime services, with handling and sailing frequency varying by season and operating conditions.
Northern coastal and river movements
Cacheu-related cargo is more likely to involve localized coastal, river-connected or multimodal movements than regular deep-sea container calls.
Data Sources and Methodology
This page separates Ecer Freight’s indexed port coverage from official statistics and international port league tables. Figures are shown only where a reliable, comparable public source is available.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party database snapshot from Nov 2026, containing 6 Guinea-bissau port and terminal records.
- UNECE — reference framework for UN/LOCODE country and location coding.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime geographic reference material used for location cross-checking where applicable.
- Guinea-bissau official transport and statistical authorities — national cargo, infrastructure and maritime indicators for the latest complete reporting year, generally 2025 where published.
- Carrier and port operating information — used as a practical reference for indicative routing and transit descriptions; schedules remain subject to confirmation.
Guinea-bissau Port FAQ
How many seaports does Guinea-bissau have?
Guinea-bissau has 6 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. The figure describes indexed coverage and should not be treated as a complete statutory inventory of every landing point.
What is the main port in Guinea-bissau?
Bissau is generally the main commercial port in Guinea-bissau. Ecer Freight lists Bissau under GWBIS and also includes a second Bissau record, GWOXB, which may represent a separate operational or terminal-level reference.
What is the UN/LOCODE prefix for Guinea-bissau?
The UN/LOCODE country prefix for Guinea-bissau is GW. Examples include GWBIS for Bissau, GWBOL for Bolama and GWCAC for Cacheu.
Which regions contain Guinea-bissau ports?
The indexed locations are concentrated in the Bissau coastal gateway, the Bijagós archipelago and the Cacheu coastal and river region. Bissau generally handles the country’s most significant international commercial activity.
Are 2025 Guinea-bissau port throughput figures available?
A consistently comparable public 2025 container-throughput series was not verified for all six indexed Guinea-bissau locations. For that reason, the page does not estimate TEU, world rank or year-on-year change.
How can a shipment from Guinea-bissau be quoted?
A freight quote should specify the exact origin code, destination, cargo description, weight, volume, container type, Incoterm and required service. FCL and LCL rate tools can be used to request indicative sea-freight pricing, subject to carrier and routing confirmation.
Are transit times from Guinea-bissau fixed?
No. Transit times are indicative and can change with transshipment, vessel schedules, weather, port operations, customs clearance and equipment availability. The final carrier schedule should be confirmed before booking.
Editorial note: This guide combines the Ecer Freight first-party port index with publicly available maritime coding and transport references. Port records are reviewed and refreshed on a rolling basis, while statistical indicators are updated when a reliable official or widely recognized public release becomes available.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Guinea-bissau: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact