Atlantico
Colombia's Caribbean gateway: Port of Barranquilla hit record 13.44M tons in 2024, with $600M FDI the previous year.
Where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea, Barranquilla grew as Colombia's gateway to the Atlantic trade. The port city sits strategically between Santa Marta to the east and Cartagena to the west, forming the heart of Colombia's Caribbean axis. For over 60 years, the Zona Franca Barranquilla has operated as one of Latin America's oldest free trade zones, positioning the department as a logistics hub.
In 2024, the Port of Barranquilla set its all-time record: 13.44 million tons of cargo, up 9% from 2023. Solid bulk led at 40%, followed by coke at 24%, liquids at 15%, and containers at 10%. Navigational depth exceeded 10 meters for nearly two consecutive years. The previous year had already attracted $600 million in investment—130% above 2022—creating over 2,200 jobs. FDI Intelligence ranked Barranquilla among the top 100 cities globally for investment growth.
Port expansion will add 2 million tons of annual capacity. The modernized Palermo terminal now handles 780,000 tons with additional grain silos. By 2026, Atlántico will test whether its Caribbean logistics position can attract the food, renewable energy, and circular economy investments Governor Eduardo Verano is targeting—or whether Colombia's Caribbean remains overshadowed by Cartagena's tourist glamour.