A new $1.3 billion megaport is planned for the Urabá region of Antioquia, Colombia, a project poised to nearly double the investment of the existing Puerto Antioquia. The initiative, named Puerto Progreso de Urabá, aims to establish a new logistical and energy hub for the Colombian Caribbean.
The project is being led by Andrés Bustos, the CEO of PLC, a firm with a track record of infrastructure and energy investments totaling $2.7 billion in Colombia and who was also instrumental in the development of Puerto Antioquia. According to documents accessed by Valora Analitik, the new port will be located in Nueva Colonia, Turbo, adjacent to Puerto Antioquia.
Puerto Progreso de Urabá is envisioned to handle up to four million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) annually at full capacity. The first phase of the project, with an estimated investment of $1.15 billion, will include $628 million for civil works, $194 million for equipment and automation, and $328 million for contingencies. A liquid terminal is also planned for the first phase, with a $200 million investment.
The strategic location of the port, approximately 250 nautical miles from the Panama Canal – roughly a 12-hour voyage – is a key advantage, positioning it as a competitive access point to the major maritime artery of the Americas. The port will connect to Medellín and the interior of Colombia via the Autopista Mar 2 highway.
Project proponents estimate the port could reduce distances by 35% to 60% for approximately 75% of Colombia’s GDP, particularly benefiting regions like Antioquia, Córdoba, Chocó, Risaralda, and Quindío, which collectively represent around 25% of the national GDP and over 12 million inhabitants.
The project’s application for a concession was filed on July 18, 2025, with a requested operational period of 40 years. The port is designed to accommodate container ships up to 24,000 TEUs and 400 meters in length, as well as Suezmax tankers.
Beyond container traffic, Puerto Progreso de Urabá plans to handle liquid bulk, including non-hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon products, as well as natural gas and potentially liquefied natural gas (LNG). The infrastructure will include specialized jetties for hydrocarbons and LNG, and cryogenic storage tanks with a capacity of up to 63,000 m³ of LNG.
The project also aims to support Colombia’s energy transition by providing a hub for low-emission marine fuels, SAF, ammonia, and hydrogen. Antioquia currently consumes approximately 70 million cubic feet of natural gas daily, creating a demand for a local LNG supply source.
Construction is estimated to take 36 months following the receipt of necessary approvals.
