Operations at El Salvador’s Port of La Unión have expanded significantly in 2026, recording a more than 50% increase in both vessel arrivals and vehicle imports during the first 10 months of the year. Speaking from the maritime terminal on Friday, Unión Portuaria del Pacífico General Manager Luis Canto confirmed that the port has already welcomed 108 vessels—up from roughly 70 during the same period last year—while handling nearly 30,000 vehicles, compared to 20,000 in 2025. Canto noted that this upward trajectory stems from executing President Nayib Bukele’s vision to reactivate the strategic eastern port, adding that “the Port of La Unión has established itself as a regional hub for vehicles and other goods, and corporate interest in using it is steadily growing.”
Beyond automotive imports, the terminal has diversified its maritime freight to support agricultural and infrastructure supply chains across the region. Vessels arriving from the United States, China, and South America regularly offload bulk shipments of fertilizer, cement, steel, and construction materials, while outbound operations continue to gain momentum. Rather than serving solely as a domestic entry point, the port now functions as a two-way distribution center where ships load and dispatch vehicles and goods to neighboring markets, including Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
This sustained surge in maritime logistics is also delivering direct economic benefits to El Salvador’s eastern communities. According to Canto, current port operations generate more than 350 direct and indirect jobs, primarily employing residents from surrounding areas. As international shipping lines increasingly leverage the terminal’s capacity for cross-border trade, the Port of La Unión is cementing its role as a vital commercial gateway for Central America.