Puerto Antioquia has launched a new weekly maritime route connecting Colombia with major Asian ports, including China, creating additional opportunities for importers and exporters seeking more direct access to international markets.
The service, known as PEX2, is operated by French shipping company CMA CGM and adds Puerto Antioquia, located in Turbo, in the Uraba region of Antioquia, to its international shipping network. The connection is expected to expand Colombia’s logistics options and strengthen trade links between the country and Asia.
According to information published by the shipping company and the port, the service’s first vessel was scheduled to call at Puerto Antioquia on Oct. 8, 2026. The port subsequently announced the official start of the new connection.
How long will the maritime route from Asia to Puerto Antioquia take?
The new service offers estimated transit times of between 34 and 36 days from Asian ports to Puerto Antioquia, depending on the port of origin.
The vessels serving the route have an average capacity of approximately 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the standard measurement used to describe container shipping capacity. They can reach lengths of up to 366 meters, placing them among the larger container ships operating in the Americas.
The PEX2 route includes calls at major Asian ports such as Vung Tau in Vietnam, Shekou, Hong Kong, Ningbo, Shanghai and Qingdao in China, as well as Busan in South Korea.
From Asia, the service crosses the Pacific and calls at ports in Mexico and Panama before reaching Cartagena and Puerto Antioquia. It then continues to Caucedo in the Dominican Republic and Kingston, Jamaica.
Although the service provides a direct port connection within the broader shipping rotation, transit times and schedules will depend on the departure port, vessel itinerary, and operating conditions.
The addition of Puerto Antioquia gives businesses another option for moving containerized cargo between Asia and Colombia.
Why the new route matters for Colombian trade
Asia is a major source of Colombia’s containerized imports. Figures cited by Puerto Antioquia indicate that the continent accounts for approximately 52% of the country’s container trade.
The new service could be particularly relevant for businesses in Antioquia, where imported industrial inputs, machinery, electronics, consumer goods, and other merchandise support commercial and manufacturing activity.
Puerto Antioquia estimates that between 20% and 22% of Colombia’s imports arriving from Asia are ultimately destined for Antioquia. Establishing a connection through Uraba could help bring some of that cargo closer to its final destination.
The port is located approximately 290 kilometers from Medellin, offering an alternative to routes that require cargo to travel farther overland from other Colombian ports. The overall savings for importers, however, will depend on shipping rates, inland transportation costs, customs procedures, and the final delivery location.
A new maritime connection does not automatically guarantee cheaper goods or shorter total delivery times. Nevertheless, additional shipping options can improve flexibility for companies planning their supply chains and managing delivery schedules.
Puerto Antioquia expands its international network
The PEX2 service also strengthens the role of Puerto Antioquia as an emerging logistics gateway for Colombia. The terminal began operations in early 2026, adding capacity to the country’s port infrastructure and providing an alternative for international cargo movements. Colombia’s National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) confirmed the port’s authorization to handle imports, exports, and customs transit.
CMA CGM says the new port call was incorporated into PEX2 to improve coverage and provide competitive transit times from Asia. The company also says the service offers a transit time only two days longer than Cartagena, giving shippers another option when selecting an entry point for Colombian cargo.
The connection is part of a broader effort to diversify the port’s international links. With the addition of PEX2, Puerto Antioquia has expanded its regular shipping services and its coverage of major trade markets, including the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia.
What it could mean for businesses and consumers
For importers, a weekly maritime connection can provide another option when planning shipments, managing inventory and coordinating deliveries. Companies may also be able to compare different ports and inland transport arrangements to identify the most efficient combination for their operations.
Exporters could benefit from the broader network as well, although the commercial impact will depend on cargo availability, shipping schedules, and the specific markets they serve.
The new connection is particularly significant for Antioquia’s economy because it offers an alternative route for cargo destined for Medellin and other commercial centers. Its eventual impact on prices and delivery times will depend on how shipping companies, freight forwarders, and land transport operators integrate the service into existing supply chains.
For Colombia, the route represents another step toward strengthening trade connections with Asia, a region that plays a major role in global manufacturing and international commerce.
The launch of PEX2 does not eliminate the country’s existing maritime routes or guarantee immediate reductions in logistics costs. However, by adding a weekly connection to major Asian ports, Puerto Antioquia is expanding the choices available to Colombian businesses seeking to move goods between continents.
As the terminal develops its operations, its ability to combine maritime connectivity with efficient customs processing and inland transportation will be crucial to determining how much value the new route delivers to the wider economy.