Bahia de San Juan, the most
important commercial port in Puerto Rico, is about 60 miles east of Punta
Borinquen and 30 miles west of Cabo San Juan.
It is the only harbor on the north coast which affords protection in all
weather. It is protected on the north
by the relatively high land of Isla San Juan, and on the south, east, and west
by the adjacent low mangrove swamps of the Puerto Rico mainland.
Metropolitan San Juan, the capital and principal port of Puerto
Rico, includes Isla San Juan on the north side of Bahia de San Juan and the
communities surrounding the bay. The
principal commercial facilities are on the south side of Isla San Juan (Old San
Juan). Container cargo terminals are on
the north side of Isla Grande and at Puerto Nuevo in the southeast part of the
bay.
The principal imports into the harbor include foodstuffs,
textiles, building materials, machinery, fertilizers, and petroleum
products. Exports include sugar,
molasses, fruit, tobacco, coffee, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and
alcoholic products. Over half the
commerce of Puerto Rico passes through San Juan. Most commercial and government activities are located there as well.
Puerto Rico Towing & Barge Co. has three tugs; HONCHO, PUNTA BORINQUEN and TRITON stationed in San Juan.