The Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Corporation Limited (PLIPDECO) is a publicly traded state enterprise, owned 51% by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and 49% by private institutional investors, including banks and insurance companies. Since its incorporation on September 16, 1966, PLIPDECO has played a pivotal role in the country’s industrial and economic development and will commemorate its 60th Anniversary in 2026.
PLIPDECO operates through two core business lines: Industrial Estate Management and Port Operations, delivering integrated services that support national trade, investment and industrial growth.
As landlord of the 869.55 hectare Point Lisas Industrial Estate, PLIPDECO oversees one of the world’s most established gas-based industrial estates. The Industrial Estate accommodates 79 tenants engaged in the production of globally traded commodities such as ammonia, methanol, urea and steel, alongside a diverse mix of manufacturing and service industries. Through strategic estate management, the Corporation continues to enable efficiency, competitiveness and long-term investment.
The Port of Point Lisas, originally developed to support the Industrial Estate, has evolved into a modern, multi-purpose facility capable of efficiently handling bulk, break-bulk, general and containerised cargo. Today, it stands as one of Trinidad and Tobago’s two main ports and a critical hub for national trade.
The Port accounts for over 65% of full domestic container traffic comprising of 52% of full imports and 87% of full exports. Transhipment activity represents 27% of container volumes, bringing total container throughput to 44% of overall traffic. Additionally, the Port handles over 75% of the country’s bulk and break-bulk cargo, underscoring its strategic importance to the national logistics and supply chain network.
The Port’s operational excellence has earned regional recognition, including:
- Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) Port of the Year Award for three consecutive years, 2000 to 2002, 2018 and 2024
- Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) Growth and Development Award for the year 2008.
- Caribbean Shipping Association’s Port Dependability and Flexibility Award for the second consecutive year (2016 and 2017)
PLIPDECO is firmly committed to health, safety and environmental stewardship. The Corporation maintains a proactive approach to risk management, operational safety and environmental protection, ensuring the well-being of employees, tenants and other stakeholders while meeting all regulatory requirements. Operations are guided by local legislation and internationally recognised standards.
Through its integrated operations and commitment to excellence, PLIPDECO continues to be a key driver of industrial development, trade facilitation and sustainable growth in Trinidad and Tobago.