Puerto de San Antonio Este, Deep-water port in San Antonio Este, Argentina

Puerto de San Antonio Este is a deep-water port on the northern shore of the Villarino Peninsula, facing the Gulf San Matías in Argentina's Río Negro Province. It has cargo terminals, cold storage facilities, and open docking areas where freight vessels come and go regularly.

The port opened in 1983 and quickly became the main export outlet for fruit and other goods from the Río Negro Valley. Over time, fishing and additional freight activities expanded its role along the Patagonian coast.

The port is run under a 30-year concession granted in January 1998 to Terminal de Servicios Portuarios Patagonia Norte S.A., a consortium of 24 companies from the fruit, vegetable and mining sectors, including Minera MCC of Sierra Grande. The town of San Antonio Este sits on the port itself, and the provincial government of Río Negro owns the facility.

The port is an active work site with heavy vehicle traffic, so access for visitors is limited to certain areas. A visit pairs well with a stop in the nearby town of San Antonio Este, which sits just a short distance away.

The natural depth of the Gulf San Matías allows large freight vessels to dock directly at the wharves without the need for regular dredging. Along the Patagonian coast, where shallow waters are common, this is a rare natural advantage that has shaped the port's growth since its early years.