The port is located in the estuary formed by the Odiel and Río Tinto rivers.

[citation needed] The Outer Port, with six wharves, is located to the south of the River Tinto.

[citation needed] Rich in metals, the Huelva region was known to be an exporter of silver already in Antiquity in the context of the "Tartessos" culture.

[citation needed] The East Wharf replaced constructed harbour facilities of inferior quality between 1900 and 1910.

[citation needed] In the 1960s much of the activity was moved to the Puerto Exterior, located in Palos de la Frontera, more apt for ships with greater draft:[7] as it was passed the project for a mineral loading dock and an oil dock in Torre Arenilla in 1963, the Levante dock (in the Puerto Interior) was mostly left for fishing,[8] specializing in the commercialization of frozen fish.