This study analyzes the factors affecting the configuration and consolidation of green ports in Colombia. For this purpose a case stady of maritime cargo ports of Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta is performed addressing semiestructured interviews to identify the factors contributing to the consolidation of green ports and the factors guiding the sustainability management in the ports that have not yet been certified as green ports. The results show that environmental regulations are atarting point not the key factor to consolidate asgreen ports. As a conclusions, the conversion of Colombian to green ports should not be limited to the attaiment of certifications, such as Ecoport certification, but should ensure the contribution to sustainable development through economic, social and environmental dimensions and the achievement of the SDGs