A joint venture between International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and PSA International on the Pacific coast of Colombia has officially commenced operations with the handling of its first vessel, MSC Sacha, on November 27. The terminal is named the Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce (SPIA).
The $500m-Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce is designed and built to assist mega container vessels with bulk of up to 18,000 TEU. In this initial phase of development, the new Colombian terminal will be able to handle an annual capacity of 550,000 TEU. The new terminal has a 13 hectare container yard with a 600 m quay and draught of 14.5 m and is equipped with four super post-panamax cranes. Additionally, it will operate a bulk terminal with a capacity of 2m tonnes per year.
Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce is aiming to set new standards in cargo security and productivity by utilising state-of-the-art equipment, operating systems and high quality facilities.
In an effort to provide efficient services for Colombian importers and exporters, the terminal also boasts optimised processes in cargo operations. Facilities and dedicated warehouses have been designed to receive and process various types of cargo, including sugar and coffee. A purpose-built 21-km road will also provide direct and accessible route to the terminal.
Miguel Abisambra, CEO of SPIA, said: “The commencement of operations at Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce marks a crucial milestone in Colombia’s port infrastructure and is the result of a successful collaboration between foreign port partners and local stakeholders.”
Construction on the terminal is projected to be completed by the first quarter of 2017.
PTI recently covered Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce’s (SPIA) acquisition of the four super-post panamax cranes in further detail.
