ICTSI-PSA joint venture US$500m Colombian terminal begins operations
THE joint venture terminal between International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and PSA International on the Pacific coast of Colombia, the Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce (SPIA), has officially started operations with the handling of its first vessel, MSC Sacha, on November 27.
The US$500 million SPIA 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-metre quay, a draught of 14.5 metres and is equipped with four super post-panamax cranes. Additionally, it will operate a bulk terminal with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per year, Port Technology reported.
The terminal is aiming to set new standards in cargo security and productivity by utilising state-of-the-art equipment, operating systems and high quality facilities.
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.
THE joint venture terminal between International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and PSA International on the Pacific coast of Colombia, the Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce (SPIA), has officially started operations with the handling of its first vessel, MSC Sacha, on November 27.
The US$500 million SPIA 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-metre quay, a draught of 14.5 metres and is equipped with four super post-panamax cranes. Additionally, it will operate a bulk terminal with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per year, Port Technology reported.
The terminal is aiming to set new standards in cargo security and productivity by utilising state-of-the-art equipment, operating systems and high quality facilities.
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.