New Terminal Opened in Colombia

International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) and PSA International (PSA) have formally opened Puerto Aguadulce, a joint venture terminal in the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia.

The first phase of the $550 million terminal has an annual handling capacity of 550,000 TEUs at two container berths with capacities for handling ships of up to 18,000 TEUs. A bulk terminal will have a capacity of two million tons annually. 

In an effort to provide efficient services for Colombian importers and exporters, the terminal also boasts optimized 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-kilometer (13-mile) road provides direct and uncongested access to the terminal.

Exports from Colombia such as coffee and sugar remain in high demand, and the companies say the terminal is ideally positioned to be a hub for international trade. It is located in the port city of Buenaventura, Colombia’s sole maritime trading gateway to the Pacific and the first port of call for southbound services to and from the West Coast of South America.

Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia said: “We are stimulating foreign trade with many countries to exploit the full potential we have. We have the vision to have a competitive country, to be a food pantry for the world, and this port will be a very important link.” 

Puerto Aguadulce is operated by Sociedad Puerto Industrial de Aguadulce, the joint venture company of ICTSI and PSA. The terminal had its soft opening late in November last year, servicing its first container vessel – the MSC Sasha.