International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and PSA International (PSA) have formally opened Puerto Aguadulce, a joint venture terminal in the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia with His Excellency, Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia, leading the inaugural rites, the company said in its press release.
The first phase of the USD550 million world class multi-user container and bulk handling facility can handle mega container vessels with capacities of up to 18,000 TEUs, and is seen to further spur the Colombian economy. Puerto Aguadulce is operated by Sociedad Puerto Industrial de Aguadulce, the joint venture company of ICTSI and PSA.
President Santos was joined by Vice President Germán Vargas Lleras, Valle del Cauca Governor Dilian Francisca Toro, and Buenaventura Mayor Eliécer Arboleda. Other important guests include port sector and infrastructure leaders, Compas shareholders and executives, and host community leaders.
One of the leading port groups in the world, PSA brings to the table its complementary strengths and years of industry experience to ensure the success of the Aguadulce Port Project. ICTSI and PSA signed the agreement to jointly develop, construct and operate the terminal and its ancillary facilities back in September 2013.
The terminal had its soft opening late in November last year, servicing its first container vessel – the MSC Sasha with outstanding productivity levels.
Puerto Aguadulce features state of the art cargo handling equipment, leading edge operating systems and top-of-the-line facilities and infrastructure. Equipped with neo post-Panamax quay cranes and the latest in port technology, the terminal can service new generation container vessels with capacities of up to 18,000 TEUs.
Under its first phase development, the terminal has an annual handling capacity of 550,000 TEUs operating two container berths. The bulk terminal, on the other hand, will have a capacity of two million tons annually.
It is strategically 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.
About ICTSI
Headquartered and established in 1988 in Manila, Philippines, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is in the business of port development, management and operations. As an independent business with no shipping, logistics or consignee-related interests, ICTSI works and transacts transparently with any stakeholder in the port community. ICTSI’s portfolio of terminals and projects spans developed and emerging market economies in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. ICTSI has received global acclaim for its public-private partnerships with governments divesting of their port assets to the private sector.
About PSA
PSA International is one of the leading global port groups. PSA participates in port projects across Asia, Europe and the Americas with flagship operations in Singapore and Antwerp. Employing the finest talents in the industry, PSA delivers reliable and best-in-class service to its customers and develops win-win relationships with its partners. As the port operator of choice in the world´s gateway hubs, PSA is “The World´s Port of Call”. PSA International has been voted “Best Global Container Terminal Operating Company” for eight years at the Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards since 2005.