Ecuador’s first deep sea terminal YILPORT Puerto Bolívar orders 6 new STS and 18 E-RTG cranes
As part of its modernization and expansion project, YILPORT Puerto Bolívar has ordered 6 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 18 electrified rubber-tired gantry (E-RTG) cranes from Mitsui E&S Machinery Co. to boost capabilities of the terminal and meet customer expectations by YILPORT Holding’s global standards.
The cranes will be delivered in three shipments to support increasing volumes and modernization plans of YILPORT Puerto Bolívar. In the first phase, 2 STS cranes and 6 RTG cranes are expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2019. The second and third deliveries to include 4 STS and 12 RTG cranes will be shipped in the first half of 2020. The first 2 STS cranes will have 62 meters 22 rows out-reach capacity, designed to serve 14,000 TEU vessels. Remaining 4 STS cranes will have 67 meters 24 rows out-reach capacity, which will allow them to serve the largest containerships up to 20,000 TEUs. E-RTG cranes will be 1 over 6 high and 7+1 wide to handle the yard operations. All 18 E-RTG cranes will be fitted with state-of-the-art technologies and equipment.
In addition to the arrival of 2 state-of-the-art mobile harbor cranes (MHC) on 21 May 2017, the new STS and E-RTG cranes will enhance YILPORT Puerto Bolívar’s equipment portfolio. The company’s investment is not only limited to STS and RTG. MHC, terminal tractor, reach stacker, and empty handlers are also on the way to expand existing equipment capacity of YILPORT Puerto Bolívar, the first deep-sea terminal of Ecuador.
The first phase of dredging works ended on 31 May 2018, and the terminal reached -14.5 meters of the draft. This is an operational depth capable of generating an important change for cargo handling in the southern part of Ecuador. Current draft allows YILPORT Puerto Bolívar to handle large vessels of the world. Latest STS and RTG equipment will enable the port to operate +22,000 TEU ultra-large container vessels.
The second dredging phase will be completed before the delivery of new crane equipment and the terminal will reach -17 meters of draft below both berth and channel. The investments aim to elevate YILPORT Puerto Bolívar among the leading terminals prepared and equipped to handle ultra-large ships in West Coast of the Latin American region.
YILPORT Holding, a subsidiary of Yildirim Group of Companies is the fastest growing international container terminal operator in the world and is currently ranked 12th among international container terminal operators by 2018 Drewry Report. The company portfolio consists of 20 marine terminals in 8 countries. YILPORT Holding secured the rights to Puerto Bolívar in Machala City, Ecuador in August 2016. The 50-year concession deal aiming to turn Puerto Bolívar into the largest and the most advanced state-of-the-art terminal on the Pacific Coast of Latin America also marks the largest Turkish investment in Ecuador and Latin Amerika. At the end of Phase 1 expansion, YILPORT Puerto Bolívar will be able to have 1 million TEU capacity. YILPORT plans to have 5 phases to increase the capacity of Puerto Bolívar to 2.5 million TEU as per demand continue to increase. In line with the committed expansion and modernization process, YILPORT Puerto Bolívar keeps investing and building infrastructure in the terminal to enhance the terminal’s role in the region.