ICTSI prepares launch of Colombia terminal

MANILA, Philippines - Sociedad Puerto Industrial de Aguadulce S.A. (SPIA), a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has acquired a new equipment in preparation for the launch of the operations of the Aguadulce Multi-User Container Terminal (AMCT) at the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia next year.

In a statement yesterday, ICTSI said it recently received four super post Panamax quay cranes (QC) and five rubber-tired gantries (RTG) as part of the final stage of preparation for the operational launch of the AMCT.

The quay cranes which have an individual lifting capacity of 60 tons, and feature twin lift spreaders, are capable of serving 18,000-TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) Triple E class vessels.

 The RTGs meanwhile, feature single spreader lifts and a 41-ton capacity.

The acquisition forms part of ICTSI’s $545 million total investment in the Port of Buenaventura.

The AMCT’s development is divided into three phases. 

The first phase, involves the development of a 600-meter berth length with a 14.5-meter controlling depth, an 11-hectare container yard, a 250-meter coal bulk dock, conveyor belt-equipped silos and a 21-kilometer access road leading to the terminal.

It likewise covers the construction of warehouses and inspection areas, as well as the deployment of automation and other state-of-the-art port technologies.

The first phase is slated for completion by April next year and is seen to yield an annual capacity of around 600,000 TEUs.