Chilean terminal operator SAAM has announced that it is to take over management of the Trinipuerto dry bulk terminal at the Ecuadorian port of Guayaquil.This installation is adjacent to Terminal Portuario Guayaquil (TPG), which SAAM has operated since 2006. The new concession will be for 40 years.
Although SAAM’s existing facility mostly handles containers, the Trinipuerto installation will continue to handle dry bulk consignments, as well as acting as an overspill terminal for the port’s burgeoning container traffic.
“We are making an important investment of $60 million in 2016-2017, which includes expanding the berthing line by 120 metres to 480 metres and incorporating modern new handling equipment,” notes SAAM managing director Macario Valde´s, who says that current business is expected to triple in the next few years.
He says that the company is evaluating new business opportunities in the region.“We are also leveraging our assets to strengthen our leadership position,” he says, pointing out that the new investment will enable SAAM to consolidate the market it already has for imports and exports in the Port of Guayaquil and also expand this.
Trinipuerto, which is accessed via the Santa Ana channel, has 125 metres of berthing line, where alongside draught is 9.75 metres. It can accommodate vessels of up to 220 metres in LOA. The terminal itself covers an area of 58,146m2 and has 14 grain storage warehouses capable of accommodating up to 140,000 tonnes. Two further 25,000-tonne grain warehouses are planned.
In terms of handling equipment, it has seven hydraulic grabs, two mechanical grabs, ten mini-loaders, one bucket payloader, four bagging machines (able to bag up to 50 tonnes per hour), one fertilizer mixer, one dozer and four portable conveyor belts (able to transport up to 150 tonnes per hour).
Barry Cross