The port of Argos is ready to start operating in the free zone of Cartagena, after the expansion works in the port terminal. They were granted by the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) and will allow expanding the reception and export capacity of cement, clinker and other raw materials: up to 3.5 million tons per year can be moved through the port.
(See: Non-traditional sectors that have gained prominence in exports).
The interventions carried out are highlighted by a new dock, a platform with its respective loading system, a dust collection system, a cleaning and maintenance system, electrical and control systems, and mooring systems, in accordance with the construction plan. contractual investments, amounting to 31 million dollars.
“This port company, one of the 30 in charge of the ANI in the port area of Cartagena, is part of the entire logistics chain that allowed, in 2021, to export 945,790 tons of cement and clinker to the United States and other destinations in the Caribbean and Central America. By strengthening its infrastructure, we also encourage this production chain, generating more jobs and greater capacity for the country.”, highlights the Minister (e) of Transport, Camilo Pabón.
(See: Where are Colombia’s exports going?).
On the other hand, the president of the ANI, Manuel Felipe Gutiérrez, participated in the completion event of these works, in which he highlighted as one of the main advantages that, “When this new dock comes into operation, it will be possible to carry out two loading operations simultaneously and with deep-draft ships, allowing the docking of vessels with a draft of up to 42 feet and load capacities of up to 60,000 tons.”.
The Vice President of Contractual Management of the ANI, Juan Francisco Arboleda, complements this information by stating that it also has “with a new infrastructure of high-tech hermetic conveyor belts that will move export materials directly from the storage silos of the Argos cement plant to the ship, which will reduce the movement of loaded trucks and, therefore, reduce atmospheric emissions”.
(See: Cementos Argos will triple export capacity from Cartagena).
Arboleda also highlights the new dust collection system, that will allow the control of the particulate material generated in the processes of transporting the products from the production center to the shipping site.
The new dock has a access platform of 152 by 18 meters and a walkway of approximately 179 by 4 meters.
During the construction of these works, around 1,200 jobs and, as confirmed by Sandra Velasco, leader of Community Relations at the Port of Argos, in the last three years, nearly 1,500 families in the area have benefited from the social programs promoted thanks to the port.
(See: Cementos Argos revenues amount to $7.3 billion in 2021).
The new wharf, which is complementary to the existing port facility, will start operating in the first quarter of 2022 and it is estimated that it will move up to 1,200 tons per hour from the silos of the Argos cement plant in Cartagena until the material is loaded on the ship.
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