The port of Cartagena, on the coast of Colombia, has become the largest transhipment terminal in the Caribbean, as it handled over 3 million teu in 2020. The port reported an increased cargo volume of 6.5% in 2020 and surpassing the 3 million teu barrier to handle 3.13 million teu.
Cartagena commercial director Giovanni Benedetti told Seatrade Maritime News: “It was the first time that we pass the mark of 3 million teu. Last year, the terminal positioned itself as an important transhipment hub for the Caribbean area moving 2.3 million teu, growing 7.7% in transhipment volume.”
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Although figures show growth in volume, revenues fell slightly “because imports that decreased 9.5%, is financially more important for us as it brings storage fees,” he told seatrade-maritime.com.
Exports grew by 4.4% boosted by a rise in dried and reefer products, the latter increasing by 56.6%. Cartagena added 800 plugs to a total of 4,000 plugs making the Colombian port the largest reefer terminal in the Americas. Avocados to Europe and the Mediterranean, and bananas are the main agricultural products. Some 60 boxes of bananas a week were exported to Korea in 2020.
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