According to the statistical bulletin of Ports and Transport Superintendence of Colombia, the ports of this South American country registered a 2.2% growth in comparison with 2015, handling 201.8 million tons in 2016.
The busiest port zone was Ciénaga (Magdalena) with 53 million tons mobilized which represent an increase of 19% compared to the previous year.
Similarly, a growth of traffic in the port zones of Santa Marta, Cartagena, Tumaco, Barrancabermeja and San Andrés were reported.
Cartagena is the second busiest, with 18.3% of participation, equivalent to 36.5 million tons and a growth of 6.6% compared to the previous year. The third place is for Golfo de Morrosquillo with 17.8%.
The international cargo traffic experienced a fall of 14.4% in 2016, due to the decrease in Cartagena and Contecar volumes.
The import/ export sectors reported an increase of 11.7% and 0.9% respectively. The imports were mainly mobilized through Cartagena and Santa Marta (Corn, chemicals, soy and petroleum derivatives).
The most of the traffic is bulk coal, with 43.3% of the total cargo. Next, liquid bulk cargo (main petroleum) with a participation of 28.7%.
The containerized cargo represent the 16.5% of the total traffic, with 33.2 million tons mostly mobilized by Cartagena and Buenaventura.
According to the website MundoMaritimo, the Colombian government has developed a plan to improve the access to the ports of Cartagena and Buenaventura. First, the construction of an alternate waterway in Cartagena bay; and second, the channel deepening of Buenaventura port.
The country’s authorities say that, so far, more than $3,000 million have been invested in the modernization of the Colombian ports.
Sources:
http://mundomaritimo.cl/noticias/colombia-desarrolla-plan-para-mejorar-acceso-a-puertos-estrategicos
.jpg)
