KN TO BUILD OUT MONTEVIDEO

Katoen Natie (KN) has confi rmed it has reached an agreement with the Government of Uruguay for additional investment at the Port of Montevideo.

A total of US$455 million is to be spent upgrading the Terminal Cuenca del Plata (TCP) by constructing a second 22ha terminal yard to support a new 700m quay wall, taking ship berthing space up to 1300m, with a dredged depth of 14m available.

In terms of equipment, there are plans for between 12 and 15 new ship-to-shore gantry cranes and 50 straddle carriers (and / or rubber-tyred gantry cranes). Once completed, KN expects the revamped facility to be able to handle 2.5 million TEU per annum and simultaneously serve four container ships. It also represents the maximum expansion of the concession area for KN.

Vincent Vandecauter, CEO, TCP, explains the rationale for the project: “Terminal Cuenca del Plata is already the most efficient container terminal in South America, but with this new investment we are now positioning the terminal as an indispensable link in the list of the most important hub ports in the continent, and, at the same time, making the terminal more attractive for Uruguayan exporters,” he confirmed. 

KN has been working in Montevideo since 2001 and retains an 80 per cent share of the concession. It has invested US$250 million to date, including developing the 10ha Polo Oeste logistics park in collaboration with local partner, Frigorífico Modelo SA, in 2012.