SOUTH AMERICA

Uruguay concedes need for improved port infrastructure

12 years ago

Both the government of Uruguay and the countrys port operators agree that there are infrastructure deficiencies in ports as a result of an expansion of demand. The private sector is therefore demanding that work goes ahead on various projects to stop operating costs from increasing.

Alberto Díaz, the president of the National Ports Authority (ANP) acknowledges that there have been “certain delays” in implementing infrastructure upgrades and that work is to go-ahead to improve the situation. He points out that the “C” quay development in the port of Punta de Sayago (Montevideo) will offer draft of 14m once dredged and that, in future, ports in Uruguay will have to think in terms of a minimum of 12m of draft in place of the minimum 10m currently in place.

Once “C” quay enters service at the end of the year, capacity at Montevideo port will increase by 15%. In addition, he stressed the need for increased productivity, which he says is a cheaper way to boost capacity.