THREE BID FOR EL SALVADOR BOX TERMINAL PROJECT

International operator Hutchison Port Holdings, already with port interests in Mexico, is one party known to be looking at new port development together with various logistics operators in order to establish “cargo pipelines” into the US.

This will require investment of $170m of which Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC) will finance $107m. A concession will be awarded next year. Preparatory dredging work is due to go ahead soon in La Union Bay, which will eventually have cruise, multipurpose and container terminals. The aim is to develop the port as a container hub to serve Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The Bay itself is located in the Gulf of Fonseca in eastern El Salvador, being linked to the capital San Salvador by a 252 kilometre long railway and a 185km long road.