“This equipment places Colombia at the highest international standards and reflects our operational capabilities to offer efficient and safe services,” Puerto Antioquia said in a statement.

With an investment exceeding $770 million, this port not only represents a modernization of the region's logistics infrastructure but also an economic boost for Urabá. It is projected to generate 17,000 new jobs and attract 800 companies, in addition to annual investments of over $20 million.

A port that will change the dynamics of trade

Puerto Antioquia will feature a 1,340-meter-long pier with a 16.5-meter draft, designed to accommodate Post-Panamax vessels with a capacity of up to 14,000 containers. In addition, a 4.2-kilometer viaduct will connect the port to a 38-hectare central facility where refrigerated containers, vehicles, and solid bulk cargo will be handled.

The region's logistical capacity will take a significant leap: Urabá, which currently handles 2 million tons annually, expects to increase this figure to 7 million tons. This will optimize maritime traffic in the Gulf, reducing the number of ships needed for operations and improving product quality, especially for bananas, which will arrive fresher in international markets.

International potential and pending challenges

The National Association of Foreign Trade (Analdex) has indicated that Puerto Antioquia will be key to strengthening trade relations with Europe, the Caribbean, and the west coast of the United States, opening new opportunities for the national production sector. However, the project still faces administrative challenges, such as the completion of its transmission line, whose environmental license remains suspended.

With these innovations and challenges, Puerto Antioquia is emerging as a catalyst for development in Urabá and a key driver for maritime trade in Colombia.

Source: elcolombiano.com