Panama Steps Closer to Port of Corozals Container Port

Panama Canal The Panama Canal has published tender documents for the design, construction, development and operation of a container port in the area of West Corozal on the east Pacific entrance to the waterway. The four pre-qualified port operators, namely the Dutch APM Terminals, France’s Terminal Link, Singapore-based PSA International, and the Netherlands’ Terminal Investment Limited, now have until February 3, 2017 to submit their financial proposals to compete for the 20-year concession. The development of the container port is part of Panama Canals strategy of business diversification in order to maintain competitiveness. To be developed in two phases and under the “green port” model, the terminal will be built within a 120-hectare area that is currently owned by the Panama Canal. The project’s first phase will include 1,350 linear meters of quays, a container yard, superstructures, and three docking positions for simultaneous calls by Neo Panamax ships, and an approximate handling capacity of three million TEUs annually. The second phase will include 731 linear meters of quays, with an additional capacity to operate and manage two additional Neo Panamax ships and approximate handling capacity of two million TEUs annually. World Maritime News Staff