en.Wedoany.com Reported - After a decade of operations at the Port of Buenaventura, Colombia's Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce is planning to expand its yard and introduce new equipment to enhance container handling capacity.

In an interview with El País, the port's General Manager, Álvaro Otero, stated that the project began preparation in the 1990s, went through environmental licensing, prior consultation, and infrastructure construction, and officially commenced operations in 2016. The terminal is located on the Aguadulce Peninsula, outside the urban area of Buenaventura, using access routes independent of the island's cargo channels, and has incorporated international port-applied technology and security systems from the outset.

Buenaventura is Colombia's only Pacific port, connecting to Asian markets and playing a crucial role in the country's foreign trade. Otero noted that import volumes have grown by 30% in recent years, with Aguadulce's container throughput reaching 700,000 TEUs in 2025. The terminal has accommodated vessels with capacities of 16,000 to 17,000 TEUs, as well as a ship measuring 400 meters in length. Furthermore, the newly arrived quay crane is considered one of the tallest pieces of equipment in South America, but the larger vessels capable of using this crane cannot yet access Buenaventura.

Otero believes that channel dredging and road infrastructure expansion remain the primary challenges. Approximately 50% of Colombia's imports enter through Buenaventura, but land transport capacity needs further improvement to support cargo flow. He also mentioned limitations in water supply, electricity, and security, pointing out the difficulties of investing in Buenaventura and the need to improve conditions to attract more logistics and industrial investment. Aguadulce is advancing its yard expansion project and plans to add new yard cranes before the end of this year.

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