YILPORT Puerto Bolívar, Ecuador’s first deep-sea container terminal, has continued its modernization and expansion project by ordering six ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 18 electrified rubber-tired gantry (E-RTG) cranes.
With three shipments scheduled to be delivered by the first half of 2020, the new cranes from Mitsui E&S Machinery Co. are expected to support increasing volumes at the terminal, enabling YILPORT to meet customer expectations.
Four of the STS cranes are designed to serve 20,000 TEU vessels, improving Puerto Bolívar’s ability to accommodate mega ships, while the E-RTG cranes will be used to handle yard operations at the terminal.
In addition to this, terminal tractors, reach stackers and empty handlers are on the way to expand the terminal’s existing equipment capacity.
Read more about Yilport's investment ambitions with a Port Technology technical paper
Before the new equipment can be delivered, a second phase of dredging must be completed to deepen the terminal 17 metres below berth and channel.
The aim of the project is to elevate YILPORT Puerto Bolívar among the leading terminals prepared and equipped to handle ultra-large ships in the Latin American region.
According to a statement, terminal operator YILPORT has planned five phases of expansion to increase the capacity of Puerto Bolívar to 2.5 million TEU per year.
In line with the expansion and modernization process, YILPORT Puerto Bolívar keeps investing in new infrastructure, enhancing the terminal’s role in the region.
Robert Yuksel Yildirim, Chairman of YILPORT Holding, said: “YILPORT Holding aims to create world-class, multipurpose facilities on an international scale. When we acquired YILPORT Puerto Bolívar, we committed to bringing state-of-the-art technology, infrastructure, and equipment to Ecuador.
“Development is a never-ending job for us, so we are more than happy to empower our terminal with the world’s most advanced crane equipment from Mitsui.
“I believe YILPORT Puerto Bolívar will continue delivering superior performance after the completion of new STS and E-RTG crane investments.”
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