High technology and infrastructure will enable the region to receive the largest vessels in the world, the Ultra Large Containerships (ULC)
SAO PAULO, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Data from Brazil's Secretariat of Foreign Trade indicate that in the first four months of 2011, bilateral trade between Brazil and China totaled US$ 20.4 billion, a 45% increase in relation to the same period in the previous year. The projections indicate that exports should reach nearly US$ 37 billion by the end of this year, US$ 6.2 billion more than 2010. To handle the flow of incoming and outgoing products and inputs coming from or going to China, a new logistical alternative has emerged: the Port of Imbituba, in Santa Catarina, whose location on the coast provides access for the industrial poles of Rio Grande do Sul and as well as to the countries of Mercosul.
This month, the terminal for handling containers, managed by the company Santos Brasil, received two modern cranes manufactured by ZPMC. The equipment, referred to as "Portainers," is able to service the largest vessels in the world, the Ultra Large Containerships (ULC), and simultaneously handle two 20-foot containers or one 40-foot container (standard measuring unit). The capacity is 65 tons for containers and 80 tons for handling special freight. The equipment has a range of 57 meters, and can reach as far as the 21st row of containers on large vessels.
Since it won the concession for handling container traffic in the Port of Imbituba through a public bidding process three years ago, Santos Brasil has been expanding and preparing the terminal with high technology and infrastructure to receive lines from Asia, Europe and the Americas. Total investments of nearly R$ 440 million are projected. This amount includes the leasing of the terminal (a 25-year contract with a provision for renewal for an additional 25 years), civil engineering for the construction of two berths, purchase of equipment such as the recently acquired cranes, among other things, and training of the local labor force.
The Port of Imbituba is also going through a period of investment by the Federal Government. For this year, dredging is scheduled to increase the draft from 11 to 15 meters, as well as duplication of the access route. In addition, the construction of the railroad Ferrovia Litoranea is planned, which will connect the northern part of Santa Catarina state with the Port of Imbituba, and the railroad Ferrovia Tereza Cristina, which will come to have access to the national rail network through this connection.
The investments combined with the natural characteristics of this ocean port, free of physical constraints or restrictions due to bad weather, make Imbituba a differentiated terminal, ready to provide greater competitiveness for all of its users.
For more information:
Press office:
Elaine Silva
Phone: (11) 3093-3610 / 7380-6081
elaine.silva@tree.inf.br
Thaysa Greco
Phone: (11) 3093-3602 / 7819-6841
thaysa.greco@tree.inf.br
