International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said its ports in Mexico and Colombia under Contecon Manzanillo S.A. (CMSA) and Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce (SPIA), respectively, now service CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt , marking a milestone in its Latin American operations.
ICTSI in a statement said the 396-meter-long vessel is the first of its size to operate a regular service in Latin America.
“Its arrival underscores the capabilities of CMSA and SPIA to efficiently handle larger vessels and stimulate economies of scale,” ICTSI said.
CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt operates the Asia Central South America 1 (ACSA1) service, which connects Asia and Latin America.
“With the historic arrival of the CMA CGM Alexander Von Humboldt, Mexico is at the gates of a new era in maritime transport, increasingly larger ships that enhance economies of scale and cost optimization. We have prepared for this moment in recent years, designing and sizing our terminal to be able to serve these ships. It is our obligation to ensure that Mexican foreign trade has competitive and efficient maritime logistics,” said Jose Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer.
“As a strategic partner in the history of growth in Mexico, Contecon Manzanillo recognized the importance of its role as an engine of economic progress,” he added.
ICTSI said the vessel’s arrival in SPIA also reaffirms its position as the preferred terminal in the Colombian Pacific.
“SPIA’s capacity and the confidence of shipping lines in its infrastructure and service, has made the terminal the primary destination for the most important ships that arrive in Colombia,” it said.
“The arrival of this vessel represents an important step forward for SPIA in Buenaventura, Colombia, and in general, for Latin America. It demonstrates that SPIA has the experience, talent and optimal conditions that allow it to adapt to new port and maritime dynamics of the world, making our terminal visible for the arrival of future larger vessels,” added ílvaro Otero, SPIA general manager.
ICTSI operates 32 terminals worldwide, eight of which are in the Americas region.
