International Container Terminal Services Inc. said its Columbian operation under Sociedad Puerto Industrial de Aguadulce (SPIA) has serviced the largest ship to dock in the country — the 14,436-TEU vessel MSC Faith.
SPIA handles the cargo operations the Port of Buenaventura.
The 366 meters MSC Faith made its maiden call in South America at Puerto Aguadulce, as part of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) weekly service between Asia and Latin America’s west coast.
“With privileged access to the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Colombian economy — comprised of the cities of Bogota, Medellin, and Cali — SPIA is fully-equipped to handle the largest vessels plying Latin America today using the largest port handling equipment in Colombia, and a deep berth,” ICTSI said.
“SPIA, a container and bulk handling facility jointly developed by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and PSA International Pte. Ltd. of Singapore, can handle mega boxships with capacities of up to 18,000 TEUs,” it added.
Built in Korea in 2019, MSC Faith is one of the most modern and energy-efficient 14K+ TEU vessels added to MSC’s green fleet in 2019.
Designed with environment and efficiency in mind — the latest generation MSC vessels are powered by Tier III diesel engines for its main propulsion and auxiliary power, and are 75 percent cleaner than the Tier II standard set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
MSC Faith’s maiden call likewise coincides in time for SPIA’s third anniversary, and marks the strong relationship between Puerto Aguadulce and MSC.
Miguel Abisambra, Puerto Aguadulce general manager said Puerto Aguadulce is very well-positioned to receive MSC Faith-types of vessels.
“With its quay structure, its depth of 16.5 meters, its latest generation equipment and its strategic location, is very well-positioned to receive these types of vessels. Thanks to our well-trained workforce and our high-level quality and service standards, the operations on this record vessel have been concluded successfully,” he said
“The arrival of the vessel with the biggest capacity ever in a Colombian port confirms that Puerto Aguadulce is a terminal with global service standards, thanks to the efforts we have put into the fields of technology, infrastructure and security. Puerto Aguadulce is a terminal at the forefront, offering quality services with the highest competitiveness in the region,” he added.
Puerto Aguadulce is a latest generation container terminal to be operated by ICTSI. It began operations in November 2016.
Its two major shareholders are two of the world’s leading port operators: International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) of the Philippines and PSA International Pte. Ltd. of Singapore.
