Prolonged rainfall Causes 20-days delay in shipments at Port of Cotegipe

The port of Cotegipe in Salvador (BA) has experienced significant disruptions in operations due to unusually high rainfall since May. As a result, the port has already incurred a loss of 22 to 23 operating days. This weather anomaly has halted shipments at the terminal, which is responsible for transporting approximately 90% of the grain production in the state.

Jorge Humberto Pessôa Lopes, the director of operations, expressed his disappointment during an event at the Bahia Farm Show in Luís Eduardo Magalhães (BA) on Thursday (6/8), stating that rain is their biggest challenge and one of the driving factors behind the expansion plans.

Fortunately, the expansion of the port, which was approved by the Federal Government last year, is expected to be completed in the coming months. This expansion will increase the shipping capacity from 7 million to 11 million tons, mitigating problems encountered during the 2022/23 harvest.

The expansion project encompasses the construction of a new 378-meter berth with a draft of 13.85 meters, capable of accommodating Panamax-type ships with a cargo capacity of up to 75,000 tons. Additionally, two new warehouses with a total capacity of 270,000 tons will be built.

Jorge Humberto Pessôa Lopes provided further details, stating, “We anticipate that in August we will be able to commence operations with the first ship, as equipment testing is scheduled to begin in July.” The expansion is expected to support the growth of grain production in Bahia over the next decade.

He further explained, “We anticipate modest growth, but Bahia has pleasantly surprised us. I believe that in the next ten years, we will be able to serve the region effectively. This is why the company is already contemplating expanding the terminal to construct a fourth berth to accommodate the future growth in corn, sorghum, and other cereals in Bahia.”

The port of Cotegipe, a privately owned terminal established in 2004 by M Dias Branco, has undergone several expansions since its inception. In addition to exporting grains from Bahia, it imports wheat for the milling complex on-site to meet the demands of M Dias Branco and other regional companies, with a monthly processing capacity of 45,000 tons and total storage of 80,000 tons.

Source: Globo Rural

To read the original news report, see: https://globorural.globo.com/especiais/caminhos-da-safra/noticia/2023/06/chuvas-j-atrasaram-em-mais-de-20-dias-embarques-no-porto-de-cotegipe.ghtml

Sharing is caring!