Prospective lessees ask for further investments in Fortaleza Port terminal

Representatives of prospective lessees for the container terminal at the Port of Fortaleza (CE), specifically the MUC04 area, have called for reexamining planned investments in the project. This request was made during a public hearing convened by the National Waterborne Transport Agency (ANTAQ) on Wednesday, May 15. Public Hearing 5/2024 is open for receiving inputs until May 19 via the agency’s website.

Concerns voiced during the meeting emphasized the need for investments to enhance land access for cargo transportation. It’s projected that cargo volume could reach 357 thousand TEUs per year over the 25-year concession period. The estimated investment of approximately R$240 million is deemed inadequate to meet operational requirements.

One key concern raised relates to the compatibility of increased truck traffic with the city’s existing traffic flow. Lawyer Rafael Schwind emphasized the project’s need to comply with local legislation governing neighborhood impact studies. Additionally, any new concessionaire must ensure the functionality of the ISPS Code system, an international standard for ship and port facility safety.

There’s also a call for a dedicated berth for container ships, as noted by Fernando Fialho from Modal Consult. The proposal suggests that the two berths, situated adjacent to the 125 thousand square meter storage area, should be shared with other cargo and the port’s passenger terminal. However, Eduardo Jerônimo from Garin Partners expressed concerns about potential disruptions to container operations.

Marcelo Nunes, representing Infra S.A., the state-owned company overseeing the studies, addressed these concerns by stating that sharing arrangements were taken into consideration. Proposed solutions include the acquisition of mobile equipment capable of servicing multiple berths. Nunes emphasized that, based on the projected demand, there would be compatibility for alternate uses.

Lúcio Ferreira Gomes, President of Companhia Docas do Ceará (CDC), assured that the port is committed to making the necessary investments to improve land access. Furthermore, an accreditation process is being developed for areas within a 26-kilometer radius of the port to manage truck access, ensuring appointments are required for entry into the port area.

Source: Agencia Infra

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