Port of Antwerp International (PAI), a subsidiary of the Antwerp Port Authority, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Companhia Docas do Espírito Santo (CODESA) in which the two parties declare their intention to collaborate as a strategic partner in the development of a new container deep see port in the Port of Vitória, Espírito Santo. In a first phase the collaboration will focus on consultancy; in subsequent phases a deeper involvement will be investigated in terms of investment, training and development of commercial relations. The new container port should be operational within 3-5 years. The MoU was signed by Mr. Angelo Baptista, CEO of CODESA, and by Mr. Marc Van Peel and Mr. Yannick Dufraimont, respectively chairman and CEO of PAI.
” The Brazilian government will invest heavily in port infrastructure in the coming years. The construction of a new port in Vitória which can receive large container ships is a priority. The Port of Antwerp is one of the largest and most important ports in the world and is recognized as a center of excellence in training, technology and port operations. In this context, the partnership between the Port of Antwerp and CODESA is very important to the success of this project ”, said Mr Angelo Baptista .
“ Brazil is one of the main strategic regions for PAI since we focus on regions with more than average economic growth in which there is big potential for improvements in logistics infrastructure and ports in specific. Moreover, Brazil is already a very important trade partner of the Port of Antwerp with a volume of 7.4 million tonnes in 2010; with our presence on the Brazilian market, in the state of Espírito Santo and the port of Vitória with its central location in the heart of Brazil, we should be able to double or even triple this volume ”, said Mr Yannick Dufraimont . Filip Herremans,
PAI Region Manager for Brazil confirms that the new project in the Port of Vitória has all the advantages a modern container port needs to become a success.
About Port of Antwerp
The Port of Antwerp is the gateway to Europe, handling 178.2 million tonnes of freight in 2010. Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe for international shipping freight. Port of Antwerp International NV is a subsidiary of the Antwerp Port Authority and was founded in June 2010 as the investment and consultancy arm of the Antwerp Port Authority with the mission to capitalize on the expertise of the Antwerp Port sector and to establish a global port network via specific investments and consultancy.
Besides Brazil, PAI is also considering opportunities in India, West Africa, the Middle-East and South East Asia.
About CODESA
The Port Complex of Espírito Santo comprises first class terminals for all nature of cargo. Espirito Santo, one of the most dynamic States in Brazil, has a privileged location next to the major urban centers, industrial cities and especially near the consumer market, where is concentrated Brazil’s GDP. Moreover, it has a privileged coast with calm and deep waters.
The Dock Company of Espirito Santo – CODESA, public organism under Federal Government control, has a combination of public and leased terminals. In 2010, the Port Complex of Espírito Santos handled more than 30 million tonnes of cargo (including private terminals).
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Source: portofantwerp, April 29, 2011;