Executives from APM Terminals Callao and the Minister of Transport and Communications of Peru, Mr. Carlos Paredes were on hand to start the demolition of Patio Guadalupe – an old, abandoned train station to pave the way for a port modernization project vital to Peru’s economic growth.
In the words of Minister Carlos Paredes : “ In macro terms, this work will improve competitiveness for all activities of Peru and to generate more jobs and more investment and, therefore, social inclusion, which is the goal we are pursuing with this government .”
Patio Guadalupe is an old train station located adjacent to the port with historic structures that will be removed and relocated in Callao. The facility has been abandoned for several years and is now being turned into an extension of the APM Terminals Callao facility to create Peru’s newest gateway for world markets.
The train station demolition and port construction project will create 600 new jobs in the community over the next two years.
Henrik Kristensen, APM Terminals Managing Director , stated “ APM Terminals Callao is bringing the latest generation of STS cranes and eco-friendly electric RTG cranes to this phase. Investing in 4 Super Post Panamax cranes with 23 container reach and 12 Electric RTG cranes is a clear commitment to develop Callao as a strategic, regional hub to generate more business for the country through a world-class, eco-friendly port. APM Terminals assumed operational control of Callao’s North Terminal in July 2011, handling 436,117 TEUs in the first year of operations. The company invested USD 35 million in the first 12 months as part of its USD 749 million investment to update and expand the existing facility into a modern multi-purpose terminal serving general, Ro-Ro, break bulk, containerized cargoes and cruise ships. Future planned improvements by APM Terminals include the purchase and installation of 12 new post-Panamax STS cranes and 36 new RTGs. Further investment will be done to accommodate the growing general cargo and grain business.”
Located on the West Coast of South America, Peru is the 20th-largest nation in the world in area with a population of 29.5 million. The Peruvian economy grew by 6.2% in 2011, for a GDP of $168 billion USD. It is the 5th-largest economy in South America, and has been projected by the IMF to expand by 5.5% in 2012. Peru’s largest trading partners are the U.S. and China. A 30-minute drive from the Capital of Lima, the port of Callao handles 90% of Peru’s containerized cargo, including most fresh produce and citrus exports. Peru’s ports handled 1.78 million TEUs in 2011, representing a 16% gain over 2010.
Earlier in August, APM Terminals Callao signed a sustainability agreement with the Artisan Fishing Community to invest USD 3 million to modernize their fishing terminal and improve working and safety conditions. By relocating the marina and its 400 fishing vessels to a safer, more secure part of the harbor, the Pier 5 modernization project can start. The company commitment consisted of modernizing the fishing dock, installing new lifting equipment, weighing scales, freshwater tanks, sewage pumps, sanitary facilities, canteen and renovation of the administrative building; anchoring buoys and pontoons.
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Press Release, October 4, 2012