Puerto Bahia Multi-Modal Terminal Up and Running

Colombia-based port developer and operator Pacific Infrastructure Ventures Inc. (Pacinfra) has put into action its USD 600 million Puerto Bahía port facilities in Cartagena, Colombia, with the port’s multi-modal terminal officially commencing liquid and general bulk transport operations on August 28. 

The port consists of two terminals: a hydrocarbon terminal and a dry cargo terminal.

The hydrocarbon terminal has an initial storage capacity of 2.4 million barrels, in eight storage tanks for both naphtha and crude oil and has the capacity to load Suezmax tankers (up to a one million barrels capacity). In addition, it has a truck loading/unloading station and a barge terminal offering complete flexibility in hydrocarbon transportation logistics.

The bulk loading terminal has a 300-meter-long dock and can handle post-Panamax ships. It has an area of 12 hectares available for storage with room for future expansion. The port is accessed by sea, river, and land in the Bay of Cartagena, on the north side of Barú Island and has a natural draft of 20 meters.

Ronald Pantin, CEO at Canada’s Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., a major shareholder at Pacinfra, said: “The official opening of the port is the fulfillment of our strategy to promote infrastructure projects that are complementary to our exploration and production investments. Puerto Bahia adds flexibility to our operations and supports our belief that the right infrastructure project begets progress for the entire country. The port offers an alternative oil export point for Colombian producers as well as providing import/export and storage capabilities in close proximity to the new Reficar refinery.”

Puerto Bahía is an initiative of Pacific and the International Financial Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of The World Bank.