Peru: Port of Pisco begins export of ag products in containers

The concessionaire of the Port of Pisco, Terminal Port Paracas SA, began operations at the port on A…

The concessionaire of the Port of Pisco, Terminal Port Paracas SA, began operations at the port on August 22, 2014. A year later, it began a regular fortnightly operation exporting containers of white onion from the region of Ica via the MOL shipping line.

"We plan to export more than 2,000 containers in 2015," said Sergio Nichele, manager of Corporate Development of the concessionaire.

On October 24, another ship from the same company started working the same export operations so there will be weekly shipments coming out of the port.

In the coming weeks, the port will continue exporting onions and by the end of the year it will start shipping grapes. Additionally, they are also conducting tests with citrus and negotiating with other carriers to load containers with ore that was processed in the area.

"This option would allow companies to optimize their internal transport logistics and reducing logistics costs by no less than US $500 per container when compared to the port of Callao," he said.

In this regard, the Central Management of the Export Association of Exporters (ADEX) welcomed this new alternative that the exporters of value added products, produced in the south, have to dispatch their products via this port terminal.

They also highlighted the company's high level of competitiveness and their good relationship with the authorities. In contrast to the North Terminal in Callao, the users of the Port of Pisco have a high level of satisfaction.

Among the products that could also be shipped in containers from the Port of Pisco are: asparagus, peppers, citrus, tara, pomegranates, canned fish, and scallops, among others.

The dealer said that, according to the contract they signed, they should invest $210 million dollars to remodel the port, which they will do starting 2016, and which could turn this into a major port terminal of agricultural exports. "The first stage of this remodelling includes the dredging of the port to 14 meters deep, reinforcing slabs, the pier, and new warehouses for dry cargo and refrigerated warehouses will be built," said Sergio Nichele.

ADEX is coordinating with the Regional Government of Ica and with the Terminal Port Paracas SA to join efforts to benefit the production and export capacity of the region, including the delivery of courses, workshops, training seminars, and other activities, such as forums and missions.