transhipment – 72 percent of the vessels transiting the canal also
make a port call to drop off and pick up cargo.
“The question for Panama is whether it can add value to that
cargo to create exports – we are not like Colombia, with a
population of 40 million and its large industrial base,” Quijano said.
“That fact makes our ports less competitive, so we are looking at
ways to open up the containers and add value to the goods coming
through the canal.”
A large parcel of land exists along the canal, near to PSA Panama’s
Rodman terminal, which itself completed a major expansion project
in 2018 that took capacity up to around 2 million TEU a year, and
transformed it from a single- to a two-berth operation where MSC
has established a transhipment operation connecting its Ecuador
feeder service with one its transatlantic deepsea services.
There is some 1,200ha of brownfield land adjacent to Rodman,
which was “completely useless land that couldn’t be used because it
was full of ordinance left by the US Army when they were in control
of the canal, as they used it as a firing range”.
The area was cleared of the ordinance during the canal expansion
project.
He said that the canal had drawn up plans to develop a ro-ro
terminal for pure car carriers where value-added services such pre-
delivery inspections of finished vehicles could be offered, as well as
an LNG bunkering facility for vessels using LNG as a fuel post-2020.
Next to that will be the site of ‘Panama’s logistics dream’, possibly
covering as much 689ha.
Quijano said construction of first phase will launch next year,
covering some 55ha, with a second phase dedicated to
temperature-controlled logistics covering 30ha to follow. He added
that Panama may once again look to concession the Corazal
terminal project which previously failed to attract a single tender,
despite initial interest from PSA, APM Terminals and CMA CGM,
among others.
“There were some companies that didn’t express interest initially
that we are now talking to and instead of a three-ship berth, we
have brought it down to two.
“We are not clear about when we might relaunch the tender
process, but we are certain it will be needed at some point – the
current port capacity of Panama is about 6 million TEU and we feel
that more will be required at some point,” he said.
It appeared that Panama is able to turn its attention back to its
ports now that the decision to expand the canal, formally opened in
June 2016, has been firmly vindicated.
“In the fiscal year there was a 22 percent increase in tonnage
transiting the canal – it has been a very good year for the canal.
There was a 12 percent increase in container tonnage and 24
percent increase in liquid bulk.
“Car carriers also picked up and got back to the level where they
were in 2007, mainly due to Mexican exports of finished vehicles to
the US.
“However, any tariffs imposed by the US pose questions over the
future of the Panama Canal. The fact is that the canal’s two largest
customers – the US and China – are about to embark on a course
that will affect us; we just don’t know how yet,” he said.
It also finds itself under continuing competitive pressure from
Suez. Quijano claimed the Egyptian waterway offered lines a 55
percent discount on transit fees when Panama opened the
expanded canal, which last year was increased to a 65 percent
discount – “They are almost giving it away,” he said.
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Americas
January/February 2019
Panama’s logistics dream – the Canal
Authority has made available brownfield
land to construct a brand new logistics hub
DIVERSE MODERN TANK FLEET
GLOBAL SUPPORT NETWORK
Over 50 years of Global Tank Container
leasing experience and industry knowledge
• #FKXGTUKƂGFTCPIGQH666CPM6[RGU
• %CRCEKVKGUTCPIKPIHTQONKVTGU
• 5WKVCDNGHQTVJGUJKROGPVCPFUVQTCIGQH )CUGU$WNM.KSWKFU
JC\CTFQWUQTPQPJC\CTFQWU CPF$WNM2QYFGTRTQFWEVU
• )NQDCNPGVYQTMQHURGEKCNKUGFFGRQVU
• 6GEJPKECNGZRGTVKUGVQRTQXKFGKPUGTXKEGUQNWVKQPU
• (NGZKDNGNGCUKPIUQNWVKQPUCPFGSWKROGPVUCNGU
successfully completed this year.
At the end of his speech, Constantin Conrad took a look into the
future of the company. “After 40 years of successful presence in
south-eastern Brazil and in order to strengthen and develop the
position and importance of Leschaco Ltda, we will invest this year
in a north-south expansion. Office openings are planned in Itajai,
Santa Catarina and Porto Alegre. The business of Leschaco Ltda is
growing sustainably despite the continuing economic crisis in
Brazil and it is our goal to continue this positive trend,” he
concluded.
www.leschaco.com
an
company
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT
SEACOGLOBAL.COM AND CONTACT
YOUR REGIONAL TANK SPECIALISTS
7