ITI targeting 13% traffic increase for 2015

Iquique Terminal Internacional (ITI) is aiming to handle 2.4m tonnes of cargo in 2015, which is equivalent to growth of 13% in respect of last year, when it handled 2.1m tonnes. To date, this has involved it in investing US$18.5m to acquire two super post-Panamax gantry cranes and also to overhaul its entire terminal tractor fleet.

The second gantry crane arrived at the terminal in February said managing director Manuel Cañas, adding that existing customers will see the benefit of this upgrade in technology. Overall, he says, vessel turnaround times will be shortened, leading to a better usage of space within the port. Above all, the extended height of the new crane will give the operator better visibility of the cargo being handled. This is necessary, he suggests, citing the recent arrival of an MSC vessel up to 340 m in length, which will be a direct beneficiary of new quayside lift capability.

ITI is also targeting more flows of Bolivian import-export cargo. Last year, this amounted to 175,000 tonnes; this year, Iquique is aiming to hike this to 300,000 tons. Indeed, the port operator has recently opened an office in Santa Cruz in Bolivia specifically to target more freight from that country.