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Hutchison Ports ICAVE starts operations in Veracruz
Hutchison Ports-Icave has commenced the operation of its newly built specialized container terminal (TEC) located within the Mexican port of Veracruz.
The arrival of the 6,500-TEU CMA CGM White Shark box ship signaled that the US$450 million terminal was now open for business. The vessel is deployed on the trade lane between the Gulf of Mexico and Europe.
"This is a great day for the country, for Veracruz and for Hutchison Ports, the entire port community, importers and exporters deserved to have such a modern infrastructure as we have today," Hutchison-Icave executive director for Mexico and Latin America Jorge Lecona was quoted as saying in a report by Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.
Mr Lecona said that TEC Vera Cruz will be the most technologically advanced terminal in Mexico as it leverages block chain and artificial intelligence to provide services to customers.
According to Port Administration Integral (API) Veracruz general director Miguel Angel Yanez Monroy, construction of the other four new terminals is continuing: liquids and hydrocarbons - which is due to open at year-end, agricultural bulk, minerals and general cargo.
The total area of the extension for the new port of Vera Cruz that includes ICAVE-TEC and the four specialized terminals is 1,113 hectares of which 626 hectares are located on land and 487 hectares in water, doubling the size of the current port that stretches over 554 hectares land-sea.