The port of Pecem in the Ceara state of Brazil will invest some considerable amount in the enhancement of the port’s infrastructure. The investment will be undertaken in a period of the coming six years, to cost about US$1.3 billion. The investment plans were revealed by the port’s spokesman in an interview with BNamericas. The BNamericas report indicated the investments are geared at not only improving the port, but as well expanding and reinforcing its infrastructure.

According to the port administrator, as well the spokesman, the port has witnessed the arrival of large enterprises from the steel and thermoelectric industries, as well as the Transnordestina railroad. The increased enterprises thus necessitate the need for expansion of the Ceara port. The fresh investment sum comes in the wake of other projects that are pegged at 570 million reals the port is currently undertaking.

The projects already underway are meant to expand the port’s multipurpose terminal to meet the increasing demand. As it is, the project is increasing the port’s breakwater docking areas and shipyard, as well as instituting a conveyor system to handle coal cargo. The port’s new investment is thus meant to bolster the existing operational expansion projects and will run for another six years. The new infrastructural enhancements at the port will hike the terminal’s container movement capacity fivefold.

Pecem port is located approximately 60km from state capital Fortaleza, in Sao Goncalo do Amarante. The port was initially designed to serve the steel and oil sectors, but now handles containers and general cargo. According to the spokesman, the investment, spread over the coming six years will greatly improve the port’s offering vis a vis its operations.

The fact that huge arrivals from enterprises such as the steel and thermoelectric industries are taken through the port, the increased facility, with its better infrastructure stands to offer improved revenues from the business, said the administrator. Pecem port is used for the loading and off-loading of freight delivered by cargo ships from the world over. It has a terminal to handle this operation.

Ceará is one of the 27 states of Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country, on the Atlantic coast. It is currently the 8th largest Brazilian State by population and the 17th by area. It is also one of the main touristic destinations in Brazil.

24 Sep 2010.