Puerto Cortés is the largest seaport in Honduras and one of the most important hubs in Central America. The city is located on the Caribbean coast, in the north of Honduras.
In 2019, our valued client AVANZA Honduras started an infrastructure project for the construction of an innovative terminal for inorganic bulk cargo. It consists of a T-shaped jetty pier, with a 118-meter long front face and one berthing dolphin. Including the berthing dolphin, the quay wall measures 152 meters allowing vessels up to 245 meters long, 32 meters wide and capacity of 75,500 DWT to berth safely. In addition, the terminal has the deepest draft, at 14 meters, in the Central American Atlantic region.
ShibataFenderTeam delivered 6 sets of SPC 1000 Cone Fender Systems with a closed steel panel design measuring 2150 x 2150 mm and one SPC Double Cone Fender System consisting of two single systems. They are installed and working on the newly built pier. SFT supports AVANZA as technical expert with the operation and maintenance of the fender systems.
The construction of Berth 2A was completed in a record six months, beginning in June 2019 and finishing in January 2020. SFT handled the order for the fender systems including delivery and installation in approximately 25 weeks. The project had a total value of about U.S. $25 million and was supported by the local government through a public-private partnerships (PPP) in Puerto Cortés. That means that 100 percent of the investment for the new berth comes from Honduras, which is unique. The terminal is used for inorganic cargo such as stone aggregates, iron oxide, coal and oil petroleum coke, and strengthens Puerto Cortés’ position as the port with the highest capacity for inorganic bulk products.
It is the first berth in Honduras built by using prefabricated construction items to support the preservation of the marine ecosystem. Efficiency, mobility and technology were the cornerstones for the design of Berth 2A. Congratulations to AVANZA Honduras on the completion of this major project and best wishes for a successful operation.
Republished from Marine Construction Magazine Issue V, 2022