Much-awaited opening of Puerto Antioquia in north of country also represents watershed moment for exports of avocados, mangoes and plantains
Colombia’s largest banana exporter, Uniban, says a new inland port in the north-west of the country will reduce transit times to its markets in Europe and make its overseas business more competitive and more sustainable.
Puerto Antioquia, which is due for completion in early 2025, is a multi-purpose, deepwater terminal located along Colombia’s northern coast on the Gulf of Urabá, in the region of Urabá Antioquia.
It is also expected to bring significant benefits for exporters of other key products such as avocados and mangoes.
“The opening of Puerto Antioquia will be a milestone for Uniban and Colombia. This port will not only optimise our logistics but also solidify our commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence,” says Manuel Laborde, CEO of Uniban.
Uniban, which owns the Turbana brand and sells 90 per cent of its exported bananas in Europe, markets the fruit grown by more than 180 farms and works with more than 2,000 individual growers.
Most of these produce mainly conventional bananas in Urabá, Antioquia, and Magdalena, while some grow organic bananas in the coastal regions of Magdalena and La Guajira.
“Our goal is to ensure that Colombian agricultural products reach Europe in the best possible condition, further strengthening our presence in this key market,” Laborde adds.
Equipped with advanced cargo handling systems and refrigerated storage facilities, Puerto Antioquia is expected to make the transport of products such as bananas, plantains, Hass avocados, and mangoes faster and more efficient.
Egis, one of the companies involved in constructing the port in partnership with CMA CGM and local developers, says the multi-purpose deepwater terminal will consist of three piers with a total length of 1,300 metres, alongside a 35-hectare land-based logistics terminal.
In addition, a 4.2 km viaduct will link the offshore terminal to the logistics terminal.
