Cartagena, Colombia – Impala Warehousing and
Logistics International B.V. “Impala”, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
leading commodities company, Trafigura Beheer B.V. “Trafigura”,
today announced a USD27 million investment to develop a multi-modal
transportation system in Colombia. This development will allow
easier, safer, and more efficient transportation of coal and other
commodities along the Magdalena River. The investment, in a fleet
of 19 dry cargo barges and a tug, will strengthen navigation on
Colombia’s principal waterway and promote the country’s ability to
export key commodities to international markets.
Colombia’s Magdalena River is the largest in Colombia, running
over 1,500 kilometres from the Andes in the southwest to the
Caribbean. Impala is signalling a strong commitment to Colombia and
the country’s ongoing effort to convert the Magdalena River into a
highly competitive water transport route. The river connects
Colombia’s mining operations in its
interior to Barranquilla, the country’s fourth largest city and a
major port serving the Caribbean region and other international
markets.
Colombia’s economy, which grew by nearly 6% in 2011, was
boosted, in part, by a strong mining sector, particularly in coal.
Colombia is the world’s fourth largest coal producer and saw a
dramatic rise in coal production in 2011. More than 90% of
production was exported, principally to the United States and
Europe.
Each Impala barge is 197 feet (60 metres) long with a total
cargo capacity of 2,500 tonnes so creating a total fleet capacity
of 47,500 tonnes. All barges are double-hulled to promote greater
safety. The barges will initially be docked in Barranquilla and the
port city of Barrancabermeja located on the banks of the Magdalena
River, and are expected to be fully operational by mid-May this
year.
Also arriving this week in Cartagena will be a 3,150hp tug boat
that will navigate the barges up and down the river. The tug is
equipped with modern navigation instruments and nine rudders
intended to significantly improve the maneuverability of the
convoys.
“Impala’s role in creating a multi-modal logistics chain, at a
time when there is a great interest in reducing logistics costs in
Colombia, demonstrates our strong confidence in the competitive
advantages that the Magdalena River has over other modes of
transportation,” said Alejandro Costa, General Manager of Impala in
Colombia.
Speaking on behalf of Colombia's Magdalena river regional
autonomous corporation (Cormagdalena) Augusto García, Executive
Director said “Impala’s investment represents a vote of confidence
in the river’s potential and a long term commitment to Colombia.
This investment will play a pivotal role in developing the
multi-modal logistics system that the country needs to generate
economies of scale, reduce logistics costs, and bring Colombia’s
industrial capability closer to global markets.”
For further information please contact:
Ojalvo Asociados │ Colombia: +57 315 3358717 or media@impala-wl.com