Peru's transport and communications minister Verónica Zavala announced that a tender will be launched this year to choose a private partner for state port operator Enapu, state news agency Andina reported.
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Enapu will have to compete with Dubai Ports World Callao at the Callao port, where the company operates the Muelle Sur terminal concession and will be investing US$600mn in the project.
During a presentation to the congressional transport committee, Zavala said Dubai Ports was planning to invest US$276mn in the first stage of operations and US$216mn in the second stage. The concessionaire also has to give US$144mn to the national port authority (APN) as part of complementary additional investments.
By having a private partner, Enapu will be able to carry out the necessary investments to improve its operations.
"What we want to guarantee is that Callao port, between Muelle Sur and the Enapu piers, has the resources to increase handling volume from the current 1.2mn TEUs to 4mn TEUs," Zavala said, adding this would make the port a hub in the region.
The project to build the Muelle Centro pier at Callao will require a US$123mn investment and Enapu expects to start construction during 2010. At the same time, Enapu plans to invest US$284mn for improvement works on Muelle Norte.
OPPOSITION
The proposal to select a private partner has provoked opposition from the Enapu workers federation Fentenapu, which said the government's intention is to privatize the entire port of Callao, paper Expreso reported.
Fentenapu general secretary Adolfo Granadino said that Enapu does not need a strategic partner and that the state should compete with Dubai Ports.
"The company has operating profits of 40%, revenues of around 18mn soles [US$6mn] and is invoicing more than US$100mn a year," Granadino was quoted as saying.
