Cartagena terminal operator accused of blocking port expansion

Compas is accusing fellow port operator SPRC of a disinformation campaign to block its US$93mn project to expand its multi-purpose terminal at the Cartagena port.

In a complaint filed with industry and commerce regulator SIC, Compas alleges that SPRC, which manages the Cartagena port's Manga terminal, has interfered with the project's environmental impact study by spreading false information in the local community in order to garner opposition support. The project is being reviewed by environmental regulator ANLA.

Compas also claims that SPRC organized meetings with representatives from the transport ministry, the national maritime direction (DIMAR), the Canal del Dique regional autonomous corporation (Cardique) and customs and taxes office DIAN to get them to change their stance on the project. All have so far been in favor.

The terminal expansion project entails adding 110m to the existing quayside, dredging the access channel to 13m, and building a 4.68ha storage yard. The expanded terminal would have a capacity of 3.72Mt/y.