Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana (OPC), the Honduran subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) operating Puerto Cortes, Central America 4’s (CA-4) largest port, can expect faster cargo movement in and around the terminal. This is because OPC improved its collaboration with Honduran authorities for improved and more efficient port services.
OPC is cooperation with the Honduran government and Puerto Cortés authorities to improve the port’s competitiveness in the four-nation CA-4, comprising Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Enhancements regard simplified and faster port transactions, and the building of important road infrastructure the will improve cargo movement in the region.
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In order, as part of efforts to expand intra-regional trade, the Honduran Customs Agency has streamlined its systems for early clearance and dispatch of cargo. Operating hours of customs authorities were also extended until 7 p.m.
What is more, the Honduran Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SENASA) has applied online processes for the application of certificates and phytosanitary permits, in order to improve the process and generation of payment tickets.
Outside of the port, the Honduran Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Services has invested in the expansion, reconstruction and maintenance of the main road and secondary road network leading to the port, This aims to expedite the transfer of loads between hinterland areas and border areas in the CA-4.
In addition, Enpresa Nacional Portuaria (ENP), the Honduran port authority also enabled a truck entry facilitation zone next to the port’s immediate confines, addressing truck traffic on public roads during the days when a large amount of cargo is sent or received.
Once fully completed, these service improvements should improve the country’s position as Central America’s regional logistics hub, and Puerto Cortes as the region’s main port on the Atlantic side.
Finally, ICTSI recently completed the US$145 million Pier 6 greenfield development for OPC, representing the first phase of expansion work in Puerto Cortes. It has also bought two super post-Panamax cranes, facilitating larger ships to dock without any restrictions. More projects are in the plans for the future, such as the construction and expansion of the container yard, and implementation of advanced port technologies for better efficiency.