A new warehouse and a last-mile transport service at Porto Itapoa, Brazil offers customers increased flexibility and efficiency and lower operating costs. This is part of an ongoing investment at the terminal which will also increase capacity from 1.2 million TEUs to 2 million TEUs once completed in 2023. The R$ 750 million expansion plan at Porto Itapoa will also increase the yard from 250,000 m² to 455,000 m².
Reduced or zero demurrage
“This is particularly important as free-time – the length of time, a container can be stored free of charge at the port – has reduced considerably since the beginning of the pandemic to help reduce congestion. It can also help customers reduce or completely remove demurrage charges – a penalty paid by customers for using a container beyond the contracted term.”
The storage facility offers additional flexibility for companies that are close to reaching their maximum stocking capacity. “As operational procedures also fall under our responsibility, the customer has much less administration and more convenience,” adds Pandolfo.
Less-than-truckload last mile service
Porto Itapoa already offered fractional cargo operations, but this is now supported by its new fractional cargo transport service which reduces logistics complexity and adds flexibility for customers.
Deliveries are made within a 160km and 260km radius of Porto Itapoa, directly to the customer’s door using transport managed by the Terminal itself. “In this way, we speed up a step in the customer’s logistics chain, reduce complexity and guarantee delivery,” explains Pandolfo.
APM Terminals holds a 30% share in Porto Itapoá. The terminal began operations in June 2011 and is considered to be one of the most agile, efficient and sustainable container terminals in Latin America.