Pecém is being prepared for higher demand

The Port of Pecém, in the city of São Gonçalo do Amarante, at 56 kilometers from Fortaleza (CE), is receiving near US$ 1.26 billion in investments for the next six years, aimed at its modernization and expansion. The purpose is meeting the demand expected due to the industrial enterprises being installed within the area of CIPP (Industrial and Port Complex of Pecém), such as the oil refinery Premium II of Petrobras and iron-steel works of Companhia Siderúrgica do Pecém (CSP).

“The funds are being apportioned in infrastructure and expansion works, and the purchase or equipment to meet the future demands for cargo moving and especially these structuring projects, such as the refinery and iron-steel production plants being installed,” said Luiz Hernani de Carvalho Júnior, Director of Deployment and Expansion at Companhia de Integração Portuária do Ceará (CearáPortos).

The refinery operation startup is expected for 2017, and the iron-steel plant for 2014. Both of them will count on a modernized and expanded port. According to the Director at CearáPortos, the investments in the expansion of Pecém are funded by BNDES. The Port of Pecém has been operating almost a decade, but is now one of the major ports in the country, leading the exports of fruits, fishes and shoes.

“With the completion of the branch of Transnordestina railroad, expected for 2013, and carrying the production proceeding from the cerrado region, the logistic benefits of Pecém will be further increased, as the port is located at 7-day trip from Europe and 6-day trip from the east coast of the US,” reminds Carvalho.

Data provided by ADECE (Development Agency of Ceará) shows that freight transportation may increase in the State with the railroad operation by 2014, thus reinforcing the need for investments in better port services and conditions. Carvalho Júnior also highlighted the fact that Pecém is being specially prepared for handling oil by-products, in function of the refinery, and iron-steel products, due to CSP, focused on the export of cargoes that will demand for an operation that is not currently common at that facility.

A great part of the plan has works almost completed or to be finished still this year. One of them is the Multipurpose Terminal (TMUT), which will provide fivefold expansion of the current capacity for container moving. According to CearáPortos, in 2010, Port of Pecém handled 3.15 million tons of goods, and 167,200 TEUs were moved into 20-feet containers. Near 489,000 tons were exported last year, generating revenues of US$ 1.15 billion.

From January to April 2011, the container moves by the Port of Pecém increased 37% when compared with the first four months last year, 44% increase in imports and 30% increase in exports. Cabotage services – domestic transportation among Brazilian ports – have increased 20% when compared with the same period in 2010.

Several interventions are being conducted in the expansion of the Multipurpose Terminal, such as the 1,000-m prolongation in the existing breakwater, which will provide total extension of 2,270 meters, in addition to the construction of 760 meters of pier with two continuous mooring berths. One row of cranes is being also installed for container loading and unloading, and a back area to be used as storage yard. The list also includes the installation of more than 480 power outlets for refrigerated containers and expansion of 342 meters of the dual-lane bridge that provides access to the terminal.

The erection of a 9-km long conveyor belt for coal is another work provisioned for delivery in 2011, in addition to one continuous unloading facility for in-bulk materials. The 5.5-km long belt will connect the port to the transfer area and may service Companhia Siderúrgica do Pecém. This conveyor system will carry the mineral coal from the mooring berth to the reception yard of the iron-steel plant and provide conditions for carrying 2,400 tons / hour.

“In the first half of 2011, there is provision for starting a bidding process for the second phase of the terminal expansion and additional expansions, which must occur until 2017,” comments Carvalho Júnior. This phase includes the construction of a new 1,520-m long access bridge, with two new mooring berths, totaling 600 meters of length, and 69,000 m2 of back area, in addition of widening and paving the breakwater section.

“The port is becoming a vector for the installation of foreign trade companies, with the creation of an Export Processing Zone (ZPE),” commented Carvalho Júnior.

With the refinery installation, he also foresees the possibility of attracting companies of the petrochemical industry, and the iron-steel plant must lead to create a more dense production chain in the metal-mechanic sector. “We may have a complete industrial pole in the region,” he said.

Near twenty companies are already operating in the Industrial and Port Complex of Pecém, including Votorantim, which holds a cement production plant within the area, Tortuga, animal food producer, Apodi, also a cement producer, Wobben, manufacturer of wind power turbines and components, thermoelectrical power plants, precast concrete companies, several port operation service providers and one flexible re-gassing unit of Petrobras.

According to Carvalho Júnior, Pecém grows due to its excellent geographical location, in additional to low operational costs and 24-hour year-round operation. In the opinion of Francisco Cunha, Director at TOGA Consultoria em Gestão, the Pecém complex concept is similar to that of the industrial and port complex of Suape, which is mature for longer time, in terms of following the implementation of structuring investments capable of attracting other players in the production chain. “The refinery and the iron-steel plant may attract new businesses,” he emphasized.