2024-07-06 16:35:48
Between January and March 2024, public service port companies in Colombia handled a total of 23.4 million tons.
The Caribbean region stood out with 18.7 million tons, marking an increase of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2023. In contrast, private zones moved 16.7 million tons of products.
The Colombian Superintendency of Transport published the Port Traffic Statistics Bulletin, which compiles and validates official data from port areas, ensuring their compliance with statistical regulations and standards. The Superintendent of Transport, Ayda Lucy Ospina Arias, emphasized the importance of this tool, which is published quarterly and semi-annually, for citizens interested in the movement of cargo, the arrival of ships and the country’s foreign trade.
Distribution of cargo by region
In the first quarter of 2024, Colombian port areas handled a total of 40.2 million tonsThe Caribbean region led with 35.4 million tons, followed by the Pacific region with 4.2 million tons.
Detail of cargo movement
Cartagena stood out as the port area with the highest traffic, handling 10 million tons, representing 42.8% of the total cargo and an increase of 18.2% compared to the previous year. Private port companies also showed a notable performance, with Ciénaga, Cartagena and the Gulf of Morrosquillo being the most active areas. In particular, American Port Company and Cenit Transporte y Logística de Hidrocarburos SAS handled 8.3 and 2.4 million tons, respectively.
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By port area, Cartagena managed 30.8% of the total cargo with 12.3 million tons, followed by Ciénaga with 21.7% and 8.7 million tons, and the Gulf of Morrosquillo with 15.5% and 6.2 million tons.
Imports and exports
Magdalena River recorded the highest percentage increase in imports, with 104% more than in the same period in 2023. In absolute terms, Cartagena increased by 398 thousand tons, 17% more. The main imported products were petroleum derivatives (1.6 million tons), corn (1.1 million tons) and household goods (724 thousand tons).
In terms of exports, Turbo experienced the largest percentage increase with 21.6%, while Ciénaga led in absolute terms with an additional 1.4 million tons. Coal was the main exported product with 11.6 million tons, followed by petroleum derivatives (3.6 million tons) and petroleum (3.4 million tons).
Container handling
Port companies handled 712 thousand containers, representing a 10.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Of the total number of containers, 50.8% were full FEUS containers, with an increase of 15.1%, while full TEUs accounted for 23.6%, with an increase of 9.7%. TEUs and FEUs are units of measurement equivalent to standard 20-foot and 40-foot containers, respectively.
This growth in cargo and container handling underlines the importance of Colombian port areas in international trade and their crucial role in the country’s economy.
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