MINFRA (the ministry of Infrastructure) received a proposal for a new R$ 3.6-billion port terminal in Natal and for the adaptation of the current port. The project is for the construction of a terminal on the left bank of the Potengi River, in front of the current port, in addition to the construction of logistical corridors, a third bridge over the river, recovery of the degraded mangrove area, and among other investments in logistics infrastructure – such as a railway branch between the port, the airport, and the Export Processing Zone. Together, investments would reach almost R$ 7 billion. The proposal was prepared by the Center for Strategies on Natural Resources and Energy (CERNE) in partnership with an Italian consultancy and Brazilian offices. According to the proposal, new port will have three container yards: one for empty, one for import and one for export. It will have yards for the handling of solid bulk (iron ore, feldspar, limestone, kaolin, etc.) with conveyor belts coupled with ship loaders. A fuel and chemical tanking yard with a capacity of 80,000m³ would also be built; in addition to all the necessary logistical infrastructures. Companhia Docas do Rio Grande do Norte (CODERN) has not yet taken a position on the matter. In a note, the company said it is discussing a partnership to install a truck yard company in the metropolitan region of Natal. “CODERN’s objective is to contribute to improve traffic and facilitate logistics for users in the Port of Natal”, he informed.
Sources: G1/Datamar News