OPC handles 5 million TEUs in 8 years

Eight years after starting operations at Puerto Cortés, Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana (OPC) has moved a total of five million TEUs.

The five-millionth TEU was handled during the call of CMA CGM’s M/V Alexis, which arrived at OPC in January. The 6,900-TEU capacity vessel is the second largest vessel to dock in Puerto Cortés – the only port in the North Atlantic and Central America regions capable of handling ships of this size up to New Panamax ships with maximum capacity of 12,500 TEUs.

Puerto Cortés is the most efficient port in the CA-4 region. It has deep waters, world-class infrastructure and state-of-the-art port equipment for the container and general cargo industry. Since OPC started operations in 2014, service times at the port have drastically improved from around two hours in 2014 to just 40 minutes in 2022.

The improved efficiency resulted from OPC’s terminal modernization program, which include investments in new and existing technology and infrastructure. The modernization of Pier 6, dredging and addition of Super Post Panamax cranes have enabled OPC to handle larger vessels and paved the way for the terminal to reach an annual movement capacity of one million TEUs.

Currently, OPC is on track with its investment schedule to further increase the terminal’s capacity and efficiency as part of the goal to make the port even more competitive as an international gateway.