Port of Barcelona’s management board has approved the next phase of development of Hutchison Ports BEST (Barcelona Europe South Terminal) on the Prat wharf, a project that will cost US$68 million (60€ million) in total.
Hutchison Ports will invest US$35.1 million (€31 million) in civil engineering works to accommodate seven more container blocks, which translates to a capacity expansion of 26% or 700,00 TEU. The rest of US$32.8 million (€29 million) will be invested in 14 new automated cranes.
Eight of them will serve the first four blocks that are estimated to be operational by late 2023, while the remaining six will be incorporated subsequently.
The works that will be carried out on the 100,000 m² of land, which the Port of Barcelona handed over to the Hutchison terminal a year ago, are expected to start by 1 May 2022.
The Spanish port’s terminal has currently 27 container blocks in operation. By the completion of the development project, BEST will have added another seven, totalling 34.
In addition, Hutchison Ports-operated terminal now occupies 800,000 m2 of land on the Prat wharf, with a 1,500-metre wharf, and a depth at water level of 16.5 metres.
Currently, the terminal has 54 automated cranes, two cranes at the rail terminal (RMG), 34 shuttle carriers and 13 post-Panamax super dock cranes, which can operate ultra large container vessels.
