Brazil upgrades Termisa Port
As blizzards still plague the Upper Midwest and Canada, sunny Brazil has some welcome news for salt-strapped road salt customers.
Last year, the federal Brazilian government invested US $10 million to expand the capabilities of Termisa Port, the federal offshore port terminal built on a man-made island exclusively to load bulk salt. The port has been in operation since 1974, but had never been able to load Panamax-sized ships (~75,000 tons) until March 2008.
Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ("Lula") recently approved a second round of investments in Termisa. The new project, ten times larger at US $100 million, will increase the stockpile area by 50%, dredge the ship channels and maneuver areas to a depth of 17 meters and improve barge access bringing the salt from mainland saltworks. A new unloader crane and new belt conveyor system will double vessel loading capacity.
Salt Institute member Salinor's international business director Augusto Pires, said the investment is part of Brazil's economic stimulus package aimed to upgrade infrastructure throughout the country and represents the government's strong interest in Northeast Brazil and the salt industry.
The improvements should be completed in late 2010.
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