A gala ceremony was held last week to celebrate the official opening of BTP in Santos, Brazil, last week. (Image: APM Terminals)

“Another BRIC in the Wall” – Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) was officially opened last week with a gala ceremony held at the Port of Santos’ new 1.2 million TEU capacity container terminal.

The development of BTP began back in 2007, with APM Terminals acquiring a 50 percent share from Terminal Investment Limited (TIL) in 2010. APM Terminals will operate the terminal alongside TIL for a 20-year period, whilst investing over US$20 billion into the project during this time span.

Although fully equipped and operational since March, commercial operations at BTP could not commence until the terminal was issued International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Certification in April, and granted an operating license from the Brazilian Institute of Environmental and Renewable Natural resources in July.

The first commercial vessel call took place in August, and with scheduled dredging having been completed in October, BTP has become fully operational with 1,108 metres of quay and a 15 metre depth, capable of serving three 9,200 TEU capacity vessel calls simultaneously.

The Port of Santos, the busiest container port in South America, handled 3 million TEU during the 2012 calendar year. Source: Port Technology International