The operations at the Colombia Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce (SPIA) container terminal have been launched as the terminal handled its first container vessel, the 9,411 TEU MSC Sasha on November 27.

In its first phase of development, the marine terminal will be able to handle an annual capacity of 550,000 TEUs. It will also operate a bulk terminal with a capacity of 2 million tons per year.

Located on the Pacific Coast of Colombia, Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce is designed and built to serve mega container vessels with capacity of up to 18,000 TEUs.

SPIA terminal is a joint venture between International Container Terminal Services Inc. and PSA International, with an investment of over USD 500 million.

“The commencement of operations at Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce marks a crucial milestone in Colombia’s port infrastructure and is the result of a successful collaboration between foreign port partners and local stakeholders,” Miguel Abisambra, CEO of Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce, said.

“Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce will be the latest generation port to facilitate foreign trade and contribute to the country’s competitiveness,” Abisambra added.

MSC Sasha is the first of 10 ships to call in a weekly service launched by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and German shipping firm Hapag Lloyd, which connects the US East Coast and Europe with the West Coast of South America.

Construction on the terminal is expected to be fully completed by the first quarter of 2017.