Temperature-controlled logistics operator Friopuerto has opened cold chain facilities at the Freeport of Montevideo (MVD) as Uruguay looks to expand its perishables trade.
The new facility has capacity for 27,500cu metres and up to 9,000 tonnes, and hasthree temperature-controlled chambers ranging from -30°C to +15°C.
A spokesperson for the operator told The Loadstar this morning that the new facility would be used to increase the perishables trade through MVD.
“Specifically, we will be targeting beef, fruit and exports from Bolivia, Paraguay, Southern Brazil, and Uruguay. Although MVD only trades about 850,000 teu annually, there are a lot of import, exports and transhipments of perishables.”
This, said the spokesperson, includes 40,000 tonnes of dairy products to Mexico, 150,000 tonnes of frozen fish to Spain, China and others and 60,000 tonnes of krill to Europe and the US.
“Uruguay’s domestic market is quite small,” the spokesperson continued. “Our aim is to increase its export trade and assist other adjacent countries to increase their import/export volumes.”
The port’s major tradelanes include those to the US east coast, Veracruz, Northern Europe and the western Mediterranean – although Friopuerto says the port is connected to 120 ports worldwide – and is mainly served by CMA-CGM, COSCO, CSAV, Hamburg Süd, Maersk and MSC.
Friopuerto was awarded the contract to run the facility a year ago by the National Port Authority. Services to be offered will include loading and unloading of perishable products at different temperatures, storage, inspection, consolidation and transhipment of perishable freight.
Market analyst BMI Research recently placed Uruguay above Brazil in its annual Logistics Risk Report. Ranked seventh out of 20, two ahead of Brazil, the report notes that Uruguay’s logistics network is typically seen to pose fewer risks than those of its neighbours.
The report states that the country’s network has a strong coverage, based around “a quality, well-developed and relatively uncongested system”. It adds that Uruguay has proved a good entry point for the region, particularly with neighbouring Argentina and Brazil prone to delays.
Despite the praise, it did note that, with a score of 52.5 out of 100 on its index, Uruguay is prone to certain risks. Notably – and perhaps most pertinently to port operators – is the comparatively high cost of exports. This is coupled with a threat of water shortages and the supply chain’s over-reliance on the road network.
