Port of Sines sees ‘best year ever’ in container cargo in 2021
Despite the adversities of the pandemic, the Port of Sines recorded "an expressive year-on-year growth in all cargo segments."
The Port of Sines announced on Tuesday that it has recorded “the best year ever” in containerised cargo, surpassing the barrier of 1.8 million TEU (20-foot equivalent units) in 2021.
Despite the adversities of the pandemic, the Port of Sines recorded “an expressive year-on-year growth in all cargo segments,” the Port of Sines said in a statement.
Containerised cargo grew 13%, which allowed it to surpass the 1.8 million TEU barrier,” it said.
In addition to these results, there was also a “10% growth in the volume of cargo handled,” which corresponds to “a total of 46.5 million tonnes.
According to the port administration, in addition to containers, “liquid bulks also stand out, including liquefied natural gas, which, with a total of 4.1 million tonnes, was responsible for supplying almost the entire country.
However, and despite the increase in cargo handled at the port, last year, there was “a decrease in the number of ships received” at the Alentejo port, which translated into “greater logistical efficiency”.
“Rail continues to be the privileged land means of access to the port”, representing “64% in the modal distribution and an operation of about 6,000 trains” last year.
And “hinterland traffic, which includes Portugal and Spain, exceeded 464,000 TEUs,” APS added.
The Port of Sines is currently expanding the Sines Container Terminal (Terminal XXI), which will “increase annual handling capacity from 2.3 to 4.1 million TEUs,” the port’s management body said.