The Port of Sines ended 2020 with a “13% increase in containerized cargo in relation to the previous year”, reveals the Administration of the Ports of Sines and the Algarve (APS), also highlighting the slight increase in the movement of petroleum products in the segment of liquid bulk and a negative result in solid bulk which is already a consequence of the closure of coal plants.
However, this was the “third best result ever in terms of container handling, with the particularity of having been achieved in a pandemic context, in which world projections point to a decrease in this segment”, advances the APS, clarifying that “ in containerized cargo, it is also important to highlight the increase in volume related to the hinterland, which already represents more than 442 thousand TEU (standard measure for a twenty-foot container), demonstrating the growing importance of Sines in the import and export flows of companies ”.
In the “liquid bulk” segment, there was a slight increase of 1% compared to 2019, to a total of 21,5 million tons ”, says APS. In this segment, the “reception of more than 8,3 million tons of crude to supply the Sines refinery, the handling of 7,3 million tons of refined products (gasoline, gas oils and the like), mostly for exports, as well as receiving more than 4 million tons of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which represent more than 90% of the country's needs for natural gas ”, details the port administration.
The “solid bulk” segment presented a negative result, with a drop of 80% in movement, explained by the announced closure of coal-fired power plants ”, says APS. The break in the movement of this mineral falls within the scope of the decarbonisation plan for the economy, which has had an impact on the movement of the Port of Sines in recent years and which, “in 2020, represented 2,5 million tons less handled”, he adds .
“In the sum of the three cargo segments, the Port of Sines ended the year with a total movement of 42,2 million tons in all port terminals, reflecting an increase of 1% compared to the previous year”, informs APS.
“2020 was also the year in which the Port of Sines presented the new strategic plan, aimed at strengthening centrality and connectivity based on a network management or system coordination model, and a firm commitment to environmental and social sustainability. , preparing the port for an increasingly modern, innovative, digital and efficient future ”, says the port authority, recognizing that“ 2020 was a year different from all others ”.
“The pandemic context in which we live has forced companies to adapt to new realities and find new solutions to serve customers. The positive results achieved by the Port of Sines, both in total handling and, particularly, in containerized cargo, demonstrate the capacity and resilience of all who work in this port infrastructure and which guarantee an adequate response to the needs of companies located in the port. hinterland, both in Portugal and in Spain ”, concludes APS.
