The Port of Acajutla, located in Sonsonate, moved 53% of the country’s international trade, and during the first quarter of 2023 alone, it handled 1.8 million metric tons of cargo, according to the Autonomous Port Executive Commission (CEPA).
“Since January 1st to April 23rd, it has mobilized more than 1.8 million metric tons of cargo exported and imported by different productive sectors of the national economy,” reported the autonomous agency.
A CEPA report highlights Acajutla as “an important pillar in the country’s economic development,” playing a leading role in the more than $1.7 billion in exports registered by the country between January and March of this year, and the $3.9 billion in imports reported by the Central Reserve Bank (BCR).
Meanwhile, CEPA added that the movement at the El Salvador International Airport “San Oscar Arnulfo Romero and Galdamez” has mobilized more than 7 million kilograms, equivalent to 7,000 metric tons of exported and imported products.
“In 2023, more than 7 million kilograms of cargo have been moved,” confirmed the CEPA President, Federico Anliker, who added that “last year more than 30 million kilograms were moved in imports and exports, reflecting a 15% increase compared to 2021.”
WORKS IN ACAJUTLA
Due to the relevance of the seaport, the government is carrying out a modernization process to support the logistics infrastructure investment contemplated in President Nayib Bukele’s Cuscatlan Plan.
As part of these works, in September 2022, the government began the expansion of the container yard of the Port of Acajutla, which is investing more than $6 million. This week, the first stone was laid for a new warehouse at that maritime terminal, which will invest around $7.5 million.
The warehouse will allow the enhancement of the fiscal inspection service, which is under the responsibility of the General Customs Directorate of the Ministry of Finance, with a significant improvement in the reduction of costs and processing time, benefiting both the private and public sectors, according to the authorities.
These projects are added to the expansion of the maritime terminal to quadruple its installed capacity and operate from 280,000 teus per year to more than 800,000 teus.