Intended to strengthen the economy of Yucatan and the southeastern Mexico, in addition to becoming an important center for the storage and distribution of hydrocarbons, the Port of Progreso will soon present a new and renewed face, according to a federal-state government agreement signed Wednesday Jan. 11.
Governor Rolando Zapata Bello and the federal Secretary of Communications and Transport (SCT), Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, signed yesterday in Mexico City the agreement that guarantees the start of the expansion and modernization of the Yucatecan port.
This project, along with the progress of the alternate viaduct and the access road to Progreso, demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to strengthen the port’s capacity and production, said Zapata Bello.
Port of Progreso is in line for major expansion with an eye toward oil tankers.(PHOTO: yucatan.com.mx)
This work, he said, also includes the three-meter draft of the navigation channel along its 11 km, to receive larger ships. These dimensions are usually necessary for ships carrying fuels, a statement said.
The governor recognized that these actions will bring more benefits to the industrial sector, and will act as a point of attraction for the arrival of new domestic and foreign investments that detonate the creation of new jobs.
Of the 25 hectares considered in the project, 21 will be dedicated to hydrocarbon management and four for the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine.
After signing the agreement, Ruiz Esparza said that in conjunction with the rehabilitation of the Chiapas-Mayab train, the expansion of the Progreso Port will boost economic development not only in the state, but in the southeastern part of Mexico as a whole.
Accompanied by the general coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine, Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, the federal secretary emphasized that the economy of Yucatan has been underpinned by various infrastructure works, implemented during the administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto and that will be articulated with this new project to further boost the economic activity of the region.
The head of the SCT hoped that the signature of the letter of intent will soon be a reality and that the “starting flag” of work will begin soon for the consolidation of this project.
The governor thanked the support provided through the SCT, which is reflected in various works carried out during the first four years of the present administration, to the benefit of its inhabitants.
During the presentation of the project, Ruiz de Teresa indicated that it is the partial transfer of rights of the SCT to make a terminal mainly for hydrocarbons in the port, in order to respond to the requirements derived from energy reform in this region.
Extension Agreement
An agreement was signed yesterday to start work for the remodeling and expansion of the Port of Progreso.
Oil
Among other things, the project seeks to make this area an important center for the collection and distribution of hydrocarbons.
Channel
The general coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine, Guillermo Ruiz de Teresa, stressed that the government of the State will deepen the navigation channel three more meters along the eleven kilometers in length, which will allow ships of larger dimensions to dock, which are precisely the ones that handle the fuels.
Division of purpose
The official also explained that this will allow to have at least 25 hectares, 21 will be of use and destiny for the management of hydrocarbons and four will be for the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine.
Investments
He also indicated that the private sector will participate in this project, giving preference to investors in the area and, if required, domestic and foreign investors.
Impulse
Governor Rolando Zapata Bello thanked the support that President Enrique Peña Nieto has provided to the entity, through the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
Start up
It is expected that work will soon begin at the port.
Source: yucatan.com.mx
