TDA to fund US$300K feasibility into Callao upgrade

The US Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) will bankroll a US$300,000 feasibility study into a new container terminal at Peru's principal port Callao. The study will cover market, engineering, financing and environmental aspects. The closing date for US companies interested in performing the study is December 16. The USTDA estimates the project will result in US$31mn in US exports. Demand at Callao has exceeded its operating capacity of some 400,000 TEUs and is currently estimated at 550,000 TEUs. Most of the existing port was built from 1928 to 1934 and the last significant equipment upgrade was in 1998. Peru's ministry of transport and communications (MTC) says the port handles 72% of Peru's foreign commerce and more than 60% of exports.