To understand ECOPUERTO’s future potential as a multipurpose port, Colombian Natural Resources (CNR) engaged Moffatt & Nichol to undertake a market study and competitive analysis.
CNR were interested in the facility’s potential in the import, export, storage, and loading/unloading by train, pipeline and truck of liquid fuels, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, LNG, coal and coke, containers, liquid bulk, dry bulk, and general cargo.
Moffatt & Nichol evaluated the demand projection for the different types of cargo, determining the commercial potential of these goods for ECOPUERTO. International trade (imports and exports) of the different products were analysed, as well as cargo volumes by competing ports and macro socioeconomic and international trade indicators. A competitor analysis looked at the technical characteristics of existing terminals and structures of vertically integrated companies within the maritime port sector. The types of vessel used for the various types of cargo and recent trends were analysed.
The Master Plan defined the relevant maritime and terrestrial spaces, identifying the requirements of these spaces to serve the expected volumes. It determined the necessary organisation of the terminal to allow optimal operation, with easy access from land and sea to enable safe transportation. The Master Plan also defined the phases and stages of port development to minimise initial capital investment and follow expected growth, without impacting terminal functionality.
A SWOT analysis identified the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats of the market, competition, infrastructure, financing, logistics and regulation that would affect the project. A risk matrix evaluated the probability of these main risks, together with the potential impact on the business.
