MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Buenos Aires cruise terminal can berth four 300-metres cruise vessels at the same time

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World during the inauguration

South America’s largest and most modern cruise terminal, Quinquela Martin, developed and operated by global port operator DP World Dubai Ports), was inaugurated this week by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner , together with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World.

The ultra-modern new cruise terminal complex, located in DP World’s Terminales Rio de la Plata (TRP), is spread over 12,300 sq m, and has capacity to handle 600,000 passengers a year. The new cruise terminal has can berth four 300-metre cruise vessels at the same time.

During the current season, 135 cruise ships have called at the terminal bringing more than 365,000 tourists, a new record for Buenos Aires. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “We thank the President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, for inaugurating the expanded new cruise terminal. Terminales Rio de la Plata is one of our busiest facilities in the region, and the new cruise terminal will add further strength to our operations here. DP World is privileged to play a role in contributing to the growth of tourism and trade in Argentina.”

The new terminal building consists of two levels and includes an air-conditioned waiting area with capacity for 2,000 people and a vast carousel area that can accommodate more than12,000 pieces of luggage. Two new passenger check-in facilities have created 100 new jobs, in line with DP World’s policy of delivering benefits to the local community.

Terminales Rio de la Plata, located in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires, is the largest container terminal in Argentina. It also handles general cargo and cruise vessels. The terminal services deep-sea vessels from Europe, Asia and North America, as well as feeders to both the East and West Coast of South America and barges upriver to Rosario.

DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 49 terminals and nine new developments and major expansions in 31 countries. Its, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 people serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.

In 2010, DP World handled around 50 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to around 92 million TEU by 2020