Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura has appointed HHLA subsidiary HPC Hamburg Port Consulting  to develop a terminal optimization and business development strategy for its multipurpose port facility in the Bay of Buenaventura, in Columbia. The work will focus on terminal optimization, capacity use and phased development scenarios for bulk, RoRo and multipurpose cargo

The study will assess how existing terminal space, infrastructure and cargo-handling assets can be used more effectively, while identifying growth options in solid bulk, liquid bulk, RoRo and other multipurpose cargo segments. It will combine terminal planning, market analysis and financial modelling to support phased development options for the terminal.

SPRBUN operates a multipurpose terminal in Buenaventura, handling containers, general cargo, solid bulk, liquid bulk and RoRo. While containers remain an important part of the terminal’s activity, the project will also focus on the future role of non-containerized cargo and the commercial potential of a broader cargo portfolio.

“Buenaventura is located on Colombia’s Pacific coast and plays a strategic role in the country’s international trade. We are confident that significant opportunities exist to further strengthen our terminal’s position across different cargo segments,” said William Angarita, Director of Planning, Projects and Innovation at SPRBUN. “With HPC, we are looking at how our existing assets, cargo mix and operational set-up can support more efficient operations and a stronger position in selected growth areas.”

A central focus is solid bulk. SPRBUN is analysing how it can participate more directly in the solid bulk value chain, and which cargo flows offer the strongest commercial potential. The work will also consider liquid bulk and RoRo opportunities where market demand, operational feasibility and investment needs can be aligned.

Rather than starting from a single expansion path, HPC will develop short-, medium- and long-term scenarios. These will range from operational improvements and better use of existing capacity to phased layout and investment options that could support future cargo growth.

HPC brings experience in terminal planning, operations, market analysis and financial modelling for ports and terminals worldwide. The company has also previously supported SPRBUN with an integrated master plan for their terminal in Buenaventura, giving the project team familiarity with the terminal’s cargo mix, layout and development context.

“This work is about connecting market opportunities with the physical and financial realities of the terminal,” said Nuno Nunes, Vice-President Americas at HPC Hamburg Port Consulting. “By looking at cargo potential, capacity use, layout options and investment logic together, we can help define a practical development path for the next phase of Buenaventura’s multipurpose operations.”

By testing cargo growth, layout and investment options across different time horizons, the strategy will help reduce uncertainty before larger development decisions are made. The aim is to identify measures that can strengthen terminal performance while keeping future growth options open.