Colombia’s Port Santa Marta to Purchase Port Corpus Christi’s Refrigerated Warehouse

 TX, USA – Port Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the sale of the refrigerated warehouse to Port Santa Marta, Colombia in a special port commission meeting held Tuesday, January 26, 2015.
In support of the alignment and construction of a new Harbor Bridge the port committed to remove the Refrigerated warehouse. On August 12, 2014, the Port Commission approved a Resolution designating the Refrigerated Warehouse Facility and associated furniture, fixtures, and equipment currently located at Cargo Dock 10 as surplus property. Furthermore, the resolution authorized staff to prepare bid specifications and to advertise the sale of the Refrigerated Warehouse Facility in accordance with the applicable Texas Municipal Code.
On January 13, 2015, we received two responses to the Notice to Bidders. Texas Descon, LLC, a Texas based firm representing the Port of Santa Marta in Colombia, submitted the highest and best bid in the amount of $410,000. The Port of Santa Marta intends to disassemble the facility, ship the components to Colombia, and re-assemble the building and equipment to support operations at their location. In addition to their bid, Texas Descon submitted an executed Bill of Sale.”We have a sister port relationship with our friends from Port Santa Marta. We have to give up the cold storage facility to support the new path of the New Harbor Bridge but Port Commissioners and staff are glad to know that the refrigerated warehouse will have a great home at Port Santa Marta,” said Judy Hawley, Chair Port Commission.Mauricio Suárez Ramírez, CEO of the port of Santa Marta commented, “This news is historic for the our country’s international trade and infrastructure. Colombia handles large flows of refrigerated cargo, but it did not have a port with refrigerated warehouses for such purpose, therefore we are betting on commercial products strengthening both imports and exports offering more efficient services, with competitive prices.” Port Santa Marta’s CEO continues; “In honor of a sister port agreement with our friends of the Port of Corpus Christi and we will tribute it with our commitment to baptize the cold storage with this name.
As the primary economic engine of the Coastal Bend, Port Corpus Christi is the 5th largest port in the United States in total tonnage. The Port’s mission statement is to “serve as a regional economic development catalyst while protecting and enhancing its existing industrial base and simultaneously working to diversify its international maritime cargo business.” Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico, with a straight, 45’ deep channel, the Port provides quick access to the Gulf and the entire United States inland waterway system.