As part of the process to improve competitiveness and capabilities for the handling, loading and unloading of merchandise, The Santo Tomás de Castilla National Port Company (Empornac) carries out the structural maintenance of berth number 3 of the port.
President Bernardo Arévalo visited the facilities of Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla this Wednesday, July 8in order to know how the work carried out to improve the structure is progressing.
According to José de la Peña, president of the Board of Directors of Empornac, The work currently being carried out seeks to improve the loading and unloading capacities of merchandise in the port, with the aim of strengthening the efficiency and competitiveness of the Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla, which is the main route of entry and exit to the Caribbean.
During the tour carried out by President Arévalo, it was explained that the work for the structural improvement of berth number 3 They began on March 18, 2025 with the logistical mobilization of equipment and supplies to carry out the work. Later, in June of the same year, work began.
The president of Empornac indicated that in In February 2026, the second phase began, which so far shows a physical progress of 53%.
In total, andThe project will cover 190 meters and, in each 40-meter segment, six fenders and two bitts were removed —vertical posts—that were secured to the pier and, later, the tread slab was removed. It was also indicated that, to date, more than one hundred piles have been maintained with the aim of guaranteeing their integrity and safety.
Among the details provided to President Bernardo Arévalo, it was also indicated that In the next stage, reinforcement, the installation of new piles will be carried out in the area of berth number 3 with the purpose of improving and enhancing the loading capacity. The new head beams will also be placed and the upper structures will be reinstalled, thus guaranteeing a new, much more modern and resistant berth, stated De la Peña.
According to projections, The total cost of the project will amount to Q157 million and the work is scheduled to be completed this year.. The president of Empornac also explained to President Arévalo that this project lays the foundations so that the next port authorities can continue with the expansion of berths 1, 2 and 4 of the port.
In addition, De la Peña informed the president that the construction of a new berth especially for cruise ships is also planned, because the Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla currently receives several cruise ships each year.
De la Peña indicated that the construction of this new berth is planned in one of the areas adjacent to the port, where there is a nature reserve in which the construction of walks is planned so that tourists can explore it while they remain in the port, as well as facilities to make their stay more comfortable. This project would be carried out through a public-private alliance, stated the president of Empornac.
President Bernardo Arévalo expressed his satisfaction with the work and assured that the maintenance and construction of new areas within the Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla are of utmost importance to promote tourism, trade and the port and competitive capabilities that Guatemala can offer to other countries.