Expanding in Colombia

In the presence of numerous customers and business partners, Colombia’s Transport Minister, German Cardona, and Karl Gernandt, Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, inaugurated Kuehne + Nagel’s new logistics facility inside Contecar Port. The new infrastructure underlines Kuehne + Nagel’s growth strategy in Colombia.

Located inside Cartagena’s Contecar port and built in just 12 months, the new logistics and distribution center provides 10,000 sqm warehouse space and 11,000 pallet positions at full capacity. The facility complies with strictest security and environmental requirements and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It enables Kuehne + Nagel to expand its contract logistics footprint in Colombia and to offer its regional and global customers an extended service portfolio. The new site – with the option to enlarge warehouse space to 20,000 sqm in a next construction phase – will serve as regional hub for the  Kuehne + Nagel Group in South America.

Contecar, a 90 hectare private port facility located near the harbour entrance and industrial zone, is currently being upgraded for the handling of 12,000 TEU ships by 2013. As a result of the investment programme, the port is able to significantly participate in the growth, generated by the Panama Canal expansion, expected to be finalised in 2014, one hundred years after the canal’s opening. 

At this strategic location, Kuehne + Nagel will support its customers in optimising costs and processes along their supply chains. The consolidation of seafreight consignments, for instance, allows for shorter transit times to several destinations. 

“With this new logistics facility in Cartagena, we have realised a further major step in our strategy to strengthen our activities in Colombia,” said Karl Gernandt, Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG at the opening ceremony. “Our operations in combination with the port’s efficiency will strongly support Cartagena’s vision of becoming an important global logistics hub by providing integrated logistics solutions as well as delivering cutting-edge logistics engineering, technology and management.”

Since Kuehne + Nagel’s wholly owned subsidiary in Colombia was founded in 1988, it has strongly been involved in Colombia’s logistics development. Today, the national network consists of 8 branches across the country and is operated by 475 employees. In the scope of its growth programme, in January 2011, Kuehne + Nagel has acquired two successful Colombian companies, Translago S.A.S. and Agencia de Aduanas Excelsia Ltda., specialised in perishables logistics. Through the integration of the two companies Kuehne + Nagel considerably strengthened its position in the South American perishables logistics segment.  

About Kuehne + Nagel
With over 60,000 employees at 900 locations in over 100 countries, the Kuehne + Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics companies. Its strong market position lies in the seafreight, airfreight, contract logistics and overland businesses, with a clear focus on providing IT-based lead logistics solutions. 

For further information please visit www.kuehne-nagel.com 

Corporate Communications
Kuehne + Nagel International AG
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Inquiries
Inge Lauble-Meffert
Tel. +41 (0)44 786 96 78
Fax +41 (0)44 786 96 90
Email: inge.lauble@kuehne-nagel.com
Internet: www.kuehne-nagel.com