Field work prior to the installation of three scanners in the port of Montevideo began September 12.
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The purchase, carried out through public bidding, was awarded in June, and provides for the performance of the equipment for 10 years.
The devices will provide non-intrusive X-ray inspection services and will allow controlling all types of customs operations, such as transit, reshipment and transshipment.
In June 2023, the Government awarded the tender for the purchase of three scanners for the port of Montevideo, with the aim of expanding the inspection capacity of containers arriving at the main maritime terminal in Uruguay.
With the objective established, the preliminary tasks began this Tuesday, carried out by a multidisciplinary team, which will lead to the installation of the devices.
In statements to the press, the national director of Customs, Jaime Borgiani, reported that the places where the scanners will be placed were defined: two, at the northern access and the remaining one, a transportable piece of equipment, at the Maciel access.
The new equipment will allow expanding the capacity for action in inspection matters, since, with the use of latest generation technology, it will be possible to inspect between 75 and 80% of the total volume of teus (units equivalent to 20 feet, in which the containers) managed by the port.
Every year, more than one million of these containers transit through the port terminal, of which 80% are in transit.
In addition, Customs will make a call to incorporate more than 100 officials. All types of operations will be controlled, such as transit, reboarding and transshipment, he explained.
Borgiani added that the selected company will provide the equipment, maintenance, operations, software and training to workers for 10 years.
The total cost of the acquisition amounts to $40,000,000.
The vice president of the National Port Administration (ANP), Daniel Loureiro, meanwhile, pointed out that, with the national port policy, an attempt is made to implement the role of the port of Montevideo as a regional operations center ( hub ) and main terminal of the Plata basin, a position that will be possible to achieve if security is achieved of the merchandise that transits through the facilities.
The scanners will allow the port of Montevideo to be an “active, thriving, and safe†place, said the leader. ■