In 1995, the first export of the mineral took place. A milestone that has since unified the mining, railroad and port operations and logistics to contribute significantly to the economic, social and industrial development of the country.
Ciénaga, July 28, 2025
This July, Drummond Ltd.’s port operation celebrates three decades since its first export, recalling the first shipment that transported coal from the port of Ciénaga, Magdalena, to international markets.
In its first export, the vessel Eden sailed with 133,148.25 tons of coal bound for Rotterdam, Netherlands. With this operation, the company began a history of sustained exports that have contributed to position Colombia as a key player in the global energy market.
Today, Drummond continues to consolidate its position as a leading exporter, ranking among the top 10 companies in the country, and fulfilling the vision and honoring the business legacy of Garry Drummond and his family, who since 1987 have been committed to the sustainable development of the country, Cesar and Magdalena.
Since its inception until the end of 2024, it has exported a total of 617.6 million tons of coal, strengthening the value chain of the mining-energy sector in Colombia.
An environmentally sustainable and operationally safe project
Making the coal export operation compatible with the care and protection of the environmental and social surroundings where it’s development has always been one of the main objectives of the Company’s work at Puerto Drummond.
Air quality management and efficient use of water resources, biodiversity protection, beach maintenance and clean up, and integrated waste management.
We also prioritize environmental training and outreach to employees and contractors, as well as environmental awareness campaigns in schools and the development of social benefit projects for neighboring communities, among other actions. In addition, the company has voluntarily adhered to international environmental standards, the commitment to national and global carbon neutrality goals, and the ISO 14001 certification of the Environmental Management System.
The safety of your employees and contractors is also an essential factor. Operational discipline reinforces the daily safety-awareness culture of risk management, industrial practices and safe actions that lead to a sustainable operation and the goal of zero accidents. From this point of view, the port operation has a record of 6 years with no lost- time accidents.
As emphasized by José Miguel Linares, president of Drummond Ltd. Colombia: “It’s not just about increasing our efficiency and competitiveness. All resources at Drummond are focused primarily on living in a safe and accident-free work environment, with adequate environmental management, including the control and improvement of air quality and the protection of water and fauna in the area.
The company’s president also highlights the talent behind the operation: “The human, technical and financial efforts are proof of our willingness to self-regulate in order to have a safe and sustainable performance aimed at meeting operational standards for the benefit of the region, employees and their families.”
The talent that drives the port operation, who is behind our coal exports?
The implementation of technology, machinery, equipment, systems and processes has contributed to an organized and safe operation, which is further strengthened and consolidated with each of the employees that make up the company.
An interdisciplinary, dedicated and proactive team that connects with the operation in Cesar, from where the mineral is extracted, to Magdalena, from where Colombian coal is finally exported to the world, has made this possible.
An example of this is employee Carlos José Villarrol Carreño, who remembers the first coal export: “In March 1995, the ship loading and unloading company, where I was working at the time, notified me that we would be traveling to Ciénaga, Magdalena, because a company was starting operations. We went to organize the logistics to load the ships, and that is when I arrived at Puerto Drummond. In July, we finally made the first shipment with the Mr. Bert crane, which I operated that day.”
Villarrol, the current operations supervisor, recalls how in 1996 the company finished acquiring all the marine equipment, including the tugboats El Cid and Ciénaga, along with the Colombia 1 and Colombia 2 cranes, and took over operations directly: “Because of my knowledge I was offered to work at Puerto Drummond and so I started a new stage as a marine crane operator and instructor. Then, I was promoted to the position of supervisor, and once direct loading began in 2014 I was transferred to shore operations, the position which I know hold.”
As Carlos himself reflects, this company has provided him with great opportunities: “Our high safety standards and ongoing training make us leaders in safety, both inside and outside the company. This has become a safe way of life, without taking any shortcuts. Drummond opens doors wherever you go, and it’s no secret that it’s a company where thousands of people would like to work.”
Drummond Ltd. remains committed to the development of the country and to a mining operation that is efficient, safe and aligned with the needs of a changing world, using fossil fuels as leverage for the economic diversification of regions and the development of renewable energy sources, while maintaining a focus on the well-being of communities.
