APM Terminals to manage Sweden’s largest container terminal
APM Terminals has announced it has been awarded a contract to manage Sweden’s Skandia Container Terminal at the Port of Gothenburg. The decision reflects the port’s review of APM Terminals‘ bid submitted on September 7, 2011 to manage the port for the next 25 years.
APM Terminals will invest over $115m in the first five years of operation to make the port more competitive as a North Europe freight hub for the Nordic markets. Most of the investment will target infrastructure improvements.
In the last two years, the Port of Gothenburg has prepared its Ro/Ro, car and container terminals for privatisation by incorporating them as separate concession holders, believing that private ownership of these terminals will give a new impulse to investment, competitiveness and cargo volumes.
"We are delighted that APM Terminals has been selected for this important national container terminal by the leaders of the Port of Gothenburg. It underlines the value our port expertise delivers to governments and customers whose focus is on meeting their national and commercial objectives. Projects like this enable us to grow national and regional economies. It is our experience that for a public-private partnership to be successful, the skills and commitment of the government is crucial. Throughout the bid process, we have been impressed by the Gothenburg Port Authority’s clarity of objectives and effective approach to achieve them. We will build on the port’s current strengths of location and deep water, introducing our core expertise in world-class operational excellence and safety, improving productivity levels and developing new solutions that attract more business," stated Martin Poulsen, CEO of APM Terminals Europe Region, based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
The deal is subject to approval from the Swedish Competition Authorities. The planned transfer of management and operations would be first quarter 2012.
Quelle: eyefortransport
Portal: www.logistik-express.com