Modern port infrastructure is an essential component of economic and social development, particularly in economically emerging markets and countries, however current global port and cargo transport infrastructure requires modernisation.
At current projected annual growth rates, within six years global container throughput will be approach 1 billion TEUs (20 foot equivalent units), doubling the global throughput of 2007.
A significant percentage of the current largest vessels in service require crane and quay upgrades, and as older vessels cascade downward to smaller markets, these too will require infrastructure upgrades to accommodate larger vessels in Africa, Latin America, South Asia and even North America.
Countries have acknowledged that infrastructure investment is a key factor of economic growth and social progress. For many economies, given the significant investment needs over the coming years, facilitating increased private financing and provision of infrastructure will be very important.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are an effective and proven model of financing required port infrastructure investment, and APM Terminals, a global leader in port development and operations, with a proven track record in successful PPPs, has been investing in infrastructure in both developed and developing countries.
APM Terminals is a successful participant in several important PPP port investments, including:
- Apapa, Nigeria, where throughput has tripled since APM Terminals’ involvement
- Nhava Sheva, (Mumbai) India, where APM Terminals Mumbai has become India’s busiest, and most productive container terminal
- Izmir, Turkey, where a new deepwater facility will be able to service the largest vessels of any Turkish port.
In 2012, as part of the government of Mexico’s plans to double port capacity over the next six years to meet anticipated trade growth, particularly on the transpacific trade lane, APM Terminals signed a 32-year concession contract with the Port Authority of the Port of Lazaro Cardenas (APILAC) for the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a new specialised container terminal at the port, as part of a US$900 million investment.
When operational in 2016, the terminal will offer a total area of 102 hectares, with 1,485 metres of quay, and water depth along the channel and quay of 16.5 metres. The terminal design reflects the company’s focus on safety and sustainability, operating under the most stringent occupational safety standards. The container handling equipment under consideration is eco-friendly, featuring the latest developments in energy efficiency to reduce emissions.
APM Terminals
APM Terminals is lifting global trade with a Global Terminal Network of 20,600 professionals, with interests in 64 current port and terminal operations, and 135 local inland services operations, in 58 countries around the globe. The company designs, builds and operates ports and inland services. The world’s leading brands and shipping lines rely on APM Terminals to ensure their supply chains and global network succeed in all markets.
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