APM Terminals officially takes control over the container terminal at the port of Gothenburg today. The terminal operating company, Skandia Container Terminal AB, has been renamed APM Terminals Gothenburg AB to capitalize on the worldwide recognition of the APM Terminals Global Port, Terminal and Inland Services Network.
The facility is Scandinavia’s largest container terminal and handles about 800,000 containers per year, approximately 60% of Sweden’s total container traffic, while serving as a key gateway for Swedish and Norwegian inland points. To commemorate the transition, new signs were posted at the terminal and the APM Terminals flag will be displayed.
The agreement with APM Terminals was signed in October 2011 and formal approval was granted by the Swedish Competition Authority in December. The Port of Gothenburg, which will continue to own the land, quays and buildings awarded a 25-year concession agreement to APM Terminals for the deep-water facility’s management and operations, and calls for significant investment in terminal and equipment upgrades, including three new super-post Panamax cranes to handle the largest vessels entering into service. Gothenburg is served by 24 daily rail services to commercial and industrial centers in Sweden and neighboring Norway.
Kim Fejfer, CEO of APM Terminals , stated “ We are very impressed with the Port of Gothenburg’s privatization efforts for the port, and with the Skandia Container Terminal’s transition plan, and look forward to working closely with them to help make Gothenburg one of Scandinavia’s, and Northern Europe’s leading container hubs. ”
With world headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, APM Terminals is the world’s leading port and inland operator with interests in 63 container terminals in 36 countries and local Inland Services operations in over 150 locations in 46 countries.
On February 17, Keld Pedersen takes over as Managing Director of APM Terminals Gothenburg AB as the present CEO, Sven Porelius leaves the company. Keld Pedersen was born in Denmark and has extensive experience in terminal operations around the world. Most recently, he was chief operating officer at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, one of the world’s fastest growing ports over the past five years.
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Dredging Today Staff, January 4, 2012; Image: APM Terminals