APM Terminals signs Peru port deal

APM Terminals signs Peru port deal    APM Terminals has entered into a 30-year concession contract for the development and operation of Terminal Muelle Nore at the Port of Callao, Peru.
   The deal was signed Thursday by Peru’s President Alan Garcia and representatives of APMT and local partner Central Portu'ria S.A.C. in the Presidential Palace in Peru's Capital City of Lima.
   'Our vision is to transform Terminal Muelle Norte into a powerful economic generator for the people of Peru and to develop a world-class full-service port and infrastructure on the West Coast of South America,' said Henrik Lundgaard Pedersen, APMT’s vice president for business development, Americas.
   On April 1 the Peru government named APM Terminals Callao the winning bidder in a process that also attracted submissions from Hutchison Port Holdings. Terms of the concession include the investment of $749 million to update and expand the existing facility into a modern multipurpose terminal serving ship carrying bulk, containerized, breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo as well as cruise ships.
   APMT said it has filled key management positions and is in the process of hiring administrative and operations staff as well as executing contracts with suppliers. Orders have been placed for new forklifts and reach stackers, and the company said it would be ready to take over operations by July.
   Planned improvements include the construction of a new grain silo, construction of new berths and the expansion of container-handling capabilities including new post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes and rubber-tire gantry cranes.
   When built to full capacity, Terminal Muelle Norte will employ about 1,500 personnel and will be able to handle 2.9 million TEUs and 9.9 million tons of non-containerized cargo annually.
   APMT also operates local cargo inland services company Almacenes de Contenedores Sudamerica (ALCONSA) in Peru, with locations in Callao and Paita.