APMT opens second container terminal in Tangier

   APM Terminals said Thursday that it has opened a second container terminal in Tangier, Morocco, that has the capacity to handle 5 million TEUs.
   MedPort Tangier is part of Morocco’s Tanger Med Port complex, which APMT said has become one of the most important transshipment locations in the world and the leading African port. Lloyd’s List ranked it as the 46th-largest port in its ranking of the top 100 ports.
   APMT, which is part of the Maersk Group, said the transshipment terminal of the semi-automated APM Terminals MedPort Tangier facility took two years and represents a total investment of $800 million.
   Tangier is located on the Strait of Gibraltar, through which 200 cargo ships pass daily, including major liner services linking Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa. With a quay length of 1,200 meters and a draft of 16 to 18 meters, APM Terminals said the new terminal is able to facilitate the largest containerships operating today.
   “APM Terminals has a long-term relationship with Morocco and we are proud to be operating the second container terminal in the Tanger Med Port complex,” said Morten H. Engelstoft, chief executive officer of APM Terminals
   Maersk’s first container terminal at the port is operated through a 30-year concession contract awarded to APMT in 2005.
   Engelstoft said, “MedPort Tangier is a key junction in our global network, allowing us to serve our customers better and further facilitate global trade.”
   Another terminal in Tangier is operated by Eurogate Tanger, a consortia that includes MSC, CMA CGM and ContshipItalia.
      The new APMT terminal means that Tanger Med Port Authority now has terminals able to move nine million TEUs.