Switzerland-based container shipping major Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and the Port Authority of Las Palmas (APLP) have ratified a massive investment plan for the Port of Las Palmas in the Canary Islands.
As explained, the objective is to consolidate the port facilities of the Gran Canaria capital as strategically important for maritime traffic with the African West Coast.
Representatives of APLP and MSC met in Geneva this week to analyze the commercial relations that both parties have at this moment in the Port of Las Palmas.
During the meeting, Diego Aponte, President and CEO of MSC, showed his commitment to the immediate development of the project in the port.
What is more, during the meeting, the port authority committed to increasing the competitiveness of the Port of Las Palmas and enhancing its port service offering.
Specifically, MSC would invest in the Operaciones Portuarias Canarias S.A. (OPCSA) container terminal which is wholly owned by Terminal Investments Limited (TIL Group), a subsidiary of MSC.
Among other enhancements, the rearrangement of the accesses to the terminal is planned, which will allow the facility to provide a greater berthing capacity and, therefore, the extension of the services it offers.
Around EUR 9 million (USD 10.05 million) will be allocated for the modernization process which would be implemented over the eight-year span.
Last year, OPCSA became the first terminal on the West African coast to implement the new Navis N4 operating system, moving towards the automation of its operations. With the new system in place, OPCSA outlined three main objectives – to improve the efficiency of local operations, initiate the modernization process and increase productivity of the terminal.
World Maritime News Staff