APM Terminals Medport Tangier container terminal, a collaboration between Moroccan port TangerMed and Danish shipping major A.P. Moller – Maersk, has officially opened its doors.
With the new facility which has a capacity of 5 million TEUs, Morocco is becoming one of the most important transshipment locations in the world.
The construction of APM Terminals MedPort Tangier — the first automated container terminal in Africa — took two years and a total investment of USD 800 million to make this facility become reality.
The new transshipment terminal is designed, constructed and operated by APM Terminals, and will join the hub facilities servicing Maersk and its partners. Built utilizing the latest technology, the terminal is set to be one of the most efficient and safe in the world, Maersk said.
“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,” Morten H. Engelstoft, Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals commented.
The new facility is expected to support TangerMed Port to increase its annual throughput capacity to nine million TEU’s helping to improve Moroccan connectivity and further support global trade.
Morocco has seen a GDP growth of 4,1% with a positive outlook on the containerized imports and exports which will see significant growth in the years to come. Approximately 200 cargo vessels pass through the Strait of Gibraltar daily on major liner services linking Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa.
With a quay length of 1200 meters, a depth of 16 to 18 meters APM Terminals MedPort Tangier is able to facilitate the ultra large container vessels.
TangerMed Port is already ranked leading African port and is amongst the world’s top 50 container ports worldwide given its location along key trade lanes and the increasing cargo flow to and from Africa.
Image Courtesy: Maersk