Port expansion project completed on schedule
Ramping up operations
MOROCCO: APM Terminals is ramping up operations for 2025 by celebrating the last part of its two million TEU-expansion in MedPort Tangier, which went into operation this month. With this expansion, the terminal now has a total capacity of 5.2 million TEUs annually and two kilometres of berth length. This has been part of a three-year project that was delivered on schedule.
The two terminals APM Terminals operates in Morocco serve as hub-ports which function as the backbone of the Gemini Cooperation — Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's operational collaboration covering East-West trade routes.
“Our main asset is our diverse, engaged and dedicated workforce. They serve as some of the best problem-solvers in the industry and are constantly working to deliver the best product possible to our customers.”
These developments in Tangier also mean that the terminal has welcomed 500 new colleagues during 2023 and 2024. “Our main asset is our diverse, engaged and dedicated workforce. They serve as some of the best problem-solvers in the industry and are constantly working to deliver the best product possible to our customers,” added Keld Pedersen, Managing Director at APM Terminals West Med.
This final stage of the expansion at MedPort Tangier will serve to maintain its position as one of the most technologically advanced, efficient and safe container terminals in the world. This includes using an auto mooring system for vessel berthing, digital berth planning and the specially developed Gemini simulation tool.
This year, an analysis by the World Bank and S&P Global ranked the port of Tangier the 4th most efficient container terminal in the world.
“The expansion not only gives us more capacity — it is also brings with it advanced technology that helps us reduce port hours, improve the productivity of our cranes and reduce direct emissions from vessels by using shore-power deployed by the port authority. This is not only important for our global strategy, but also for the impact we can create for both customers and the communities and employees in and around the terminal,” stated Pedersen.
“Almost exactly a year ago, the second phase of our expansion went live — this month we have added an additional 1 million TEU to our capacity here in Tangier, which means that we are top-tuned to deliver for Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, when the new network will be phased in from February 2025.”
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