APM Terminals opens new container terminal in Tangier

APM Terminals Tangier, S.A. and the Akwa Group, a Casablanca, Morocco-based partner, have announced the opening of Morocco's newest container terminal to serve the global trade in Morocco and the Western Mediterranean market.

Strategically-located on one of the world's most important shipping arteries, the terminal will offer importers and exporters a new gateway to world markets.

Over 200 vessels a day pass through the Straits of Gibraltar as they transit on north-south and east-west liner trade routes. Shipping lines will benefit from Tangier's direct access to the main shipping lane, a deepwater port capable of handling the largest container ships in the world with the newest, most advanced container handling equipment and APM Terminals global best operational practices.

Kim Fejfer, CEO, APM Terminals International, based in The Hague, Netherlands, stated, "Our vision is to offer our customers more options and solutions in the Straits of Gibraltar giving them a competitive edge in world markets. The new terminal expands our global terminal portfolio in one of the world's most important shipping lanes." Martin Poulsen, Vice President, APM Terminals Europe Region, based in Rotterdam stated, 'Morocco's proximity to Europe's 400 million consumer market will create a new gateway to trade." Etienne Rocher, Managing Director, APM Terminals Tangier, added, "We have worked closely with the Government of Morocco through the Tangier Mediterranean Special Agency (TMSA) established in order to secure interest from the world's leading operators and fast track Tanger-Med's overall project timeline and with our partner, the Akwa Group to build and deliver on time this new container terminal." < Korea Shipping Gazette >