Lloyd recognises APM Terminals for investing in port infrastructure development

In recognition of its outstanding investment in port infrastructure development, which drives economic and social change in the Americas and improves surrounding environments, Lloyd’s List has given APM Terminals the ‘Port Infrastructure Development of the Year’ award.

APM Terminals, which is one of the leading terminal operators in Nigeria and owed terminals in different countries of the world, received the award last week at the 2018 Lloyd’s List Americas Awards.

In 2017, APM Terminals made substantial infrastructure investments throughout the Americas, which helped support trade growth, workplace safety and discharging of larger vessels.

Before the award, the judges were said to have looked at proven examples of innovation, efficiency and profitability of infrastructural investments.

A statement issued by the company stated that special attention was given to projects that improve the living standards of local populations through access to employment opportunities, business opportunities and trade.

The statement further stated that in April 2017, APM Terminals opened the most advanced container terminal in Latin America, APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas, a semi-automated deep-water facility that represents an investment of $900 million, with an annual throughput capacity of 1.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

The terminal, which just marked one year anniversary in April 2018, has a phase I of the construction that included 750 meters of quay, which can accommodate two 350-metre vessels of up to 15,000 TEU capacities simultaneously.

The terminal is equipped with five Super-Post Panamax Cranes with a 23-container reach and on-dock rail access. It is directly linked to the national rail systems of Mexico and the USA for efficient and environmentally friendly inter-modal inland container movements. The terminal handled 345,000 TEUs in 2017.

“This was part of more than $1 billion worth of investment in the Americas in 2017, which will continue to support local economies and international trade for many years to come,” said Mogens Larson, head, APM Terminals Latin America Portfolio.

He said: “Our investment in the Americas has not only made these terminals some of the most environmental friendly in the world, but also the most efficient.”

In June, APM Terminals Mobile, Alabama also completed a 20-acre expansion, and took delivery of two new Super Post-Panamax STS cranes. The cranes represent an investment of $13 million each and can accommodate vessels of up to 14,000 TEU capacities.

The completion of the $47.5 million Phase II project has increased APM Terminals Mobile’s annual throughput capacity to 500,000 TEUs, and has been instrumental in the selection of Alabama by the Wal-Mart Corporation for the construction of a new regional distribution center, 15 miles from the port which will open this year. The terminal handled 313,000 TEUs in 2017.

In Callao, APM Terminals took delivery of $10 million worth of new general cargo handling equipment at Peru’s busiest port, which handles 70 percent of all Peru’s general cargo shipments.

The first equipment delivery, in June 2017 included eight scoops for dry bulk cargo unloading; six hydraulic hoppers; three excavators; two front loaders; six skit steers and 10 forklifts.

The second delivery included three Eco Hoppers, the first of their kind in Peru, which will increase productivity, and enable the handling of very dusty products in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“Able to capture and extract the dust generated during cargo handling, the Eco Hoppers also provide a safe and clean work environment. The facility handled 963,000 TEUs in 2017, along with 5.8 million metric tons of bulk cargo.”

AMAKA ANAGOR