Turkey: Official Expects Introduction of Larger Vessels into Mediterranean Trades

Addressing the 4th Annual Med Freight Conference, APM Terminals Director of Port Investments for Europe and the Mediterranean, John Trenchard cited both long-term demographic trends and the expected introduction of larger vessels into regional Mediterranean trades as driving factors of port development and expansion in the Mediterranean.

“Shipping lines are looking to increase the size of ships calling the Turkish Market which is a natural candidate for tonnage cascaded out of the Asia-Europe services” advised Mr. Trenchard, who also noted that the latest generation of Ultra-Large Container Ships, up to and including the 18,000 TEU capacity vessels, will be likely committed to the Europe/Far East trade lane, which transits the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. The first of these vessels on order are scheduled to enter into service in 2013.

“Port design will have to reflect advances in vessel design and their new operational requirements” he noted, speaking on the subject of “Building Stability and Promoting Growth in the Mediterranean” presenting the perspective of a terminal operating company.

APM Terminals is one of the leading terminal operating companies in the Mediterranean region with interests and operations in facilities in the ports of Algeciras, Spain; Port Said, Egypt; and Gioia Tauro, Italy in the Mediterranean Sea, and Poti, Georgia on the Black Sea, as well as just outside the Straits of Gibraltar on the North African coast at the Tanger-Med port complex in Morocco. A new terminal is also currently in development at the Port of Vado, Italy.

By 2014, over 260 container vessels of 10,000 TEU capacity or greater will have been added to the global container fleet, requiring new access and productivity improvements from container terminals and ports, Mr. Trenchard reported, adding that to date, every new ULCS has been deployed in the Europe/Far East trade lane. Vessels currently plying that route will be reassigned (or “cascaded”) into vessel strings currently served by smaller ships.

While Southern Europe has been projected for slower container growth rates, North Africa and Turkey in particular are forecast for potential for “exciting” growth. “Turkey has some very good ports serving a rapidly expanding economy, and the challenge here will be to develop world class operations”, said Trenchard.

About APM Terminals

– providing the port and inland infrastructure to drive global commerce

APM Terminals is taking a leading role in addressing the critical issues facing the transportation industry. With our customers and business partners, the company has designed the world’s most comprehensive port and inland network to meet the shipping community’s needs today, tomorrow and in the future. With more than 60 ports and 132 inland facilities in 63 countries – the goal is to offer the market more solutions than ever before to help companies and countries achieve their ambitions.

[mappress]

Source: apmterminals, November 4, 2011;