APMT cements China multi-purpose ambitions
APM Terminals has entered a joint venture with Qingdao’s Donjiakou Port to produce a new multipurpose terminal with two deep water berths.
This venture will continue APM Terminals’ ongoing expansion into the port and terminal operations, helping to meet the needs of China’s fast-growing grain import market.
“China is a crucial centre of global trade and logistics, we are very pleased to advance our multi-port strategy of growth beyond containers in this exciting and fast-growing market,” said Kim Fejfer, CEO of APM terminals.
He added: “We are fully prepared to grow with the grain market in China, and around the world.”
The newly developed terminal at Qingdao’s Donjiakou Port is located on China’s Bohai Rim in the Shandong province of the yellow sea. The port handled a total of 468m metric tonnes and approximately 7m tonnes of grain cargo in 2014.
It is set to become the national hub of Chinese bulk and energy cargo in the future with growth expected to continue in 2015.
The Qingdao Port Dongjiakou multi-purpose terminal, operated by Qingdao Port International and APM Terminals, will cater to the rising demand of grain and other general cargo. This will allow for an improved port logistics service into the hinterland markets.
Francois Delenclos, APM Terminals’ vice president, said: “Worldwide seaborne grain shipments have increased to over 400m tonnes annually according to the World Grain Council.”
“This requires a specialised infrastructure and expertise to keep up with this demand, while helping to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world,” he concluded.
Operations are set to begin at the new multipurpose terminal by early 2016.