APMT Moin powers ahead with CH2MHill

The Costa Rica managing director said: “Some people think that Moin is not going ahead, but the rumours are not true. Today, we signed with CH2MHill and we are proud to have them on board.”

American engineering, construction, and operations provider CH2MHill made the headlines recently for its acquisition of UK-based consultant Halcrow for $124m.

Maintaining that Costa Rica’s ports are currently closed for business 10% of the time through strikes, bad weather and public holidays, Capt Gallie said: “That is not going to happen in the future.

“Some of the region’s ports are 20 years behind the curve and they are paying the price. Freight rates from Costa Rica are some of the highest in the region and that’s due to inefficiency.”

To improve efficiency, APM Terminals is ploughing some $992m into Moin, including $124m on the construction of a breakwater, $192m for dredging of 500,000 m3, and $344m on equipment.

“What we need to do in Latin America is bring the infrastructure up to date,” said Capt Gallie. “The ships that are going to cascade are still big ships, so the equipment and civil engineering is still important in the region.”