A merger has been agreed between Speter SpA in La Spezia, Italy and La Spezia Container Terminal SpA (LSCT), part of the Contship Italia Group.
Speter, the main multipurpose terminal operating in La Spezia on Garibaldi pier, Calata Paita, Malaspina and Artom pier, has been a break bulk terminal since 1968. It mainly handles forest and mineral products, zirconium, silicon iron, clay, cement, steel and iron products, coils, lead, copper, sheets of zinc.
“There are important synergies to be achieved and to strengthen the competitiveness of La Spezia port,” said Cecilia Eckelmann Battistello, president of the Contship Italia Group.
“In a period which reflects strong concentration on the handling demand side. The offer of handling and stevedoring services has to provide tailored solutions to compete on the global arena and guarantee the expected return of investment.”
Contship Group acquired, 45% of the Speter company shares back in 2010 and the merger means that Speter can now rely upon Contship know-how and financial security even further. In 2013 La Spezia container Terminal turnover was in excess of €106m.
Speter meanwhile has been achieving positive results which foster growing expectations in the general cargo and break bulk handling business. For the container business, the general trend shows a growing share of containerised cargo. The company holds a concession of about 1.4km quays and 120,0002m of yards in the Port of La Spezia including covered warehouses in excess of 15,0002m.
Recent positive results are a consequence of the ongoing programme of investments in organisation, IT and handling equipment, including two recently purchased 100 tonne mobile cranes.
In 2013 Speter handled in excess of 630,000 tonnes and 127,000 teu, turnover was €19.6m.
