EUROPE

Valencia woos China Shipping and MSC

22 years ago

China Shipping is reportedly evaluating Malta Freeport against Valencia as the hub where it will deploy its new fleet of 8,100TEU vessels. In July 2002, the carrier agreed with Malta that it would use facilities there to tranship boxes between its Asia, Mediterranean and East Coast US services. However, a switch to Valencia might be on the cards given the increasing importance of the port for imports of Chinese goods.

China Shipping initially deployed 5,500TEU vessels on its Far East-North Europe service which called solely at Valencia.

However, restructuring has seen vessel size reduced to 4,500TEUs, with the line eschewing the possibility of calling at the main Maritima Valencia terminal in favour of the smaller TCV facility.

MSC is said to be considering automating its new Fangos Terminal at Valencia which should be operational by the end of next year. However this would affect only yard stacking duties. The ?120m cost of the project would be increased by a further 10% should this go ahead. A subsidiary, Europe Terminal, will manage the facility which will be capable of accommodating two vessels simultaneously. The line intends to deploy its 8,100TEU and 8,400TEU vessels, currently under construction in Korea, at the terminal.