Algeciras Port Takes Lead in the Med

A USD 73 million investment to upgrade four existing cranes, along with other infrastructure improvements to APM Terminals Algeciras, has helped to make Spain’s largest container port the busiest on the Mediterranean Sea, with an overall throughput of 4.33 million TEUs, representing an increase of 6.6% over the 2012 annual volume.

 
APM Terminals Algeciras, the busiest terminal (by equity share) in the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, handled 3.29 million TEUs last year, accounting for 76% of the port’s container throughput, enabling Algeciras to overtake rival Spanish port Valencia as the top container port in the Mediterranean.

The majority of APM Terminals Algeciras’ volume was transshipment cargo for Africa and Latin America.

Four new cranes were delivered last month to APM Terminals Algeciras by Chinese manufacturer, ZMPC.

“Our ongoing program of improvements aims to set the standard for operations, safety, sustainability and community outreach,” said APM Terminals Algeciras Managing Director, Javier Lancha.

The terminal, which opened in 1986, now generates approximately 3,000 jobs directly, including 300 office staff and 1900 stevedores handling +40 vessel calls per week.

300 new stevedore jobs were recently added to handle the growth in business. Shipping line customers include Maersk Line, CMA-CGM, DAL, Mediterranean Shipping, Mitsui-OSK and United Arab Shipping Line – which also has six 18,000 TEU capacity vessels on order.

The terminal has also introduced 102 new, advanced fuel-efficient trucks that reduce diesel consumption by 12% while reducing CO2 emissions by 12%. The trucks are from Dutch-based Terberg, with safety features including software which permits only designated, approved personnel to operate the vehicles.

APM Terminals Algeciras’ safety performance Lost-Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) rate improved to 4.59 per million man-hours worked in 2013, down from 5.85 in 2012, and representing a 62.8% decline from the 2010 LTIF rate of 12.35.

“Equally important, we are proud to have led the discussions with government leaders in Andalucia and the Spanish Ministry of Development to make our Algeciras stevedore labor partners officially recognized through a professional certification process in Spain, effective 14 May 2014.

Previously there was no national certification process. This is a first in Spain which APM Terminals Algeciras delivered to improve the lives and professional stature of our stevedores,” added Mr. Lancha.

A recent study by the University of Cadiz identified 15% of the total jobs in Algeciras Bay are related to the port business.