APM Terminals Global Terminal Network expands, improves throughput and safety in 2013
APM Terminals’ container throughput increased to 36.3 million TEUs, as measured by equity share, reflecting an overall 3% growth in volume through the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network in 2013. Invested capital rose to $6.1 billion USD during the past year as work on seven new terminals and expansion and upgrades to 16 operating facilities continues, with a Return on Invested Capital of 13.5%, the Company said in a press release.
Major portfolio activities for APM Terminals in 2013 included the opening of the 1.2 million TEU annual throughput capacity Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) at the Port of Santos, Brazil, in which APM Terminals holds a 50% share, and the acquisition of Russian terminal operator NCC Group Ltd. by Global Ports Investments PLC, in which APM Terminals has a 30.75% co-controlling share. Santos is the busiest container port in South America. Global Ports’ five Russian terminals now represent a combined 3.6 million TEUs of annual capacity, and approximately 40% of total Russian container throughput.
“We are making good progress toward our goal of becoming the recognized industry leader, and we will continue to invest in infrastructure in underserved and high-growth markets to provide the services our customers require as global trade continues to expand” stated APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected global economic output to increase by 3.7% in 2014, with emerging and developing markets to grow by 5.1%. World trade in goods and services has been forecast to increase by 4.5% in 2014, and 5.2% in 2015, with emerging and developing markets again leading growth with imports of goods and services rising by 5.9% and 6.5% in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
New terminal projects secured by APM Terminals in 2013 included a new 1.5 million TEU annual throughput capacity deep-water terminal near Izmir, Turkey, and a second container terminal at the Port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast with an annual throughput capacity of 2 million TEUs.
Five facilities within the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network were cited among the world’s Top 10 most productive terminals for the first half of 2013 in a study on crane moves per hour with vessels in port conducted by the JOC Group, while safety performance improved by 28% as the Lost-Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) rate was reduced to 1.81 per million man-hours worked from 2.53 in 2012.
APM Terminals is the world’s leading port and inland operator with 55 operating port facilities in 36 countries and providing Inland Services operations in over 150 locations in 46 countries. APM Terminals operates a Global Terminal Network which includes 20,300 employees in 68 countries with interests in 74 port and terminal facilities and 166 Inland Services operations. The company provides port management and terminal operations to over 60 liner shipping and port customers, and a wide range of local inland transportation and cargo services around the world performing a central role in global trade and logistics.