Shipping line MSC and cargo-handling operator Terminaux de Normandie (TN) are investing €160 million, (US$212m), on a 50:50 basis through their joint-venture company TNMSC, in a new container terminal at the French port of Le Havre, ifw-net reports.
MSC currently uses the Normandy port’s Bougainville quay, with its traffic handled by TNMSC.
Located in the western zone of Port 2000, the new TNMSC terminal will extend along 1,400 metres of quay and be equipped with four berths.
The project has also attracted €270 million of public funding, which focuses on dredging the access channel to the port and building the quay. TNMSC’s investment concerns the terminal’s buildings and loading/unloading areas. Four gantry cranes will be transferred in from the Bougainville quay.
TNMSC General Manager Christian de Tinguy said the new hub marked a new stage of development for MSC in Le Havre.
“It will enable MSC to have any kind of vessel in its fleet – including 14,000teu ships – calling at the same wharf whatever the time and tide.”
The first of the four berths at the new terminal is expected to open to traffic at the end of January, with the other three entering service by the end of 2012.
MSC, which currently employs 240 staff at the port, has indicated that with the terminal fully in service in 2013, it could increase its services at Le Havre to 12 weekly compared with seven currently.
Two box terminals, equipped with five berths, are already in service at Port 2000. Two are operated by GMP, jointly-owned by DP World and CMA CGM, which is planning to add a third next year. The other terminal is operated by handling group Perrigault in association with AP Møller-Maersk.
A port authority spokesman told IFW: “Following the completion of the TNMSC terminal, Port 2000 will be offering 10 berths and there is the possibility of adding a further two. These would be served by 4,200 metres of quay and offer an annual capacity of 4 million teu.”
MSC currently uses the Normandy port’s Bougainville quay, with its traffic handled by TNMSC.
Located in the western zone of Port 2000, the new TNMSC terminal will extend along 1,400 metres of quay and be equipped with four berths.
The project has also attracted €270 million of public funding, which focuses on dredging the access channel to the port and building the quay. TNMSC’s investment concerns the terminal’s buildings and loading/unloading areas. Four gantry cranes will be transferred in from the Bougainville quay.
TNMSC General Manager Christian de Tinguy said the new hub marked a new stage of development for MSC in Le Havre.
“It will enable MSC to have any kind of vessel in its fleet – including 14,000teu ships – calling at the same wharf whatever the time and tide.”
The first of the four berths at the new terminal is expected to open to traffic at the end of January, with the other three entering service by the end of 2012.
MSC, which currently employs 240 staff at the port, has indicated that with the terminal fully in service in 2013, it could increase its services at Le Havre to 12 weekly compared with seven currently.
Two box terminals, equipped with five berths, are already in service at Port 2000. Two are operated by GMP, jointly-owned by DP World and CMA CGM, which is planning to add a third next year. The other terminal is operated by handling group Perrigault in association with AP Møller-Maersk.
A port authority spokesman told IFW: “Following the completion of the TNMSC terminal, Port 2000 will be offering 10 berths and there is the possibility of adding a further two. These would be served by 4,200 metres of quay and offer an annual capacity of 4 million teu.”