Europe Container Terminals signs deal with Asian carrier group

Europe Container Terminals has signed, after a lengthy period of negotiation, a deal with giant liner group CKYH (Cosco Pacific, K Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin). The memorandum of understanding sets the stage for what ECT called “long-term cooperation at the Euromax site - the most modern container terminal in the world - on Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte”. The MoU also paves the way for a joint venture between the parties at what its developers claim will be one of the most important hubs in Europe, which all the shipping companies in the alliance will be using. CKYH with this deal has secured handling capacity for the growing cargo flows in Rotterdam. “The Euromax Terminal has been designed as a ‘high performance’ terminal and can be considered to be part of the latest generation of automated terminals,” ECT said. In its first phase, the Euromax Terminal will have a capacity of 2.3 million teu. In its last phase (Maasvlakte 2), the total capacity will ultimately amount to 5.6 million teu. Jan Westerhoud, President of ECT, said: “ECT and the CKYH Lines - each line individually as well as in its capacity as a member of CKYH - have a long lasting and mutually beneficial working relationship. We are very happy to offer CKYH capacity in the short and long term at our new container terminal under construction at the Euromax site on Maasvlakte 1 and 2.”