APM Terminals and the Port Authority of Dunkirk (PAD) have announced the transfer of 61% of the shares in Dunkirk container terminal operation Nord France Terminal International O.U. (NFTIou) from PAD to APM Terminals.The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.PAD will remain a 9% shareholder of NFTIou. Interferry-Boats (IFB), a subsidiary of the Belgian Railways, is finalising a deal with Terminal Link, CMA CGM Group.The new joint venture gives APM Terminals the majority ownership and operational management of the Dunkirk container terminal until the year 2034.NFTIou is connected to all major trade routes and specialises in the refrigerated cargo business.In 2005, NFTI handled about 205,000 TEU. Major customers include CMA-CGM and Maersk Line.Located in Northern France, the Dunkirk container terminal is well positioned to serve the French container market with rail, road and waterway connections – and the UK market thanks to the geographical location across the English Channel.The location offers expansion opportunities and close proximity to distribution centres serving the French and Western European market.APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer said: “Dunkirk offers our customers a competitive edge with its favourable location between Paris, London and Brussels, access to a market of 100 million consumers, excellent port labour and management as well as deepwater draft.”