The port authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) has put out a tender for the construction of a third container terminal alongside those operated by APM Terminals and TTIA Algeciras, reflecting its growing popularity as an import-export hub serving southern Europe.
Contenders have until 30 November to present their proposals, which must include solutions for automation of the facility.
According to unconfirmed rumours a likely candidate to take the concession is newly-formed Cosco Shipping Ports Ltd which represents the joint port activities of the merged Chinese carriers Cosco and China Shipping Group.
If this proves to be the case, it should create stronger competition on Asia services into Algeciras which will play in favour of exporters of fruits and vegetables and other perishables from Spain.
The announcement comes along with the news that the French shipping company CMA CGM is revamping the Med Gulf Ecuador (MGE) service which becomes the Med Americas direct service, connecting the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Mexican Gulf and West Coast South America.
The company is including five new ports of call and dedicating 11 vessels to the route. The new service will have a special focus on the reefer market from Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia to the Mediterranean area and features shorter transit times.
Agro Merchants Group, which acquired coldstore terminal Gestión Frío Algeciras (GFA) in 2013, welcomed the new services and investment opportunities at the port.
GFA managing director Javier Rueda said: “We are very pleased to see other significant stakeholders to the Iberian and Mediterranean cold chain, CMA CGM and the Port Authorities of the Bay of Algeciras committing to further enhancing the benefits to our customers through opportunities for investment and service developments.”
Agro Merchants is currently finalising an expansion in GFA, which will add 13,287 pallet spaces to the facility, two new frozen chambers and five dual-temperature chambers. The company said the investment reflected strong demand for modern facilities, upgraded IT systems and a larger capacity to handle the increasing amount of import and export of fresh, chilled and frozen products.
Agro Merchants Group owns and operates 53 facilities in eight countries across North America, Latin America and Europe, with more than 700,000m2 of coldstorage.
