After winning a tender last year, APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas has now signed a 32-year concession contract with the Port Authority of the Port of Lazaro Cardenas (APILAC) in Mexico for the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a new specialised container terminal at the port.
APM Terminals will have started construction by September, with the first phase due to be completed in 2015, costing over US$300m. The terminal will undergo a phased expansion in accordance with provisions stipulated in the concession agreement, and the entire project will require an investment of over US$900m.
'This agreement shows our confidence in the future of the Mexican market,' said JD Nielsen, managing director of APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas SA de CV. 'Our investment and expertise will help transform the nation's competitiveness through an efficient, integrated port and inland service network. We look forward to working closely with Mexican leaders and applaud their timing and vision for this vital infrastructure project.'
APM Terminals has signed a design build contract with one of the major contractors in Mexico, Empresas ICA. ICA is also minority shareholder in the concessionaire company.
In phase one, a new 43ha container yard and 650m quay will be built. Additional works will include an administration building, warehouse, gates, and modern on-dock rail facilities to accommodate the growing volumes of intermodal traffic. Once the final phase is completed, the terminal will offer a total area of 102ha, with 1,485m of quay, and water depth along the channel and quay of 16.5m.
