SIMIC

MAERSK-OWNED port and terminal operator APM Terminals has announced the start of works on stage 3A of the Multipurpose North Terminal Modernization Project in the Peruvian port.

The US$95 million, 100 per cent private investment, exceeds contractual commitments in the addendum by almost 40 per cent.



Stage 3A of the project is expected to be completed in the next year and includes the construction of a battery of 12 vertical silos for clean grains, which is anticipated to increase capacity from 25,000 to 85,000 tonnes, reports Greece's Container News.



APM Terminals will also proceed with the acquisition and installation of two continuous free-flow solid grain unloaders, which will improve unloading productivity. APM Terminals Callao handles 73 per cent of the wheat, 54 per cent of the corn and one hundred per cent of the barley arriving in Peru.



Additionally, there are plans for the construction of 21,300 square metres of paved areas, while significant improvements at the access gate for general cargo will also be carried out.



Once the terminal reaches an annual 1.1 million TEU, stage 3B will begin with an investment of $328 million. APM Terminals Callao will, however, seek to invest $500 million, thus exceeding its contractual obligation in the addendum by 50 per cent.



Stage 3B is expected to benefit both general and containerised cargo customers, through the addition of a new 440-metre fully equipped container berth and dredging works that will facilitate container vessels up to 400 metres long with a draft of 16 metres.



Moreover, the acquisition of four ship-to-shore super post panamax gantry cranes, 12 electric rubber tyred gantry cranes (eRTGs) and 33 terminal trucks will increase capacity at the port to handle more than 2.8 million TEU, more than doubling existing capacity.