Green light in Costa Rica
APM Terminals Moin signed off by authorities to bolster economy, competitiveness
Press Release: 21 March 2012
”APM Terminals is very pleased with the pace and dedication with which the Costa Rican government has focused on advancing this project. The administration has demonstrated this is a top priority and we intend to follow through on inaugurating the first phase of this project on schedule in 2016” said Paul J. Gallie, Managing Director, APM Terminals Moin, S.A.
The 33-year concession will require an estimated investment of USD $992M from APM Terminals for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the worldclass container terminal in the Caribbean port of Moin, Limon Province, representing the largest single infrastructure project in the country. Currently the Caribbean port handles up to 80% of the country’s international commerce.
“We are a global specialist in terminal development and operation who have built similar projects on schedule, so we’re very confident we can exceed the Costa Rican people’s expectations with this concession. Modern container terminals play a pivotal role in improving the efficiency of the logistics chain which results in a lower door-to-door transportation cost. This will have a key positive impact, especially for the fruit export trade.” assured Gallie.
The overall goal of the project is to develop and provide world-class marine terminal container handling services, increasing the competitiveness of Costa Rica’s international commerce.
Designed as a gateway terminal to handle Costa Rica’s increasing containerised exports and imports, the TCM is ideally located just 10 hours by sea from the Panama Canal and coincides with the Canal expansion to handle the larger vessels cascading into the region. Larger, modern vessels offer economies of scale, environmental efficiencies and additional reefer stowage.
The terminal is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs and stimulate rapid economic development in the entire Caribbean region of the country. Further commercial developments and Free Trade Zone investors, and manufacturers looking for an attractive labor pool as well as low cost logistic distribution points will be attracted to the port hinterland.
TCM project milestones:
• 18 August 2010 -- Bid submitted
• 01 March 2011 -- Concession Award notification
Conditions precedent completed
• 30 August 2011 -- Contract signed with Costa Rican Government
• 21 March 2012 -- Endorsement by Comptroller General
• 18 months Transition period for studies and final design
• Q4 2013 -- Construction Start Order
• Q4 2016 -- Inauguration of first phase
• 2042 -- Estimated date of full build out
In the first phase the TCM will consist of a 40 hectare area of reclaimed land off the Caribbean coast with 600 m of quay, 2 berths, 1.5 km breakwater, 16m deep access channel / 14.5 m alongside and 6 super-post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes. It will be a world-class facility with carbon neutral energy generating sources, electric cranes, environmental management and container scanning systems, safety procedures and expert training of all personnel.
At full build out, the TCM will have an area of 80 hectares with 1,500 m of quay, 5 berths, 2.2 km breakwater, 18 m deep access channel / 16 m alongside and 9 or more super-post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
About APM Terminals – providing the port and inland infrastructure to lift global trade
APM Terminals’ Global Terminal Network of ports and inland services provide the necessary infrastructure and support for the increasing growth of international trade, 90% of which travels by sea. International commerce is an economic growth engine, creating jobs, lifting economies and helping to improve people’s lives around the world. We have one goal: to be the best port operator in the world. Our core expertise is the design, construction, management and operation of ports, terminals and inland services. With world headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, APM Terminals is the world’s leading port and inland operator with 62 port facilities in 36 countries and providing Inland Services operations in over 150 locations in 46 countries.
APM Terminals press release