APM Terminals takes over container terminal in Port of Gothenburg, Sweden

“Sweden is a good place to invest”

Today Swedish port history will be written. One of the world's largest container terminal operators, APM Terminals, will take over the Skandia Container Terminal at the Port of Gothenburg. APM Terminals will roll out an investment programme totalling USD 115 million over the next five years.

“The Skandia Container Terminal has an unbeatable geographical location to serve industry throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic Region. Sweden is a major exporting country, has a manufacturing industry and the Swedish economy is growing. “This is a good place to invest,” states Martin Poulsen, CEO APM Terminals Europe Region.

APM Terminals has today acquired the Skandia Container Terminal, the largest container terminal in Scandinavia which has a 25-year concession agreement with the Port of Gothenburg Authority. Last year, the Skandia Container Terminal handled around 800,000 container units (TEU), which is equivalent to around 60 per cent of the Swedish market.

"This is a big day not only for Gothenburg but also for the whole of Swedish industry. With APM Terminals global network and experitise and a willingness to invest, the Port of Gothenburg will consolidate its role as the major international port in Sweden," states Sven Hulterström, Chairman of the Port of Gothenburg.

The background to today's events is that almost two years ago the port was divided into a municipal port authority and three separate terminal companies. The quays, land and infrastructure are still owned by the municipal authority whilst private companies handle the operational side. The container terminal is the third and final terminal to be transferred to an external operator.

Leading terminal operator
APM Terminals is one of the “big four” global container terminal operators and currently has 60 container terminals in 33 countries, of which nine terminals are in Europe. The company is part of the AP Möller-Maersk Group and is a sister company to Maersk Line. However, terminal operations are completely separate and independent from the shipping line.. APM Terminals has all the major container lines as its customers and is run as a separate and independent business and profit centre.

Substantial interest – substantial investments
There was substantial interest and keen competition to take over the Skandia Container Terminal. Virtually all the major global and international terminal showed an interest. In total, 13 bids were received and a handfull were selected for the final round. In the end the clear choice was APM Terminals, submitting a bid which was of an exceptional standard in both qualitative and financial terms.

"APM Terminals shares our vision and has an impressive operational, marketing and investment plan. Their wholehearted investment in Skandia Container Terminal will benefit both the development of the port and the whole of Swedish trade and industry," states Sven Hulterström.

APM Terminals will, among other things, invest in three Super post-Panamax, the world's largest cranes for loading and unloading container vessels. Other investments include expansion of the rail terminal and 10 new straddle carriers (large trucks used at ports to lift containers).

Money for the city will be reinvested in the infrastructure
The deal will generate substantial revenue for the City of Gothenburg.

Sven Hulterström says: "Good use will be made of the money. The City of Gothenburg is facing major investments, particularly related to the infrastucture, but also investments to continue the development of the Port of Gothenburg as the freight hub of Scandinavia.”

As soon as the deal has been approved by the competition authorities, APM Terminals will take over the Skandia Container Terminal, the 450 or so employees and all the company's assets and agreements.

For further information, please contact:
APM Terminals: Martin Poulsen, CEO APM Terminals Europe Region,+31 61 088 3968
APM Terminals: Tom Boyd, Director, External Communications,+31 61 272 5696
Port of Gothenburg: Sven Hulterström, Chairman, +46 (0)70-553 62 40
Port of Gothenburg: Lars-Åke Skager, Deputy Chairman, +46 +46 (0)70-521 27 11
Port of Gothenburg: Magnus Kårestedt, CEO, +46 (0)70 5662513
Port of Gothenburg: Cecilia Carlsson, Media Relations Officer, +46 (0)31-731 22 45
Gerd Sjöholm, CEO, Port Operation, +46 (0)70-764  20 00.

Fact file: New structure at the Port of Gothenburg
The Container Terminal is the third and final terminal to be transferred to an external operator. The Gothenburg Car Terminal has been run since April by the logistics company Logent AB. The ro-ro terminal, Älvsborg Ro/Ro, will be operated by DFDS and C. via a joint company as soon as the deal has been approved by the EU competition authorities.

Fact file: APM Terminals
APM Terminals is taking a leading role in addressing the critical issues facing the transportation industry. The company has designed the world’s most comprehensive port and inland network to meet the shipping community’s needs today, tomorrow and in the future. With more than 60 ports and 132 inland facilities in 63 countries – the goal is to offer the market more solutions than ever before to help companies and countries achieve their ambitions. Media can download high resolution photos and more information at www.apmterminals.com

Fact file: Skandia Container Terminal
A separate folder includes detailed information about the Skandia Container Terminal.

Fact file: Port of Gothenburg
One-quarter of all Swedish foreign trade passes through the Port of Gothenburg and 60 per cent of all containers. Some 70 per cent of industry and the population in the Nordic Region are within 500 km of the port. The Port of Gothenburg has the broadest range of routes within and outside Europe.  The Skandia Container Terminal at the Port of Gothenburg is the only terminal in Sweden with the capacity to receive the world's largest container vessels.

A total of 24 rail shuttles with daily departures mean that companies throughout Sweden and Norway have an environmentally wise, direct link to the largest port in the Nordic Region. The Port of Gothenburg has terminals for oil, cars, ro-ro, containers and passengers.