APM executive: Capacity upgrades have to match vessel size increases

APM Terminals Chief Operating Officer Peder Sondergaard said this week that time is running out for terminal operators to come to grips with security, capacity and environmental challenges.

Speaking at the TOC Europe conference in Amsterdam, Sondergaard said the main problem is that vessel sizes are expanding yearly, while port capacity upgrades take decades.

We must find ways to improve capacity in existing terminals and at the same time make these terminals safer, more secure and environmentally friendly, he said. Terminals must focus on development of further technology aimed at maximizing capacity utilization, and to focus the design on safety and reducing energy consumption and emissions. Increasingly, our buying decisions will be based on these factors.

APM Terminals had revenue of $2.5 billion in 2007 and has already seen revenue increase by 27 percent for the first quarter of 2008 in comparison with the same period last year, which saw an overall container throughput of 31.4 million TEUs worldwide. 

Source: American Shipper