APM's Suez CT volume up 11pc while canal transits drop 20pc in 2009

APM Terminals' Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) enjoyed an 11 per cent increase in throughput in 2009, despite a 20 per cent drop in transits through the canal in he same period.

The terminal benefited from a better share of eastern Mediterranean transshipments as well as growing its domestic Egyptian market. Regular customers include CKYH alliance carriers Cosco, "K" Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping, as well as CMA CGM and Maersk Line.

SCCT handled 2.7 million TEU in 2009, after growing 34 per cent from 2007 to 2008.

Brightening prospects further is the coming of a rail link to Cairo which will bring in more cargo to the the terminal on the Mediterranean side at Port Said, said American Shipper. Also expected to help volume is the fact that the Suez Canal Authority said it will freeze toll levels for the second consecutive year.

The terminal is also being expanded to an eventual capacity of 5.4 million TEU. Draft along the berths was deepened from 13.9 metres to 14.5 metres last year, and APM will receive 24 super-postpanamax cranes by the end of the expansion, which is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Source: www.schednet.com