Liberian development goes to APM

APM has won a 25 year concession at the Port of Monrovia in Liberia as part of a public tender process.

The terminal operator responded to a public tender issued by the Liberian Government in December 2009. Bidders were asked to rehabilitate the existing marginal wharf, develop container and general cargo operations in the terminal and take on responsibility for marine services throughout the Port.

It is part of a private participation initiative that aims to bolster the national economy and create jobs in the capital city of Monrovia. The port is in urgent need of rehabilitation and upgrading to modern levels.

The strife-riven area has suffered from the impact of not one, but two civil wars in the last couple of decades that damaged its infrastructure and resulted in huge loss of life. Growing investment in the region is no doubt part of the Liberian government’s peace-keeping strategy.

Construction on the quay wall is to begin immediately, followed by a new berth, more efficient yard handling procedures and the installation of new equipment to make the port more competitive, capable of handling modern, deep-draft vessels.

APM Terminals CEO, Kim Fejfer says that APM will be working closely with the IMCC, Port Sector Reform Program and the National Port Authority on the next steps of the process to ensure a smooth transition and “to improve the port infrastructure and create a much stronger economic engine for the national and regional market”.

(Source: Port Strategy)