GLOBAL depot and port terminal operator APM Terminals officially launched its operations in the Coega industrial development zone (IDZ) on Sunday, establishing a full-service depot to meet the needs of shipping lines and cargo owners.

The R25m investment will cater for dry and refrigerated containers, providing repairs, handling, storage, monitoring and container conversion.

APM Terminals is a subsidiary of the APMM group, based in Denmark. It launched operations in South Africa in 2000, opening a depot in Cape Town and later in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Walvis Bay in Namibia.

The company will use Coega to expand into Africa.

“A Nelson Mandela Bay depot has always been part of our plan. We were just waiting for the Port of Ngqura to be fully operational and shipping lines to show commitment to use this port before we embarked in a depot investment in the Coega IDZ,” said Imtiaz Mahomed-Ally, chief operations officer of APM Terminals.

Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega Development Corporation head of marketing and communications, said the link between the port and the Coega IDZ offered a “seamless interconnection”.

Mr Mahomed-Ally said APM Terminals were also looking at establishing a depot in Beira in Mozambique.

“We are here to stay and expand our footprint in depot operations in southern Africa,” he said.

 

 

Source: http://www.bdlive.co.za