Container capacity at APM Terminals Gothenburg will jump by 50% this fall with the implementation of two new specialized rail cranes and the completion of an expansion project which will add a sixth access track to accommodate three full trains of 750 meters length simultaneously, compared to two at present. Through improved operational efficiency created by these investments, the terminal’s rail volume capacity will rise by 50% annually.
“This is a very positive step for Swedish industry,” noted APM Terminals Gothenburg CEO Keld Pedersen, adding “With the increased train capacity we deliver another competitive advantage to our customers whose supply chains can realize time and money savings. Equally important, train operators gain an extra 15% track capacity as we extend rail tracks from 640 meters to 750 meters.”
Gothenburg is the busiest container port in Scandinavia, with volume of 860,000 TEUs in 2013, 90% of which were handled by APM Terminals Gothenburg.
Nearly half of all of the port’s container traffic moves by rail into and out of the facility, the highest proportion of any European port. At present, there are 25 weekly rail shuttles currently serving the facility, linking the terminal with industrial and population centers in Sweden and Norway.
The rail investment is part of a total investment package by APM Terminals worth just over SEK 800 million (USD 120 million) by the year 2016 designed to increase the capacity, efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of the terminal.
“The expanded rail access will bring significant benefits not only to port capacity and operations, but also to the environment as long-haul truck traffic is also reduced,” Pedersen said.
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