The Swedish Competition Authority has approved the acquisition of the Skandia Container Terminal (SCT) at Gothenburg by APM Terminals - putting the takeover on schedule for January 2012.

    Tom Boyd, spokesperson for APM Terminals, said to Port Strategy: “We are excited to enter the Swedish market and manage the nation’s largest deepwater container terminal – Skandia Container Terminal. We are impressed with the performance YTD of the Gothenburg Port Authority and are now gearing up for how to build on their momentum.

     The port has excellent inland rail connections and access to key markets. Plus, Sweden has an active export sector so this will complement the import side.”

     The Port of Gothenburg is also happy at the news. Sven Hulterström, Chairman of the Port of Gothenburg, added: "We are extremely pleased that the matter was dealt with so speedily. This is positive for the 450 employees at the terminal and for the customers."

     APM Terminals will be heavily investing in the terminal with a programme worth SEK 800 over the next five years. The investment will include three new super post-panamax cranes.

     APM signed the agreement to take over SCT, the largest container in Scandinavia, back in October. Last year, the terminal handled around 800,000 teu – 60% of the Swedish market.

(source:http://www.portstrategy.com/news101)