APM Terminals (APMT) and Hutchison Ports have announced that Hutchison Ports Netherlands B.V., a subsidiary of Hutchison Ports, has signed an agreement to acquire the Rotterdam container terminal APM Terminals Rotterdam (APMTR) from APMT.

APMTR is located adjacent to Hutchison Ports’ existing ECT Delta terminal in the Maasvlakte area of Europe’s largest port. It has 1,600 meters of deep-water quay serviced by 13 ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

Stronger Rotterdam presence

“We are delighted to strengthen further our presence in the Port of Rotterdam. We already handle the majority of containers in the port through ECT’s Delta and Euromax terminals. The addition of APMTR will further enhance our ability to offer a first-class and flexible service to our customers,” Clemence Cheng, managing director of Hutchison Ports Europe said of the acquisition.

“We will continue to serve Maersk Line’s existing business at the terminal and will work with the workforce to develop the customer and volume base to meet growing demand.  We have the opportunity to redevelop and enhance the facility in the future and look forward to continuing to grow our business in the port,” he added.

Meanwhile, commenting on the divestment, Rolf Nielsen, Head of Hub Terminals APMT said both parties have “worked intensively and constructively” over the past 18 months to complete the transaction. 

The value of the deal, however, was not disclosed.

“The sale gives APMTR the best possible future with a good security for jobs for its employees,” Nielsen said.