Hutchison Ports and Terminal Investment Limited Sàrl (TIL), the terminal investment company of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has announced the intention for a collaboration to develop a new container terminal in the Europahaven, where the north side of the Hutchison Ports ECT Delta terminal and Hutchison Ports Delta II (the former APMT-R site) are located.

Both locations on the Delta peninsula are part of the new container terminal and will facilitate MSC's ambitions for further growth, the announcement said.

TIL noted that the Port of Rotterdam Authority will redevelop the quay walls for this project and the entire terminal will be developed and launched in phases and is expected to start the first phase of operation in 2027.

"We are looking forward to developing and operating the terminal together with TIL. In our plan, the new terminal will consist of five deep-sea berths with a total length of 2.6 km.," said Leo Ruijs, CEO of Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam and Hutchison Ports Delta II.

"We are delighted to strengthen further our presence in the region, with the goal of building an automated container terminal that offers high productivity levels and a sustainable working environment."

Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, for his part, expressed optimism about the deal.

"We are delighted that world-class player MSC is committed to this renewal and significant expansion of the container handling in Rotterdam. After the redevelopment, the terminal's expected capacity will be 6 to 7 million TEU (standard size for containers)," Castelein said.

"This is a substantial strengthening of our leading position as Europe's largest container port and contributes to further improving the competitive position of both our customers and the port."

Ammar Kanaan, CEO of TIL also noted TIL's commitment to the development of the new state-of-the-art mega terminal in Rotterdam.

It added that sustainability is a top priority for TIL and MSC.

"As the world's largest container shipping company, we have a crucial role in creating a sustainable future. The possibility of utilizing shore power is therefore an important consideration for the development of the new terminal. Elaborations on the shore-side power strategy for this project will be further explored with relevant stakeholders," the statement added.