Maersk-owned APM Terminals and Eurogate are in advanced negotiations over a long-term partnership that would see a €1bn (£879m) investment in the modernisation of the North Sea Terminal Bremerhaven (NTB), one of Germany’s key container hubs.
APM Terminals and Eurogate, which jointly operate NTB, said the proposed investment would transform the facility into “one of the world’s most efficient and resilient container terminals with zero greenhouse gas emissions operations”.
Under the plan, the terminal’s handling equipment would be modernised and its capacity expanded from around 3 million TEU to 4 million TEU per year.
Electrification of equipment and the use of renewable electricity are intended to enable fully emissions-free terminal operations.
The proposed investment programme remains subject to both internal and external approvals.
“Bremerhaven has unique potential to grow as a strategic hub in the region and to support cargo flows into Germany as well as our ocean network,” said Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk.
“Our investments are intended to realise the full potential of the terminal, making NTB one of the most competitive terminals in Europe’s North Range.”
Eurogate highlighted the long-standing cooperation underpinning the project. “With our NTB terminal we can proudly look back on more than 25 years of successful partnership with Maersk and APM Terminals and look forward to continuing this success story together in the future,” added Michael Blach, chairman of the Eurogate Group management board.
Political leaders in the region welcomed the plans, linking them to wider infrastructure development. “The fact that Maersk, a global market leader, is so strongly committed to Bremerhaven is impressive proof of the efficiency of our ports and of Eurogate,” said Andreas Bovenschulte, mayor of Bremen.
Beyond the terminal upgrade itself, stakeholders stressed that the planned deepening of the Outer Weser river is “an essential prerequisite” for fully unlocking the potential of the upgraded terminal. A corresponding public planning process is currently underway.
