Port & Terminal News
Zeeland seeks new operator
Tue, 1 Jun 2010
Zeeland Seaports is seeking a new partner for its Westerschelde Container Terminal (WCT) after Belgium’s PSA Antwerp failed to exercise its right to operate the planned facility. PSA’s right to exclusivity for operating the Dutch terminal expired on 1 May.
According to Zeeland Seaports, the port authority, further discussions made it clear that PSA does “not want to take a decision on the conditions for putting the WCT into operation in the future”.
A statement from Zeeland Seaports added: “Zeeland Seaports regrets this because the impression was always that PSA was working together with the port authority to develop this container terminal, which is so vital to Zeeland’s economy. Without an operator, it will be difficult to justify the economic feasibility of the terminal.”
The port has now asked the Provincial Executive of Zeeland not to proceed yet with the Environmental Effect Report for WCT because it wishes to carry out a further study of the container market to ascertain potential interest from other operators.
“Given the present situation, Zeeland Seaports feels it is important first to carry out a market survey and to examine which parties, besides PSA, are interested in operating the WCT,” said the port authority statement.
“The container market appears to have emerged from the economic crisis during the past few months and demand for container transport is once again rising considerably around the world.”
Once the survey is complete, the port will initiate a targeted market approach with a view to concluding a firm agreement with a terminal operator. This, said the port, will help ensure that the terminal can be run profitably and will enhance the project’s chance of success.
The WCT project envisages 2km of main quayline and 900 metres of barge quay with an annual capacity of 2m teu. To be built in phases, the plan originally foresaw initial operations beginning as early as 2012 with PSA as the exclusive operator.
The port’s board emphasised that it is still firmly behind the project and added that PSA is still welcome as a potential operator.
According to Zeeland Seaports, the port authority, further discussions made it clear that PSA does “not want to take a decision on the conditions for putting the WCT into operation in the future”.
A statement from Zeeland Seaports added: “Zeeland Seaports regrets this because the impression was always that PSA was working together with the port authority to develop this container terminal, which is so vital to Zeeland’s economy. Without an operator, it will be difficult to justify the economic feasibility of the terminal.”
The port has now asked the Provincial Executive of Zeeland not to proceed yet with the Environmental Effect Report for WCT because it wishes to carry out a further study of the container market to ascertain potential interest from other operators.
“Given the present situation, Zeeland Seaports feels it is important first to carry out a market survey and to examine which parties, besides PSA, are interested in operating the WCT,” said the port authority statement.
“The container market appears to have emerged from the economic crisis during the past few months and demand for container transport is once again rising considerably around the world.”
Once the survey is complete, the port will initiate a targeted market approach with a view to concluding a firm agreement with a terminal operator. This, said the port, will help ensure that the terminal can be run profitably and will enhance the project’s chance of success.
The WCT project envisages 2km of main quayline and 900 metres of barge quay with an annual capacity of 2m teu. To be built in phases, the plan originally foresaw initial operations beginning as early as 2012 with PSA as the exclusive operator.
The port’s board emphasised that it is still firmly behind the project and added that PSA is still welcome as a potential operator.
advertisement
