LE Havre port authority (Grand Port Maritime du Havre) has commenced the final phase of its Port 2000 deep-water container terminal development to accommodate the biggest ships afloat.
Le Havre ends first bidding in final phase of Port 2000 development
LE Havre port authority (Grand Port Maritime du Havre) has commenced the final phase of its Port 2000 deep-water container terminal development to accommodate the biggest ships afloat.
A call for tenders to operate the last two berths at the terminal closed on October 1, though the port authority has declined to reveal the current line up of bidders or the spending required.
Port 2000 opened in 2006 and today comprises 10 berths, with shipping lines CMA CGM and MSC each operating four and Maersk running two, notes Lloyd's Loading List.
MSC and cargo-handling operator Terminaux de Normandie (TN) invested EUR160 million (US$216.8 million) on a 50:50 basis through a joint-venture company, TNMSC, in their four berths at Port 2000.
The project also attracted EUR270 million in public funds, focusing on dredging the access channel to the port and building of the 1,400 square metres of quayside.
Two berths will cover 700 square metres with a 36-hectare container yard, increasing Le Havre berths to 12, giving it a annual capacity of 4.5 million TEU at full build-out.
In the first nine months of 2013 Le Havre handled almost 1.9 million TEU, up six per cent year on year.