PortFinanceInternational - Turkey’s Yilport plans Swedish expansion
Turkish port operator Yilport Holdings has announced plans for a new terminal at Rosersberg, Sweden and new rail links linking Stockholm's Nord Facility with a newly expanded Gavle Container Terminal (GCT).
Yilport states that the new Stockholm Nord Combi Terminal (SNCT) will be the "major rail hub of choice serving the region" and will have container handling capacity of 150,000 TEU with 2 RMG cranes and several reachstakers.
"This is by no means an ordinary logistics hub. It is due to come on line in September of this year and it is very much anticipated by the market. This new facility is an integral part to the future growth of our international container terminal in Gavle, Sweden" Sean Pierce, chief executive of YilPort Holding, Turkey commented.
Expansion project to reduce traffic congestion
Alongside development of the SNCT, YIlport is increasing capacity via the expansion of the GCT from 300,000 TEU per annum to 500,000 TEU by 2018. Located on Sweden's east coast about 170 Km north of Stockholm the GCT is currently the third largest container terminal in the country.
"We see that there is considerable traffic congestion and unnecessary cost with vessels calling Stockholm harbour. Once the new SNCT with rail hub opens the liners can simply call YilPort's Gavle Container Terminal to discharge the imports that will be seamlessly and cost effectively transferred to our Stockholm Nord facility by our rail service and even delivered to the customer's door if desired," Pierce added.
YilPort Holding has the long-term concession for the GCT and aims to increase capacity in two phases with the container handling capacity growing to 400,000 TEU in the first phase by the end of 2016 and the second phase adding a further 100,000 TEU by 2018.
"We are here to compete with regional ports and terminals, but unfortunately there are not enough container volumes in Gavle and its hinterland to occupy current and future capacity of our facility. Stockholm Nord Combi Terminal will help to change that and offer exclusive service to and from YilPort's GCT facility for the container traffic. If your ship calls YilPort GCT, our intention is to put the containers to our private rail service and make it available the same day in Stockholm or elsewhere," Pierce explained.
The firm also signed a 20 year agreement to own and manages a facility in Oslo late last year and is keen to expand its network in Scandinavia. The Port of Oslo is the largest in Norway, handling over 30% of Norway's container volume and Yilport announced it will be involved in developing the new container facility at Sjursøya, designed to have annual capacity of 450,000 TEU
Yilport expansion strategy builds on strong Turkish growth
Since it was established in 2005 by industrial conglomerate Yildirim Group, Turkey's Yilport has developed into an international operation focused on high tech logistics.
The firm operates Turkey's Gebze, Rota and Gemport facilities and has benefited form strong growth in its domestic market over the last decade as Turkey has welcomed increased East-West trade.
Yilport Holdings is one of a number of international players seeking to capitalise on elevated growth as the Turkish port sector moves to become a leading regional shipment logistics centre and develop three key hub port projects.
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