Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) has announced it will invest EUR700m ($703m) into the TPO/TNMSC container terminals at Le Havre.

TiL said it has become the sole owner of both the larger TNMSC, allowing it to be able to invest, expand and modernise the terminals, preparing the port for receiving the new generation of 24,000 teu-vessels. 

TiL’s modernisation plans are the result of an agreement between the dock workers’ union, TiL and the TPO/TNMSC terminals.

“By implementing this initiative we will be able to grow and densify our capacity to help Le Havre become an even more significant access point for the French cargo market, and beyond,” said Ammar Kanaan, CEO, TiL.

“In order to realise Le Havre’s full potential as a gateway to Europe we are counting on the French government’s support for the development of the related intermodal rail infrastructure that will further enhance the link between our container terminals and European supply chains.”

Stephane Raison, HAROPA’s CEO and Chair of the Management Board, said: “We are proud to have worked in confidence with TiL to make HAROPA PORT, France’s leading port, a reference container hub in Northern Europe for MSC and its customers…HAROPA PORT enters a new dimension on the North Europe row as the first port for imports from France and Europe, and the last port for exports at the service of shipper and shipowner customers,” added

Main shareholders for TiL include are US Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and Singapore Government Sovereign Wealth Fund (GIC).

The TNMSC terminal, which has been MSC’s gateway at the port is currently capable of handling 1.5m teu annually with 1,402m of dock for four berths able to handle vessels with a capacity of up to 20,000 teu. The facility covers approximately 70.8 hectares. The smaller TPO terminal that can currently handle two ultra-large containerships and move approximately 550,000 teu annually.

Last year, Le Havre handled nearly 2.8m teu, up 15% over 2020. According to port officials, the port is ideally positioned to serve as a primary facility in Northern Europe as well as a location for transhipment operations to areas such as Ireland.

Source: Seatrade Maritime News