APM Terminals Issues Industry Challenge

Addressing TOC Europe 2008 in Amsterdam, Sondergaard warned that “the clock is running”. He listed areas of ‘significant emerging concern’ being confronted by container terminal operators as volumes and vessels continue to expand on an annual basis, yet the terminal development projects needed to meet this growth are measured in decades, from initial planning to start of operations.

“We must find ways to improve capacity in existing terminals and at the same time make these terminals safer, more secure and environmentally friendly”, he said.

Citing recent innovation and technological advances implemented at facilities in the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, Sondergaard stated that the projected increase in container throughput over the next 10 years will bring bigger challenges and the need for greater security enforcement, environmental mitigation and emission reduction.