CMA CGM-APMT JV to operate Miami terminal

CMA CGM, through its subsidiary Terminal Link (Miami), and APM Terminals North America have received approval from the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners for a joint venture to operate a marine terminal at the Port of Miami.

Terminal Link serves as the signatory of the fifteen-year agreement with Miami-Dade County, and the terminal will be operated by a joint venture company - South Florida Container Terminal - in which Terminal Link will hold a 51% stake and APMT 49%.

The terminal will operate on the 71-acre site formerly held by APMT, and is renewable for two five-year periods.

The agreement authorises the terminal to operate as a common-user terminal.  Historically, there has only been one common user terminal in Miami.

Initially, the South Florida Container Terminal will service CMA CGM, which currently has five liner services calling at Miami, and Maersk Line, whose services account for the second highest throughput of all cargo carriers at the port.

The terminal includes a 5,000 ft quay (2,000 ft of which are offered for priority berthing to the JV), eight gantry cranes (four of which are allocated for priority use by the JV), and a 40 ft draft to be deepened to 50 feet by 2015.

The approved agreement represents a minimum total investment of US$25 million in terminal infrastructure upgrades and improvements.

CMA CGM has invested in 24 container terminals worldwide, three of which are in the US. This is part of the group's strategy aimed at securing berthing space for its vessels to ensure speed and efficiency in its shipping operation.