Two shipping companies to takeover the Gothenburg ro-ro terminal

The Port of Gothenburg has signed a concession agreement with DFDS and C.PORTS to run the Port’s ro-ro terminal. This is the first time that DFDS and C.PORTS have collaborated in owning and operating a ro-ro terminal which will be operated by a newly formed company. The concession is for 25 years and will come into effect in January 2011.

The agreement follows the February 2010 division of the port company into a municipal Port Authority and three separate terminal operating companies. Quays and infrastructure will remain, as before, under municipal ownership with the agreement covering the cargo handling operation of the ro-ro terminal.

"We had interest from several large international companies in the port and shipping sector during a competitive bidding process, and the clear winner was DFDS and C.PORTS (a Cobelfret sister company)," said Magnus Kårestedt, Gothenburg’s CEO. "They share our visions with regard to the port, they have sector knowledge which is second to none and they have a long-term strategy. This was a key requirement for agreeing this long term deal."

When the concession agreement comes into effect, DFDS and C.Ports will take over the terminal company, the 320 employees and all customer contracts. Operations at the container terminal and the car terminal will be transferred next year.
(Source:www.container-mag.com)