APM Terminals has decided to divest its container terminal in Izmir, Turkey, to its current partner, SOCAR as it is better suited to further develop the terminal. APM Terminals´ commitment to Turkey remains as it will continue to manage the facility, offering high operational standards of reliability, safety, sustainability and customer service.
A long-term contract, which is still subject to customary approvals, will take effect post-change of ownership, and is expected to be concluded by the end of the year. SOCAR will own the facility while APM Terminals will continue to operate the terminal. The facility will be called Petlim Container Terminal.
“APM Terminals and SOCAR have agreed that we will continue to manage the container terminal in the same way as we have done from the beginning. There will be no change in operations nor services,” ensures Leo Huisman, APM Terminals Head of Terminals in Europe.
The company expects no changes to the employment status of the 310-strong workforce. “This will be the same company as it is now, just with a new owner and a new name. We foresee no job losses,” explains Huisman.
Customer experiences will also remain unchanged. “As part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, APM Terminals aims to provide great service at any given touchpoint in the supply chain. APM Terminals will honor all contracts made prior to the transaction. The same principle applies to all contracts of vendors and suppliers,” adds Huisman.
By continuing to manage the facility, APM Terminals demonstrates its confidence and commitment to the Turkish market as well as to the needs of the regional and global customers. “We believe that SOCAR is in the best position to further develop the terminal and we are proud to continue the work that we have started in APM Terminals and to maintain our partnership, keeping the facility as the best-in-class in the area.” says Huisman.
Located in Aliaga, the terminal remains the largest container terminal in Turkey’s Aegean Region, with an annual capacity of 1.3 million Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs). Maersk Line, SeaLand, Safmarine, Hamburg Süd and other carriers will continue to call at the terminal.
For more information;
APM Terminals Management B.V
Tel: +31 70 304 3100
Fax: +31 70 304 3199
www.apmterminals.com