The board of directors of the Valenciaport Authority (VPA), in Spain, has approved an eight-year extension of the concession held by APM Terminals Valencia.

The extension is subject to a new investment commitment exceeding $12 million to improve the terminal’s productivity, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

With this extension, the concession will run until 2049, reaching the maximum ordinary extension of 50 years permitted under the Spanish port legislation.

APM Terminals’ concession in Valencia began in 1999 and has been extended sequentially over time, now reaching the ordinary maximum term of 50 years.

“The support of the Valenciaport Authority’s Board of Directors for this extension allows us to move forward with investments that strengthen the sustainability and operational capacity of the terminal, thereby increasing competitiveness and reinforcing the Port of Valencia as a strategic hub on major global shipping routes,” explained Julián Fernández, Managing Director of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways.

In terms of improving environmental performance main initiative is the electrification of the Levante Quay through the installation of the first onshore power supply (OPS) system, one of four that APM Terminals plans to deploy in Valencia. 

This first phase will include the power delivery centre and the transformation and conversion substation required for its operation, in line with the European port decarbonisation targets for 2030 promoted by the VPA.

The OPS rollout forms part of the OPS Valenciaport initiative, led by Fundación Valenciaport and co-financed under the EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport programme.

The second investment focus will adapt the Levante Quay fenders to accommodate large vessels operating under the Gemini co-operation in which Maersk and Hapag Lloyd participate. APM Terminals said this upgrade will be critical to serving Asia–Mediterranean services requiring draughts of up to 16.5 metres.

Tim Miltenburg, Head of Decarbonisation Centre of Excellence at APM Terminals, said that “decarbonisation extends beyond the terminal fence. Therefore, APMT does not only focus on our own operational emissions but works globally to support solutions that reduce emissions across the terminal ecosystem, including those of our customers. This investment plan for Valencia is a great example of what that can look like and how we work with port authorities to find the best solutions for their port.”