PSA Sines proceeds with container terminal expansion
On July 1st, PSA Sines inaugurated a new stage of the expansion Phase at the Sines Container Terminal. The inauguration event was graced by the Portuguese Secretary of State of Infrastructure, Hugo Santos Mendes, the Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, President of the Sines Port Authority, José Luís Cacho, the Mayor of Sines, Nuno Mascarenhas, PSA management, customers, partners and stakeholders.
Since the start of the works for the terminal in 2000, PSA Sines has already invested more than 200 M Euros in the development of a state-of-the-art facility.
To continue to facilitate the increase in cargo volume and to meet the growing needs of our customers, PSA Sines has embarked on an ambitious expansion project, worth over EUR 300 million, called Phase III.
When Phase III expansion plan will be fully completed, by 2028, the terminal will have doubled its annual handling capacity to 4.1 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), herewith strengthening its position as one of the main ports in the region.
The inauguration of the additional 204m of quay length marks the completion of the first stage of Phase III, now allowing PSA Sines to handle three mega-vessels simultaneously.
Whilst employment grows in line with the investments, with the completion of the first stage, the terminal will create a many additional jobs in specific areas of engineering, Information technology, operations and HR bringing the total employment to increase, making PSA Sines one of the largest employers in the region.
Minister Balakrishnan, the Guest-of-Honour at the inauguration ceremony, shared that “Portugal and Singapore have both stood at the crossroads of busy sea lanes connecting the Asia and Europe. PSA Sines is situated in a strategic location and is positioned to be an important transhipment hub in Europe. This expansion demonstrates our strong partnership as two like-minded states, united in maintaining free trade, economic integration, freedom of navigation, and compliance with international law.
David Yang, CEO PSA EuroMed & The Americas states that "PSA has always believed that the port of Sines, with a deep-water port strategically located at the intersection of the North-South, East-West routes, the port offers a unique opportunity for the successful development of a best-in-class container terminal for our customers. Today, PSA Sines has already exceeded our highest expectations and has become a major regional hub capable of serving the most important shipping routes and receiving the largest container ships.