San Jose, Costa Rica – The Costa Rican courts ruled today in favor of APM Terminals in two lawsuits, brought against the company and the government, which were intended to block the awarded concession for the new Moin Container Terminal (TCM). “Today’s favorable decision from the Second Circuit Court in San Jose affirms the transparency and legality of the concession process. It further demonstrates the experience and professionalism of APM Terminals in competing for and winning the 33-year concession to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the TCM.” declared Capt. Paul Gallie, Managing Director, APM Terminals Moin, S.A.

Project on track

“The implementation of the TCM project is currently on track and during this transition period APM Terminals will perform the required detailed environmental and engineering studies in order to produce the final design and gain the statutory licences and permits.

These will be submitted for Government approval, prior to construction start in 2013.” Gallie added.

The TCM is expected to boost Costa Rica’s long term economic growth and global competitiveness. For the first time, the country will be able to take advantage of its proximity to the Panama Canal by servicing today’s modern fleet of much larger container ships. Costa Rica’s international commerce will benefit greatly, in terms of economies of scale and improved supply chain efficiency, with a world class container terminal operating at the highest global safety, security and productivity standards.

The TCM will be a catalyst for accelerated foreign and domestic manufacturing and logistics investments in Limon Province.

The TCM, a specialized container terminal, is part of a larger Japdeva master plan of modernizing the Puerto Limon / Moin port complex, which includes a specialized cruise ship terminal and marina, expansion of the petroleum terminal and improvements to the exisiting general-cargo berths at Moin. It is expected that all four specialized terminals will drive the country’s global competitiveness.

The concession contract calls for a USD $992.2M investment by APM Terminals, the largest single privately funded infrastructure project in the country. Currently, the Caribbean port handles up to 80% of the country’s international commerce.

TCM project phases

The first phase of the TCM project consists of a 40 hectares island 500 meters off the Caribbean coast, 600 meters of quay, two berths, a 1500 meter long breakwater, 16 meter deep channel and six super-post Panamax container gantry-cranes.

The installation will be of world class with carbon neutral energy sources, electronic security and container safety scanning technology. This will be complemented with safe and modern industry processes and trained personnel.

At completion the TCM will consist of an 80 hectares island with 1,500 meters of quay, 5 berths, 2.2 kilometer breakwater, 18 meter deep access channel and 9 super-post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes.

More on this topic

Court Clears Way for New Mega Port

October 2014

A constitutional court has rejected appeals by port unionists and announced that the construction of the Container Terminal at Moin will begin in early 2015.

From a statement issued by APM Terminals:

San José, Costa Rica, October 9. The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Costa Rican Government and APM Termináis in an appeal filed by the port workers unión against the 33-year concession contract for the new Moin Container Terminal (TCM) in Limón on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

Does Costa Rica Really Want a New Port?

April 2014

There are so many obstacles faced by the project being run by Dutch APM Terminals that it begs the question as to whether the Costa Rican government really wants it to happen.

Since it was awarded construction of the New Mega Port for specialized container ships in Moin, the Dutch company APM Terminals has faced dozens of lawsuits and other legal measures in the courts, which has maintained continuous doubts about the realization of the project.

October 2013 Deadline for Starting Moin Works

April 2012

The National Tender Board (CNC in Spanish) has notified the company APM Terminals which has a maximum of 18 months to begin the construction of the new Moin Container Terminal (MCT), in the Caribbean, Costa Rica.

After the deadline, APT Terminals has 36 months to complete the works on this terminal which will allow servicing and boarding of container vessels.

Work Started on Moin Transfer Port Design

March 2012

Americas Gateway Development Corporation, the company that won the tender for the design, will start work on detailing the technical, environmental, commercial and financial studies.

Aubrey Young, CEO of Americas Gateway Development Corporation (Amega), noted that they estimate about twelve months for this stage.