Madagascar terminal investment rolls out
Philippine firm International Container Terminal Services has started rolling out investment at its new terminal in Madagascar through its subsidiary, Madagascar International Container Terminal Services. Independent shipping analysts forecast that container traffic through the city, which totaled 104 000 TEUs in 2004, is expected to double by 2009. The next 24 month period will see significant investment in infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of 280 meters of quay; the strengthening of the terminal's berth C2 so as to be able to accommodate mobile harbor crane operation; on the landside, the rehabilitation of 12 hectares of container stacking area; and the construction of a gatehouse, operations control center and administration building. The total investment in civil works alone over the next 24 months is expected to exceed $13-million. Significant investments in container handling equipment have also been undertaken including three reach stackers and 17 terminal tractor...