Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Croatian subsidiary, has handled a cumulative throughput of two million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), the high point of the company’s 10th anniversary this year.
In 2011, ICTSI forged a 30-year strategic partnership with Luka Rijeka D.D. for the operation, management, and development of AGCT at the Port of Rijeka, Croatia’s main seaport.
“Two million TEUs in 10 years is a remarkable feat for AGCT," says Emmanuel Papagiannakis, AGCT Chief Executive Officer.
"We attracted new services and handled the largest vessels currently calling the Adriatic," he pointed out.
In addition, "Our rail operations have grown significantly, with our intermodal share increasing to 42 percent and rail volume by more than 50 percent over the last two years. Terminal volume has also more than doubled in the last decade."
ICTSI has since invested more than USD50 million to acquire new equipment, including quay cranes, rubber tired and rail-mounted gantries, and expand the berth and yard, which doubled the terminal’s total annual capacity.
Last year, AGCT’s rail capacity grew threefold with the completion of the new intermodal yard.
These, along with the adoption of industry best practices, allowed AGCT to improve the overall efficiency, safety, and operational processes.
"Under ICTSI’s management, AGCT consolidated its position as the country’s main container terminal and expanded into the hinterlands," according to Papagiannakis.
"Around 70 percent of our volume now comes from outside Croatia – from Central and Southeast Europe, which provides a solid platform for the Port of Rijeka’s future growth and development.”
AGCT has been a strong contributor to the development of the Croatian economy, facilitating the effective movement of trade by providing exporters and importers with efficient and modern port services.
AGCT also provided a boost to Rijeka’s local economy through the creation of over 230 employment opportunities in the port and other related industries.