The year 2021 marks four years since Eurogate Container Terminal Limassol Ltd took over the management of the container terminal at Limassol port. During this time, Eurogate has significantly upgraded the infrastructure and services offered at the terminal, by reducing processing time and offering safe cargo storage and management until it is delivered to the recipient.
During these four years, Eurogate has invested more than €30 million in upgrading port infrastructure, which includes the purchase of two state-of-the-art “Super post Panamax” cranes that are capable of serving the world’s largest container vessels, such as the Ever Given, as well as 17 new straddle carriers, and two empty container stackers.
Eurogate also implemented an innovative IT system which is connected to the Customs Department, Cyprus Ports Authority and shipping offices, thus reducing the processing time for containers and releasing them for collection in just 20 minutes instead of 12-24 hours as was the case previously.
Additionally, traders are now informed about container arrivals and pickup times via an online platform. At the same time, thanks to the introduction of an innovative technology in collaboration with the Customs Department, the use of paper has been completely eliminated. Containers are now released electronically without the need to submit customs documents like before.
It is also worth noting that in the unprecedented conditions created both internationally and in Cyprus by the coronavirus pandemic, Eurogate Container Terminal Limassol Ltd continued its operations at Limassol port by increasing its health and safety measures, thus contributing to Cypriot trade and the economy.
In recognition of the ongoing upgrade of the terminal, as well as the supply chain, Eurogate recently obtained a top certification from the Cyprus Customs & Excise Department, the Authorised Economic Operator – Full (AEOF) Certification being the highest level of the Institution “Customs Simplifications, Security & Protection”. The safe storage of goods at the terminal was the main factor that contributed to receiving this certificate, as so far absolutely no loss from theft or other reason has been recorded.
To mark the four-year anniversary since Eurogate Container Terminal Limassol Ltd began managing the terminal, George Pouros, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Increased productivity, minimization of the ships’ waiting time and the provision of quality services were just a few of the goals we had set initially and we can confidently state that these have now been achieved. Over these four years we have proved that with steadfast goals and continuous effort, the container terminal in the port of Limassol has the potential to become an important transit hub in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, we are working intensively in cooperation with the competent Ministry to implement the port’s transformation into a transit hub. This will have direct economic benefits towards the state and to those involved in the port industry “.
He also added that “the pandemic has caused global difficulties across the spectrum of economic and social activity. In this context, commercial activity at the Eurogate terminal could not avoid being affected as the volume of containers we had to manage in 2020 decreased compared to the previous two years. But despite the reduction in 2020 due to the pandemic, a workload growth of around 10% has been recorded in the past four years”.
