Under the deal, the facility at Rijeka is to be developed and jointly operated by APM Terminals and ENNA as joint venture partners. APM Terminals holds 51 per cent in the joint venture, and ENNA 49 per cent, reports Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK.

The signing ceremony marks the beginning of the construction phase for the new facility, expected to become operational in three and half years when the first phase is schedule to be completed.

After the completion of the secnd phase the projected throughput will be 1.06 million TEU.

The future terminal will be part of APM Terminal's global network, while benefitting from ENNA's deep understanding of the local market in Croatia.

"For APM Terminals, development of this new facility is in line with our newly launched strategy of 'Safer, Better, Bigger'. We want to grow our business where it makes sense and where our customers need us, and this is clearly the case with Rijeka", commented Morten Engelstoft, APM Terminals CEO.

Pavao Vujnovac, president of the board, ENNA Group, said: "We firmly believe that our joint venture of investment into the Zagreb Deep Sea container terminal in Rijeka (Rijeka Gateway) will lay the foundations for further growth and sustainability of the port operations and logistics business in Rijeka and in the Republic of Croatia."

Once completed, the new terminal will have a berth length of 400 metres and will be equipped with three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes Rijeka Gateway capable of serving vessels of up to 24,000 TEU. Phase two will add a further 280 metres of berth and a further quay crane.

The terminal will also feature a rail connection with the hinterland, linking Rijeka not only with the rest of Croatia but also with neighbouring markets.