Maersk subsidiary APM Terminals has rejected rumours that there could be friction between the incoming Peruvian government and its operation at the Port of Callao.
As revealed earlier in the month, APM will reportedly invest US$307m in the first and second stages of its modernisation project for the Terminal Muelle Norte (NorthQuay) at the Port of Callao in Peru between 2013 and 2015.
The Maersk subsidiary company official took control of operations at theterminal on 1 July and plans to invest a further US$442m between 2016 and 2020.
Rumours appeared in the country that Peruvian politicians were concerned about the 17 per cent level of profits payable to Empresa Nacional de Puertos (Enapu), while their were talks during the recent election campaign of a 'renegotiation' of certain infrastructure concessions, Port Strategy reported.
However, APM's Henrik Kristensen moved to quash any doubts, saying that the group's relationship was 'even tighter' now than when the deal was originally agreed, adding that the new Peruvian government wasn't looking to alter its relationship with APM.
Kristensen said that APM had been careful to work transparently and diligently with other stakeholders to take over the concession in 50 days, Port Strategy outlined.
'We have done so many things to bring APMT together with the community: we have met with the Bishop of Callao in order to best understand the social developments and had input to the local nursery, so we are a respected local partner – the government just isn't looking to renegotiate the relationship... they have better things to do,' he said.
'Yes, everyone is preparing themselves for change, but the new government is very positive about a big multinational coming in.It means upgrading and modernisation of what is already a significant port, with projected investment of around US$307m.'
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