Grup TCB has signed the definitive acquisition of the Terminal Polivalente de Castellón, S.A. (TPC) after the competent authorities, including the Port Authority of Castellón, have agreed to the purchase.
TPC handles about 80% of all TEUs processed in the Port of Castellón and is an important export platform for the region. The terminal has capacity to handle 350,000 TEUs per year and a total area of 120,000 m².
Under Globalvia's management, the terminal has recently achieved the ISO 9001 quality certificate and in 2014 increased its container traffic by 5%, reaching 162,000 movements. It has a 970-metre berthing line, a maximum depth of 14 metres, modern facilities and direct rail access to ensure quick inland connection.
Grup TCB has appointed Victor Muñoz as CEO of the new company. Muñoz, a captain of the Spanish Merchant Navy with a doctorate in nautical engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), has a long history within the organization. In his 21 years at Grup TCB, he has led several projects, including the implementation of the Paranaguá Terminal (assistant to general management between 2000 and 2002), director of operations at Grup TCB between 2007 and 2009 and CEO of TCBuen (Colombia) between 2010 and 2014.
Grup TCB agreed the transaction last April with the owners of the terminal, after completing negotiations with the majority shareholder, Globalvia. With this acquisition, the company consolidates its leadership on the Mediterranean coast, where it owns the maritime and railway terminals of Barcelona and Valencia.
Victor Muñoz stated:
"We came to Castellón with the aim of enhancing the growth prospects of the terminal thanks to a strong commitment to its competitiveness."
Xavier Soucheiron, Grup TCB's CEO, commented:
"We will promote a growth plan in the Terminal Polivalente de Castellón based on modernization and operational efficiency. TPC will allow us to consolidate the overall export and import services we offer our customers who operate in Spain or who call at our ports to communicate with Africa, Asia and the Arabian Gulf".