On 1 July, PSA Sines in Portugal held an inauguration ceremony to mark the completion of the first stage of Sines Container Terminal's Phase III expansion.

The completed works in the first stage of the expansion include an additional 204 metres of quay length, which will now allow PSA Sines to handle three mega-vessels simultaneously.

The Phase III expansion plan is expected to be fully completed by 2028, doubling the terminal's annual handling capacity to 4.1 million TEUs. Worth over EUR 300 million, the Phase III expansion will further strengthen PSA Sines' position as one of the main ports in the region, as well as facilitate the increase in cargo volume to meet the growing needs of our customers. It will also create new jobs in areas of engineering, information technology and operations, making PSA Sines one of the largest employers in the region.

Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Balakrishnan, who was also Guest-of-Honour at the inauguration ceremony, said: "Portugal and Singapore have both stood at the crossroads of busy sea lanes connecting Asia and Europe. PSA Sines is situated in a strategic location and is positioned to be an important transhipment hub in Europe. This expansion demonstrates our strong partnership as two like-minded states, united in maintaining free trade, economic integration, freedom of navigation, and compliance with international law."

PSA International Regional CEO Europe, Mediterranean and the Americas David Yang said: "PSA has always believed that the port of Sines, with a deep-water port strategically located at the intersection of the North-South, East-West routes, offers a unique opportunity for the successful development of a best-in-class container terminal for our customers. Today, PSA Sines has already exceeded our highest expectations and has become a major regional hub capable of serving the most important shipping routes and receiving the largest container ships."