MOL, APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine, CMA CGM and DP World have been awarded a contract to equip and operate a container terminal in Port of Rotterdam scheduled to open in 2013.

The terminal, for which the consortium has signed a 25-year lease, will be equipped with the most advanced facilities as well as on-dock rail and road networks, and will serve as the gateway to Europe, said a statement.

The new Rotterdam World Gateway will be located at Maasvlakte 2 and have a total area of approx 156 hectares or 1.56 million square meters.

The consortium said it would operate the most efficient and environmentally-friendly terminal as possible, adding that would also be a key hub in Europe.

An MOL statement said the company had enhanced its container services in Europe through a fleet expansion in response to the booming European economy. The expected growth in container traffic has been anticipated through the company by its decision to develop the new terminal in Rotterdam to ease congestion.