YILPORT will invest €100 million to expand and modernise the North Container Terminal at the Port of Leixões in Portugal. The investment plan was presented during Porto Maritime Week by the Port of Leixões and YILPORT Iberia. According to the port authority, the project will increase container handling capacity and improve operating conditions at the terminal. The investment will also support greater efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of Leixões. North Container Terminal set for expansion The project includes the expansion and modernisation of the North Container Terminal. In addition, YILPORT’s investment will support new infrastructure and technology at the facility. The Port of Leixões said the €100 million project will strengthen its ability to serve regional businesses and logistics chains. It is also expected to support employment in northern Portugal. Earlier this year, the project received a favourable Environmental Impact Declaration from the Portuguese Environment Agency. The approval is subject to environmental mitigation and monitoring measures. The expansion will also allow the terminal to accommodate larger container vessels of up to 300 metres in length. Furthermore, the project includes a rail terminal to support container movements by train. Leixões targets higher container capacity According to the official project plan, the expanded North Container Terminal will be able to handle around 1 million TEUs annually. That would represent roughly five times the terminal’s current capacity. YILPORT currently operates both the North and South container terminals at Leixões. Its overall operation at the Portuguese port has a listed annual capacity of 1 million TEUs. The company is also preparing to deploy new container handling equipment at Leixões. In July, Container News reported that YILPORT had ordered 53 E-Hybrid rubber-tyred gantry cranes from Konecranes for four terminals. Ten automated units are destined for Leixões. The Port