Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), the terminal operator for MSC Group, will manage the new facility. The completed terminal is expected to be fully operational by 2027, covering an area of 170,000 square metres. This development positions Aarhus as a key logistics hub, with Denmark’s two largest container terminals located within the port.
This agreement, however, follows a significant legal dispute between MSC and Maersk over the control of container operations in Aarhus.
Maersk, through its subsidiary APM Terminals, has long dominated the port and considered it as its territory. In July 2024, Maersk sued the port of Aarhus, seeking a temporary injunction to prevent the port from entering into new agreements concerning a second container terminal. Maersk argued that the port’s actions violated a 2020 memorandum of understanding between the port and APM Terminals.
Despite the lawsuit, the Port of Aarhus has moved forward with its plans to diversify its operations.
“We are delighted that MSC Group and TiL see the Port of Aarhus as an attractive port and are now choosing to invest in the establishment of a container terminal. It gives the business community more opportunities to trade with the outside world, and it strengthens our competitiveness and not least our role in securing the Danish supply for the benefit of the business community and the whole of Denmark,” said Thomas Haber Borch, CEO of the Port of Aarhus.
MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company, was founded in 1970 and currently operates a fleet of 850 container ships, with over 200,000 employees globally. Its Danish headquarters are already located within the Aarhus port area.
Søren Toft, CEO of MSC, outlined the company’s future plans, saying:
“The Port of Aarhus has a very good location for the future plans we have laid out. We will introduce a direct mainliner between Aarhus and Asia next year, and in combination with our own terminal, we can offer our customers a strong logistics solution. In the longer term, we are looking at several routes that can have a positive impact on Danish business, and we will be ready for further investments when new areas are developed at the port in Aarhus.”