European container terminal operator EUROGATE plans to increase its labour force at Germany’s deep-water port of Wilhelmshaven by 50 percent.

“The extensive recruitment programme foresees increasing the number of employees at EUROGATE’s Wilhelmshaven location from 400 at present to 600 as part of an agenda for the future,” the company said.

The need for more workforce stems from sustained growth in monthly container throughput that doubled since May as two major alliances, 2M and Ocean Alliance, started calling at the container terminal in Wilhelmshaven.

“The major alliances with their largest container ships in the world mean higher handling volumes at the seaports, which terminal operators need to be able to clear quickly and efficiently. Due to its nautical access conditions and available yard area, EUROGATE Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven is ideally suited for productively handling the services of the major alliances,” the terminal operator added.

In order to up its game and further enhance its market position, EUROGATE informed it would require up to 200 predominantly operational staff in Wilhelmshaven over the next two years.

“Compared to other port locations, Wilhelmshaven is a young port with a very young container terminal. The current consolidation process among the shipping lines and the resulting processes of change in the market provide EUROGATE with the opportunity in Wilhelmshaven to establish ourselves as a first-class container terminal. This is an opportunity we want to and must grasp.  We are therefore building up our future capabilities in a difficult competitive environment,” saidMikkel Andersen, Managing Director of EUROGATE Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven.

As disclosed, the increase in staff will take place as quickly as possible, but should nevertheless reflect the development in handling volumes. EUROGATE is conducting the training with its own instructors.

“Applicants should basically be prepared to undertake any operational task at the port, from operating large handling equipment to physically demanding lashing,” Andersen adds.