Costa Rican courts have ruled in favor of Dutch company APM Terminals in two lawsuits that were intended to block its award concession for the new Moin Container Terminal (MCT).

APM Terminals Moin managing director Paul Gallie said the favorable decisions in two cases - one against the company and the other against the government - affirmed the legality and transparency of the concesion process.

"It further demonstrates the experience and professionalism of APM Terminals in competing for and winning the 33-year concession to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the TCM," he said.

"The implementation of the TCM project is currently on track and during this transition period APM Terminals will perform the required detailed environmental and engineering studies in order to produce the final design and gain the statutory licences and permits.

"These will be submitted for Government approval, prior to construction start in 2013."

The company expects the project will boost Costa Rica's long term economic growth by taking advantage of its proximity to the Panama Canal by servicing today's modern fleet of much larger container ships.

Protests against APM Terminals led to a port shutdown in June, which impacted on banana and pineapple exports.

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