The new construction will rest on 273 load bearing piles which will be driven to a depth 50 metres below ground level. The works are to be completed by August, the company said.

This investment will increase the port's current capacity to 980,000 from 750,000 TEUs per year.

In addition to seabed dredging, the port plans construction of 100 metres of quayside.

The entire multi-phase project will be completed by 2018 and has a price tag of EUR 78m.

The project is part of the port's long-term expansion designed to ensure a throughput of 1.4 million TEUs per year within ten years.

This will be achieved by relocating other cargo categories to alternative locations at the port.

However, the plan also rests on increasing rail freight capacity into the hinterland, a project that is currently stalled at government level due to financing concerns.