Monday 13 October 08 - 13:04
 

Bevis Marks

  • A question of commissions

    01 Jan 2006

    The question of commissions in insurance is sensitive, in relation to the amounts which are paid to brokers. Insurance brokers for ports and terminals are specialists. They can earn as much as 20% of the premium paid, especially if there is a chain of intermediaries involved. 

Breakbulk Handling Bagged Cargoes

  • Follow the Mantra

    01 Jan 2006

    These issues are certainly not confined to less-developed countries alone. While containerisation has spread into most of the world's trade routes, there will always be a certain amount of breakbulk that will be shipped through them as well.
     

  • Bags of Concern

    01 Jan 2006

    Daniel C. Negron, vice president in the US for Thomas Miller, managers of the TT Club, offers some tips on dealing with the handling problems presented by breakbulk cargoes. 

Bulk Handling Pneumatic Unloaders

  • What about the workers?

    01 Jan 2006

    Because pneumatic unloaders produce less dust emission, equipment operators consequently inhale lower quantities of dust which makes them safer to work with. In comparison to grabs, from which material can so easily escape, practically nothing gets out of an enclosed pneumatic discharge operation. This lack of dust is much more notable during hold cleaning operations, which is when grab operatives are much more exposed to unwanted atmospheric discharges. So for those workers deployed in the hold during grab operations, safety issues remain a real concern. 

  • How green is your machine?

    01 Jan 2006

    Manufacturers of pneumatic systems are becoming increasingly vocal when stressing the environmentally friendly nature of their products. But exactly how friendly are pneumatic unloaders? Alex Hughes went to find out. 

Container Handling Rtgs

  • Bigger, Smarter, Greener

    01 Jan 2006

    The current boom in port development is creating record demand for new RTGs and they are getting bigger, smarter and greener, writes Benedict Young. 

Engineering Planning & Design Fendering

  • Beware of getting locked in

    01 Jan 2006

    Would you purchase a vehicle that provided marginally better performance or was marginally less expensive than conventional vehicles, but had only one supplier on the planet for replacement parts? Where even basic maintenance items will have a long lead time and a handsome price tag. 

  • Buffer against competitive failure

    01 Jan 2006

    With bigger vessels in the offing for the main East-West trades, and the "cascade effect" showering incumbent vessels down to some of the feeder routes, what are the implications in terms of fendering requirements? Dave MacIntyre reports. 

Marketing Container Terminal Pricing

  • The Art of the Impossible

    01 Jan 2006

    Containerisation has fundamentally changed the way cargo handling services are paid for. Gustaaf de Monie explores an intricate subject. 

Navigation Offshore Towage & Berthing

  • A taste of life Offshore

    01 Jan 2006

    As a new generation of LNG tankers looms, the terminals for such ships will - in most instances - be located far from conventional, sheltered harbours. David Foxwell investigates. 

  • Mooring solution could prevent interruptions

    01 Jan 2006

    Two German companies have teamed to develop a new type of mooring system for vessels in exposed locations of the type likely to be used for the new generation of offshore LNG terminals. Working in close collaboration with Hatlapa, the new mooring concept was developed by Marine Service GmbH, a Hamburg-based consultancy that specialises in LNG ships and handling and transport of liquefied gases. The new mooring equipment will be the subject of a series of tests that are due to be conducted with Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN). 

News Americas

  • Libra promises capacity boost

    01 Jan 2006

    In the next two years Santos port operator Libra Terminais is to boost box handling capacity by 50%. However, this depends on the port authority carrying out two commitments it agreed to when awarding the company the concession for Terminal 35: realigning an existing rail link which is disrupting productivity, and dredging two berths. 

  • NEW YORK/ NEW JERSEY

    01 Jan 2006

    The port authority has outlined core marketing and operational strategies focusing on adding all-water services to and from Asia; 

  • TAX BREAK PROMPTS BRAZILIAN INVESTMENT

    01 Jan 2006

    The decision to waive import charges on port handling equipment for three years has prompted a rethink on the level of investment originally envisaged for the Acu Terminal, in Sao Joao da Barra. This should help speed up implementation of what is a $1bn initial development phase. The terminal, which will eventually cover 2,000 ha, will be capable of servicing iron ore reserves estimated at 1bn tons. 

  • Carolinas' ambitions

    01 Jan 2006

    Nine shipping lines and terminal operators form part of three proposals submitted to the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA), requesting participation in the development of a new three berth, 280 acre terminal in Charleston on the former US Naval Complex, SCSPA has announced. 

  • California governor

    01 Jan 2006

     

News Asia/rest Of World

  • Raising the roof in Tema

    01 Jan 2006

    Ghana's local stevedores association has appointed a lawyer to object to a concession granted to SDV and AP Moller to run the new Tema container terminal. The local stevedores say the procedure has not been transparent and that the process, involving a state asset, didn't go to open tender as prescribed by the procurement board. They will also be inviting the World Bank look at the process. 

  • NZ ports mull post merger reshuffle

    01 Jan 2006

    New Zealand's ports are jostling for business as a potential over-tonnaging situation develops following Maersk's absorption of P&O Nedlloyd and its subsequent withdrawal of that line from services such as the "Eastabout" and "Westabout" Vessel Sharing Arrangements (VSAs) to Europe. 

  • Colombo's facelift

    01 Jan 2006

    The government of Sri Lanka is to invest US$1bn in order to boost capacity at Colombo to 4m TEUs. This will involve the construction of the Colombo South Harbour project which will occupy a 600-hectare site. The facility, which will have 12 berths, is to be developed in two phases.
     

  • Eurogate acquires Tanger 2

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • KLANG OPTS FOR DIESEL-ELECTRIC STRADS

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • MOMBASA

    01 Jan 2006

    The World Bank has loaned the Kenyan government US$120m to enhance security at the port of Mombasa, including bankrolling a US$69m modernisation programme. 

  • COCHIN

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • CHENNAI

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • Indian infrastructure needs US$150bn

    01 Jan 2006

    India's Transport Minister, T R Baalu, recently announced that his country is seeking up to US$150bn to fund port, road and other transport infrastructure projects. 

  • Calcutta Port Trust

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • CHINESE PORTS IN HONG KONG IPOS

    01 Jan 2006

    Tianjin Port Development Holdings is seeking to raise US$100m on the Hong Kong stock exchange while Xiamen International Port aims to raise $150m through an IPO on the same exchange. They hope to attract investors following a 30% increase in box traffic at both ports during 2005. 

  • YANGSHAN

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • DPW still confident

    01 Jan 2006

    DP World believes its bid for P&O will succeed, despite the intervention of Singapore's PSA in the takeover contest. 

  • WEST BENGAL

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • SOHAR

    01 Jan 2006

    Hutchison Port Holdings is leading a consortium of investors which includes the government of Oman and C Steinweg Handelsveem of the Netherlands, in building a 10-berth container terminal at Sohar in Oman. 

  • PARADIP

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • China needs dry-bulk investment

    01 Jan 2006

    Industry professionals have identified a problem with Chinese ports handling iron ore and coal imports. Perennial delays it is claimed, are harming economic growth. 

  • IMPSA on a roll

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • KANDLA

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • MTL investing in Dachan Bay

    01 Jan 2006

     

News Europe

  • GENOA

    01 Jan 2006

    Genoa Port Authority will go out to tender over the next two months for the construction and financing of a €4bn expansion and modernisation plan. 

  • BARCELONA

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • Rotterdam

    01 Jan 2006

    Rotterdam handled 369m tons of cargo in 2005 and Antwerp handled 160m. This represented 5% growth for both ports. 

  • SHORTSEA

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • SINES REPORTS MODEST 2005 PROFIT

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • TEESPORT

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • Felixstowe gets green light

    01 Jan 2006

    At time of press, Felixstowe's expansion plans - Felixstowe South - were expected to get the green light from Government imminently. This follows news late last year that Hutchison Port Holdings' neighbouring project at Bathside Bay was also likely to get the go-ahead together with P&O Ports' London Gateway on the Thames, both these latter two being conditional on upgrading local infrastructure. A major government ports policy review will then by announced. 

  • Port services directive buried

    01 Jan 2006

    The European Parliament has rejected the second Proposal of the European Commission to regulate market access to port services with a massive majority of 532 out of 677. 

  • PORTLAND

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • CADIZ BAY INVESTMENT PLAN

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • SAFMARINE OPTS FOR LA LUZ

    01 Jan 2006

    Las Palmas-based La Luz Container Terminal which covers an area of 20,000 sq m, has signed an agreement to handle transhipment traffic on behalf of Maersk affiliate Safmarine. Three of the company's services linking northern Europe with West Africa will henceforth call at the terminal which should amount to annual traffic of 10,000TEUs. 

News Products & Systems

  • RTGS FOR CUT

    01 Jan 2006

    California United Terminals (CUT) at Long Beach has ordered five 16-wheel all-electric RTGs from KCI Konecranes. The investment will replace older diesel hydraulic units. 

  • 50% of planning time lost on re-scheduling

    01 Jan 2006

    67% of oil and bulk shipping companies believe fleet scheduling is getting more difficult. The majority of fleet chartering and scheduling managers spend half of their working week re-planning existing schedules according to a survey of oil and bulk carriers by scheduling software specialist, Magenta Technology. 56% of respondents said that they spend between two to three days per week re-scheduling their fleet because of changes in orders, with 11% spending up to the full working week on re-scheduling. 

  • Liebherr chalks them up

    01 Jan 2006

    Four one-over-five RTGs for Petrolesport, St Petersburg; another similar RTG for Dublin; and another for Immingham mark Liebherr Container Cranes' start to the year. 

  • MHCS FOR BRAZIL

    01 Jan 2006

    Brazilian terminal operator Tecondi has ordered two post-Panamax LHM 500 HD MHCs from Liebherr Nenzing.
     

  • Simplifying speed measurement

    01 Jan 2006

    The purpose of the lasers in a Berthing Aid System is to measure speed of the approaching ships in order to ensure safe berthing. In ports with large tidal range, problems arise at low tide because the ships are lower than the lasers. The previous models of lasers simply 'shoot' over the side of a small ship at low tide. 

  • VETERANS INDUSTRY APPLY TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

    01 Jan 2006

    Transportation industry veterans have launched a new information technology firm focused on helping the container shipping industry address transportation challenges. TransTech Partners has been founded by Catherine Tiersten, former coo of Global Transportation Solutions and Steven W. Bushey, former President of Americas Systems. 

  • VAN OORD RECLAIMS IN BAHRAIN

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • AutoStrad terminal enters new period

    01 Jan 2006

    The world's first fully automated straddle carrier (AutoStrad) system started large-scale operations in Patrick Corporation's Fisherman Islands' facility in Brisbane when Berths 7, 8, and 9 officially opened for business in December. 

News Safety & Security

  • mini-diggers

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • Club ponders anti-smoking laws

    01 Jan 2006

    Spain has joined the increasing list of countries that prohibit smoking in enclosed public spaces. Canada, Norway and New Zealand as well as certain states of the US such as California, Florida, New York and Washington have already enacted legislation, while in the UK, Parliament will be deciding the issue this year. In fact legislators are often lagging behind employers themselves, many of whom have already banned smoking in their offices and other enclosed workspaces. 

  • CHITTAGONG

    01 Jan 2006

     

  • NY/NJ

    01 Jan 2006

     

Port Profile Lagos

  • Lagos End Game

    01 Jan 2006

    APM Terminals looks set to take over the Apapa Container Terminal in Lagos, Nigeria but will this prove to be a double-edged sword? Mike Mundy reports. 

Port Profile Nansha

  • A pearl where it's needed

    01 Jan 2006

    A new container port is adding to the competition for traffic in the Pearl River Delta region. James Macpherson considers what Nansha has to offer. 

Regional Survey Middle East

  • Ports surf the growth wave

    01 Jan 2006

    As the UAE and other regional players steer their economies onward and upward, their ports are racing to keep up with demand, both actual and forecast. Nick Elliott reports. 

Regional Survey West Africa

The Economist

  • Time to reflect on the broader economic future for 2006

    01 Jan 2006

    The global economy has once again surprised pessimists by its tremendous staying power, replacing past concerns that global growth might falter with inflationary worries, fuelled by high and rising oil prices. We see growth slowing marginally this year, compared to last, but if the almighty consumer does not lose heart we can expect a relatively good year. 

Towage Navigation

  • Safety and quality paramount

    01 Jan 2006

    Towage companies whose core business is aimed principally at providing ship-handling services are becoming increasingly concerned with the need to comply with recognised international standards for quality and safety. Jack Gaston reports. 

  • Where are the benefits?

    01 Jan 2006

    Jack Gaston approached Stephen Eastwood ceo Europe, of Adsteam Towage - for PS, with some important questions relating to the application of ISO and ISM standards. 

Viewpoint

  • Use this rich era of growth to clean up our act

    01 Jan 2006

    Economist Ben Hackett rings in the new year with some positive news. Despite predictions to the contrary, the global economy is in robust shape and will remain so, provided of course the 'almighty' consumer (you and me) does not lose heart. 

Motorship