Monday 13 October 08 - 13:16
 

Container Handling Straddle Carriers

  • Kalmar innovations designed to speed stacking and automation

    01 Nov 2006

    Kalmar has developed a new heavy version of its Shuttle Carrier, the SHC 250 H. The 7g shuttle has capacity of 50 tons under the spreader and can handle twin 20-foot containers with fixed or extendable twin spreader.    

  • Isoloader outlet hopes to capitalise on European business

    01 Nov 2006

    Australia’s Isoloader has appointed a manager for Europe and is setting up a new company, Isoloader Europe, which aims to be up and running by the end of November.    

  • Tight tyre

    01 Nov 2006

    Tyre availability is still an issue for industrial and earthmover type machines – and therefore for straddle carrier manufacturers, says Kalmar’s Ilkka Annala.  

  • Flying high

    01 Nov 2006

    Bumper times for straddle carrier manufacturers look set to continue next year, despite escalating raw material costs. Felicity Landon reports  

Finance & Investment A Year in Review

  • ICTSI signs for $120m “war chest”

    01 Nov 2006

    International Container Terminals Services Inc (ICTSI) has signed a $120m Standby Credit Facility with a consortium of banks led by ABNAMRO Bank N.V. The facility is designed to complement ICTSI’s expansionist ambitions.  

  • Ports on investors’ radar

    01 Nov 2006

    The “deal machine”for ports is finally gathering momentum. Mike Mundy reports on what’s hot and what’s not  

Infrastructure Quay Piling and Corrosion

  • Alternative to ultrasonics

    01 Nov 2006

    Visual inspection and ultrasonics may be the most used forms of inspection for ALWC,but RTD Group also recommends RTD INCOTEST (which stands for INsulated COmponent TEST), a unique corrosion survey method that allows ferrous objects to be surveyed without the need to make contact with the surface. This means that measurements can be performed on objects covered with insulation, asbestos, fire proofing, concrete or coatings, thus avoiding the expense of removing such coatings.    

  • Eating into the Bottom Line

    01 Nov 2006

    Accelerated low water corrosion is becoming more widespread in sheet piling. David Foxwell looks at the latest thinking on how to tackle port nasties  

Iron Ore Bulk Handling

  • Australia raises the bar

    01 Nov 2006

    Ports down-under are readily stepping up to meet the challenge of supplying ever increasingly volumes of iron ore to China.Mike King reports  

News Africa

  • Durban shippers’ congestion despair

    01 Nov 2006

    Shippers, fed up with delays in container processing at Durban Container Terminal, have threatened to impose a surcharge. Just last month, an MOL ship was delayed by 200 hours, however the average wait is around three days.  

  • MOMBASA PRIVATISATION TEAM

    01 Nov 2006

    The Kenyan government has put together a committee that will oversee the privatisation of the container terminal at the port of Mombasa. However, the rest of the port will remain within public sector ownership.   

  • KPA EQUIPMENT BUY

    01 Nov 2006

    Kenya Ports Authority has acquired new handling equipment worth €3m, which forms part of a €5.44m modernisation programme begun in 2002.This includes 20 terminal tractors, five FLTs and a set of pollution-control equipment. A further 25 terminal tractors entered service in 2003-2005.  

  • Algeria mulls Mediterranean hub port plan

    01 Nov 2006

    The Algerian government is contemplating the construction of a new port, which would help reduce congestion at existing facilities,many of which are operating at 75% capacity. Although no definitive site has yet been identified, the favourite is Issers, where a 600,000 teu/year terminal could be built.   

  • Importers demand Port Harcourt overhaul

    01 Nov 2006

    Nigerian importers have asked the federal government to make immediate changes to the management of Port Harcourt.   

News Americas

  • West Coast ports must shape-up to retain cargoes

    06 Nov 2006

    US West Coast ports have some tough challenges ahead if they are to avoid the spectre of shipping lines diverting into ports in Mexico and elsewhere, according to Stacey Jones, Halcrow’s newly appointed regional director for the US West Coast.    

  • SAVI SECURES VIRGINIA TRACKING CONTRACT

    01 Nov 2006

    US security firm Savi Networks has won a contract to install Radio Frequency Identification based (RFID) technology information services at Virginia Port Authority terminals to enhance the security and efficiency of cargo container shipments.The network automatically tracks the location and security status of RFID tagged containers, sending realtime information to a web-based managed information service.    

  • San Antonio maps out future

    01 Nov 2006

    Chile's leading container hub, San Antonio, has released its Master Plan governing future development. The aim is to convert the port into a future logistics platform, which will make it the leading facility of its kind in South America.    

  • Mexico money on Monterrey

    01 Nov 2006

    A recent report issued in Mexico has shown that the port of Monterrey will become the principal multi-logistics centre in the country. By 2025, it is forecast it will be handling 15.5m tonnes of cargo annually.  

  • Colombian ports commit $120m for development

    01 Nov 2006

    Development projects put forward by Colombia's three leading Caribbean ports will absorb investment of $120m over the next few years.  

  • Cozumel reconstruction grinds to a halt

    01 Nov 2006

    The Mexican Ministry of Transport and Communications (SCT) has ordered SSA México to stop all reconstruction work it was undertaking on the quayside at the port of Cozumel, claiming it has not received authorisation to do this.    

  • BUENAVENTURA GOES IN HARD TO TACKLE CONGESTION

    01 Nov 2006

    The government and port authority of Buenaventura were forced to put a shock congestion reduction plan into effect as from September 1, improving conditions in the port. However, to alleviate pressure on stacking areas, 6,000 containers have had to be removed to off-dock areas.    

  • SHORTLIST GO HEAD-TO-HEAD FOR DPW’S US TERMINALS

    01 Nov 2006

    The shortlist of US companies in the running to take over terminal facilities currently owned by DP World now numbers five to eight.    

  • Guayaquil modifies concession terms

    01 Nov 2006

    There has been a change in terms and conditions attached to the concession to operate the port of Guayaquil, Ecuador.    

  • Shaw expands maritime services with GBB purchase

    01 Nov 2006

    Louisiana-based Shaw Group’s Environmental and Infrastructure operating unit has bought maritime engineering and design firm Gottlieb, Barnett & Bridges (GBB) to enhance its portfolio of services to government and commercial port and marine facility clients. GBB has been involved in the design and procurement of container and bulk handling equipment and waterfront facilities for over fifty years.    

  • MOFFATT & NICHOL $3.4M CHARLESTON CONTRACT

    01 Nov 2006

    Port planning specialist and engineer Moffatt & Nichol has been awarded a $3.4m contract to develop a marine container terminal at the former Charleston Naval Base in North Charleston, South Carolina.  

  • PERU END-YEAR DEADLINE FOR CRANE CHOICE

    01 Nov 2006

    Peru's National Ports Authority has announced that it will make an award in respect of new quayside gantry cranes for the port of Callao by the end of the year.The manufacturer will then have 18 months to assemble the cranes and have them operational by 2008.  

  • HPH takes control of Manta

    01 Nov 2006

    Manta Port Authority and Investment Holdings Corporation, a subsidiary of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), have signed a concession agreement covering the transfer of operations at the port to HPH.    

News Asia

  • COSCO FORMS MANAGEMENT CO

    01 Nov 2006

    Cosco Ports (71.43%) has formed a joint venture with Quanzhou Port Container  Company (28.57%), to be known as Quanzhou Pacific Container Terminal Co Ltd. The company will manage a four berth container terminal in Shihu Harbour, as well as overseeing construction of a fifth berth for containers and a multipurpose berth at Xiutu Harbour.  

  • GUANGZHOU DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

    01 Nov 2006

    APM Terminals has entered a joint venture agreement with Cosco Pacific to develop and manage the second phase of the container terminal at the Chinese port of Guangzhou. The port authority will also participate in the management company. The new facility will be operational by mid-2007 and have an annual handling capacity of 4.6m teu.  

  • MACQUARIE BUYS TERMINAL STAKES

    01 Nov 2006

    Hanjin Shipping is to sell a 40% stake in six of its container terminals to Macquarie Korea Opportunities Fund. The facilities involved are at Seattle, Long Beach in Oakland in the United States; Tokyo and Osaka in Japan; and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.The cost of the transaction is $252.1m.  

  • Rosneft commits Tuapse funding

    01 Nov 2006

    The Russian port of Tuapse is to receive investment of more than $2bn from oil pipeline operator Rosneft, which intends to use the port as its main export outlet.    

  • SSA in Vietnamese venture

    01 Nov 2006

    The Vietnamese government has approved the establishment of a jointventure between Saigon Port and SSA Marine to manage the SP-SSA International Container Terminal (SSIT) at Cai Mep-Thi Vai. Saigon Port, a subsidiary of Vietnam National Shipping Lines Corporation (Vinalines), already operates five terminals in southern Vietnam, amounting to 3,000 metres of berthing line.  

  • HIT smashes through 100m teu barrier

    01 Nov 2006

    Hongkong International Terminals celebrates the 100m teu handling mark, a world record for Hong Kong’s busiest port. Guest of honour Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Bureau (middle),joined John Meredith, group managing director of Hutchison Port Holdings (left) and Eric Ip, managing director of HIT (right) in commemorating the occasion.  

  • Kalmar stakes claim in Thai success

    01 Nov 2006

    Port equipment supplier Kalmar has broken new ground in Thailand, with more than 20 of its RTGs in operation in the country’s ports.    

  • NEW TERMINAL FOR SOUTH KOREA

    01 Nov 2006

    The South Korean port of Pyeongtaek is to build a new private container terminal. The work, which will be completed in 2009, will cost $143.1m.The terminal will be equipped with three quay cranes and have an annual capacity of 375,000 teu.  

  • Japan Y22m commitment to support Sri Lanka projects

    01 Nov 2006

    The Government of Japan has pledged a sum of Yen 21,559m to Sri Lanka under its Official Development Assistance loan scheme in support of development efforts of the country, including the first phase of the Galle Port Development Project.    

  • CHINESE SNIFFING AROUND BARRANQUILLA

    01 Nov 2006

    The Chinese government has expressed an interest in the port project being developed at Barranquilla in Colombia on the western bank of the river of the same name.The port will handle exported coal from the Caribbean coast and interior.  

  • CHENNAI FAVOURS PSA CONSORTIUM

    01 Nov 2006

    The PSA/Sical Logistics consortium is all set to be awarded the concession to build and operate the second container terminal at India's Chennai port.The consortium's 45% revenue share bid is the second highest ever made for a port project in India.  

  • SHANGHAI GROUP SEAL ZEEBRUGGE DEAL

    01 Nov 2006

    APM Terminals and Shanghai International Port Group have signed an agreement giving the Chinese company a 40% equity stake in APM Terminals    

  • ZAO RETURNS TO KONE

    01 Nov 2006

    St Petersburg’s ZAO First Container Terminal has returned to Konecranes for two panamax ship-to-shore container cranes, to be delivered at the end of 2007 under a €10m order.  

  • All talk at Kochi as voice response system is installed

    01 Nov 2006

    Rajiv Gandhi Container Terminal operated by India Gateway Terminal, has introduced an Interactive Voice Response System,linked to SMS and the tracking of containers via the internet.    

  • Liebherr fixes sights on Indian subcontinent

    01 Nov 2006

    Liebherr is looking to build on its position on the Indian subcontinent, keen to be involved in one of the fastest growing economies in the world, which is increasing by 6% a year on average.    

  • Six in the frame at Karachi

    01 Nov 2006

    PSA International, APM Terminals and DP World are the three highest profile bidders for the new deepwater container port project due for construction at Karachi.This new facility will be built at Keamari Groyne. Three other companies are also apparently still in the running.    

  • HPH barred from Mumbai bidding

    01 Nov 2006

    Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) will not be able to participate in the bidding for a new container terminal planned for the Indian port of Mumbai.    

News Australasia

  • NZ shipping strategy gathers support

    01 Nov 2006

    Introduction of a national ports policy and development of relevant port infrastructure to support an enhanced coastal shipping operation are key components of the New Zealand Shipping Federation’s draft maritime transport strategy.    

  • Wharf plan mooted by Marlborough

    01 Nov 2006

    Port Marlborough has unveiled a multimillion dollar conceptual plan to create an enhanced inter-island ferry terminal and separate its cruise shipping activity on a new 200-metre wharf.    

  • TAURANGA MAINTAINS LEADING EXPORT STATUS

    01 Nov 2006

    Statistics New Zealand has confirmed Port of Tauranga is the country’s leading export port, with a total value of goods annually exported of NZ$7.3bn (up 2.8% for the financial year) and annual volume of goods exported of 6.1m tonnes (down 3.3%).  

  • WATERFRONT STADIUM PLAN SLAMMED

    01 Nov 2006

    New Zealand’s transportation industry has been scathing of a suggestion by Rugby World Cup Minister Trevor Mallard that Ports of Auckland’s Axis Bledisloe container terminal could be used to develop a stadium for the 2011 event. With an upgrade to Auckland’s Eden Park priced at about NZ$300m, the Government has announced it is now evaluating the waterfront site.    

  • Mooring Systems keen on Cavotec merger

    01 Nov 2006

    Vacuum-mooring pioneer Mooring Systems has announced plans for a “reverse takeover” with its Dutch business partner Cavotec to form a top- 50 New Zealand-listed company.      

  • Breakthrough for New Zealand ports as Tauranga and Auckland discuss pairing

    01 Nov 2006

    New Zealand may be on the brink of finally embracing genuine port rationalisation after the country’s two major container gateways announced they are discussing ways in which the two companies can work together, including the possibility of a merger.    

News Europe

  • STRONG RESULTS BOOST SOUTH WALES

    01 Nov 2006

    Cargo handled at Associated British Ports’ South Wales Ports climbed by more than 5% over the same period in 2005 in the first half of the year.   

  • HPH EYES GIOIA TAURO

    01 Nov 2006

    Hutchison Whampoa group president, Li Ka-shing,has indicated a strong interest in participating in the Italian port of Gioia Tauro. Indeed, a meeting has been held with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi to this effect. The port, which is in the Calabria region of Italy,handled 1.6m teu last year.  

  • Bromma Group celebrates new order swathe

    01 Nov 2006

    Stockholm-based Bromma Group has won new orders for 23 of its Marathon spreaders from container crane manufacturer OEM Kone Cranes.    

  • IPSWICH DEAL STUNTS TRUCKS

    01 Nov 2006

    An agreement between Associated British Ports’Port of Ipswich and Solvay Chemicals will remove in excess of 100,000 lorry miles from the UK’s roads annually.  

  • Zeebrugge welcomes new box handling arrival

    01 Nov 2006

    A new container terminal in Belgium has been officially opened at the Albert II dock,Zeebrugge. The multi-user facility has a 16 metre deepwater draft and no lock or river restrictions. Seven post-panamax gantry cranes are installed and it has a fully automated gate for trucks.   

  • Felixstowe deal extends Savi’s UK cover

    01 Nov 2006

     

  • Construction of Maasvlakte 2 given go-ahead for 2008 start

    01 Nov 2006

    Maasvlakte 2 has had the green light from Dutch Parliament, who voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of the construction the new port district of Rotterdam.  

  • Grangemouth’s great aims

    01 Nov 2006

    The Port of Grangemouth is expanding its container handling capability. Forth Ports, operator of the container terminal at Grangemouth, has added two new quayside gantries, upgraded the terminal’s landside handling equipment, expanded the terminal area and upgraded maintenance facilities.    

  • Fuerteventura needs revamp

    01 Nov 2006

    The Canary Islands Port of Fuerteventura is considered obsolete and is strangling the economy of the small island. 
     

  • PIREAUS GROWTH

    01 Nov 2006

     

  • NINE BID FOR SAGUNTO VEHICLE TERMINAL

    01 Nov 2006

    Nine companies are expected to bid for the new vehicle terminal at the Spanish Mediterranean port of Sagunto. Investment will total €2.88m and involve paving 120,000 sq m between Muelle Sur and Muelle de la Costa.   

  • VALENCIA EXTENSION AWARDED

    01 Nov 2006

    Valencia port authority has awarded a contract to a joint-venture consisting of Ferrovial Agromán and Ocide Construcción in respect of the extension of Levante Quay at a cost of €12bn.  

  • GRUPO MARITIMO ATTRACTS INVESTORS

    01 Nov 2006

    A group of institutional investors headed by Deutsche Bank has taken a 37% stake in Barcelona-based Grupo Marítimo TCB.The Pérez company retains a 42% stake.  

  • Rotterdam still keen on cooperation with Zeeland

    01 Nov 2006

    Zeeland Seaports and the Port of Rotterdam Authority have been cited as reasons for the lacklustre past relations. Hans Smits, chief executive of the  port authority, said: “It is to our advantage to remain involved in  developments in Zeeland. If Zeeland and Rotterdam can exploit the port of Vlissingen to the full, we can achieve a unique position for the Netherlands in the container market along the Schelde estuary.”   

  • EU FUND FINANCES LAS PALMAS WORK

    01 Nov 2006

    Las Palmas port authority is to finance 35% of planned infrastructure work at the port using €140m sourced from the European Union's Feder fund. Among the work to be financed is the reinforcement and upgrading of the container terminal at Arrecife costing €262,000, and the creation of a €16m dyke.  

  • Southampton committed to increasing UK box capacity

    01 Nov 2006

    The Port of Southampton has thrown its bid to increase UK container handling capacity into the ring, pledging to raise current volumes by at least 3.7m teu.    

News Products and Services

  • Strong growth for Netherlance

    01 Nov 2006

    A new solution developed by Dutch developer Netherlance (a division of Meeusen Industry & Marine Services BV), has transformed the Thermic or Thermal Lance into an instrument that can work with millimetre precision.    

  • Illuminating ideas for ports

    01 Nov 2006

    Lighting specialist Chalmit Lighting has developed a new emergency wall/ bulkhead light for application in extreme environments.    

  • Innovative sediment remediation technology

    01 Nov 2006

    An innovative treatment solution for contaminated sediment has been developed by Virotec Europe in the UK, which believes that the problems associated with contaminated sediment – including acidity and heavy metals – can be effectively decontaminated in the long-term using the company’s ViroSoil technology.    

  • Ports simulator removes operational uncertainty

    01 Nov 2006

    Flexsim Software Products has released a 3D discrete-event simulation softwaretool to model and simulate container port and terminal operations.    

Planning & Design Multi-purpose Terminals

  • Portfocus CuxPort finds niche

    01 Nov 2006

    Not all multi-purpose terminals have evolved out of older-style general cargo operations. Some, such as CuxPort in Germany, are purposedesigned multi-purpose terminals, CuxPort having been designed on behalf of Niedersächsisches Hafenamt Cuxhaven and CuxPort Seehafen-Dienstleistungs by Sellhorn Ingenieurgesellschaft.  

  • Widening the Parameters

    01 Nov 2006

    The rationale behind becoming a ‘multi-purpose’terminal rather than a single purpose terminal is obvious, but David Foxwell finds that the process is not as straightforward as it might seem  

  • Multi-dimensional

    01 Nov 2006

    Apart from issues such as water depth and hinterland connections, there are a number of important constraints on development that need to be considered before transitioning to a multi-purpose terminal.These include:

    ●The lengths and specifications of berths for vessel types that will use the terminal

    ● Is a ro-ro berth also required?

    ● Is sufficient space available for storage of containers?

    ● Is a covered storage area available for consolidation/break-up of unitised cargo?

    ● If the facility is likely to be converted into a specialised facility at a later date, is sufficient space available (initial allocation of space within the terminal should be capable of adjustment at a later date to ensure continued development)

     

Port Profile Jebel Ali

  • Home, sweet home

    01 Nov 2006

    DP World has captured headlines around the world for its tenacious port purchasing power.Alex Hughes heads back to where it all began  

Post Script

  • Party poopers

    01 Nov 2006

    Southampton’s sensible UKport development proposal throws yet more doubt on the increasingly expensive alternative options  

Regional Survey Japan, Korea & Taiwan

  • Busan invites applications for third phase of popular industrial park

    01 Nov 2006

    Busan invites applications for third phase of popular industrial park  

  • United by Excess

    01 Nov 2006

    Korean ports must come together to realise the nation’s goal of becoming the centre of Asia’s economic powerhouse  

  • Fighting talk

    01 Nov 2006

    A five-year plan to boost Taiwan’s ports could move the island back into the premier league  

  • Living in the past

    01 Nov 2006

    Japan once had a strong presence in global rankings, but it needs a sea change in portstrategy if it is to regain former glories  

  • Chasing shadows

    01 Nov 2006

    China’s long shadow has cast traditional marketing strategies in neighbouring Japan,Korea and Taiwan into doubt. Wing Kah-goh finds out how their ports are fighting back  

Special Report Middle East

  • Double take

    01 Nov 2006

    Upper Gulf keen to secure its share of region’s port business with additional terminals planned to serve the north  

  • Aqaba’s changing fortunes

    01 Nov 2006

    APM Terminal’s helping hand has lifted throughput at Jordan’s primary port.    

  • One to watch

    01 Nov 2006

    While Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Sharjah have led the way in port development in the United Arab Emirates,Ras Al Khaimah has played something of a secondary role. However, rising cargo volumes have prompted the Emirate to announce the development a second port facility costing €23m.    

  • Win-win for Sharjah

    01 Nov 2006

    Sustained growth in throughput at Sharjah’s key arteries has been attributed to the changing logistics environment in the United Arab Emirates, particularly the core industrial and commercial corridor between Jebel Ali and Sharjah/Ajman.    

  • Middle Eastern riches

    01 Nov 2006

    The Gulf is a hotbed of port development as nations vie for cargo business.Alex Hughes makes sense of the frantic pace    

The Economist Opinion

  • Hinterland headaches in North Europe

    01 Nov 2006

    A number of studies have been completed, and most likely some are still in progress, that have addressed the issue of the origin and destination of cargo from the “natural hinterland of the major European ports”. In theory this should not be a hard task to achieve, but in practice there are many obstacles in place that obfuscate the reality.    

The Insurer

  • North Korean insurance blues

    01 Nov 2006

    Very recent news from North Korea leads this correspondent to suppose that very soon the country’s shipping industry will come under further scrutiny and restrictions. To some extent the precedents have already given observers a flavour of things to come. And insurance will probably feature.    

The Strategist

View Point

  • Foreign bodies

    01 Nov 2006

    Space to expand, government backing and support from terminal operators – sounds like any port authority’s dream. But Rotterdam has never been one for dreaming. Here’s a port that has always been one step ahead of the game. In the 1950s growing ship calls prompted the construction of Botlek and Eemhaven,followed by deep-draught Europoort in the 1960s and reclaimed Maasvlakte in the 1970s.Now the authority has received the all-important parliamentary approval for Maasvlakte 2, the answer to today’s capacity crunch.  

Motorship