Faster waterways transit

P&O Maritime Logistics’ new inland river route connects the Caspian Sea to DP World Yarımca in via the Russian inland waterways offering a more environmentally-friendly and faster connection compared with road-based transport.

“With land transport making up 95% of total carbon emissions for the transport sector, this new river-sea based route is more cost effective and environmentally-friendly than cargo transport,” said Martin Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics.

“With this solution we can reduce carbon emissions by 17% or 0.5 tonnes per container, saving the customer on average 10-20% of the cost compared with trucking and bring the cargo to the destination 15% faster compared with rail, enabling our customers a range of benefits.”

Multiple advantages

The Turkey – Caspian line is being set up by P&O Maritime Logistics with the support of DP World Yarımca and several other DP World group companies, will provide regular container based shipping between these markets for the first time.

It will put P&O Maritime Logistics in a good position to facilitate even closer trade connections between Turkish businesses and the region through DP World Yarımca with direct shipping via the Russian river systems into Aktau and Turkmenbashi ports in the Caspian Sea.

The new line utilising P&O Maritime Logistics’ Multi Carrying Vessel (MCV) will mainly transport containerised products such as industrial machines, construction materials, textiles, cosmetics, white goods, and marble, while additionally offering a convenient service for breakbulk and project cargo.

It’s expected that at least two more MCV type vessels will be outfitted and classed for container carriage for the new line’s launch in the coming months.

And it’s a win win arrangement for both logistics firm and terminal operator.

The service will make the terminal more attractive for existing customers and help to attract new ones.

“The new Turkey – Caspian line between Turkey and the Caspian Sea makes the movement of goods more streamlined and less costly,” said Kris Adams, CEO of DP World Yarımca.

“With our knowledge of the trade networks between these countries, we are aiming to support our customers to be more competitive in these markets”

He added that with trade booming between these regions, the opening of a new sea route will undoubtedly be a boon to firms operating in these markets.

Specialised services

P&O Maritime Logistics is a leading provider of marine solutions with a focus on offshore energy, port services and logistics. The company owns and operates approximately 400 vessels and provides a wide portfolio of value-added marine services.

One of the largest container terminals in the Marmara region, located on a land of 46 hectares, DP World Yarımca is capable of handling 1.3 million teu with a team of 500 employees.

The terminal commenced operations in 2015 with an investment of US$550 million. It has been labelled as the first and only specialised port in the İzmit Gulf, catering to purpose-oriented container transportation business and using the most cutting-edge technologies in its operations.

DP World Yarımca’s advanced reporting portal provides customers with various services and data including container inquiry, berth and vessel program, vehicle appointment, storage calculation, verified gross mass and service requests.

Having recently added a number of leading LCL companies to its customer portfolio, the terminal offers a fast LCL cargo service from any Far Eastern port to İstanbul thanks to its 4,000 sqm indoor warehouse.

The terminal itself is equipped with super-post panamax quay cranes and environmentally friendly electrified rubber tyred gantry cranes (e-RTGs) used for yard handling activities.

As a part of DP World Yarımca’s continuous improvement philosophy to create supply chain efficiencies, all Super Post Panamax STS cranes are equipped with remote control system, the first of their kind in Turkey.