Maasvlakte 2, the port of Rotterdam expansion, is taking on more shape all the time. Around 190 million cubic meter of sand have now been sprayed on. Shortly, the new land will be protected on the western side against the sea by around 6km of dunes. Between February and the end of April 2011, contractor PUMA will be planting 4km on the seaward side of these dunes with marram grass. This will largely be done by hand. The marram grass will bind the sand of the new dunes, preventing erosion.

Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited (better known as APM Terminals Pipavav) has announced its results for the financial year 2010. Last year, marks a turnaround year for Port Pipavav as it recorded the 'best ever' results in the history of the company with a 29% increase in revenues and 134% increase in EBITDA, turning profitable for the first time in its history.

South African port operator Transnet Port Terminals is gearing up for the biggest test in its nationwide rollout of the Navis SPARCS N4 terminal operating system when the system is introduced at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) on Sunday, 27 March 2011, along with a new automated entry gate system for trucks.

Reports are coming in confirming that four US nationals held on board a yacht by Somali pirates were shot dead. The SV Quest was seized by Somalis off the coast of Oman on 18 February whilst it was taking part in a sailing expedition through the high risk area.

Peter Davie, Chief Executive at Lyttelton Port has provided us with the following update on the situation in Christchurch. The 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday 22 February caused further damage to Lyttelton Port of Christchurch infrastructure and facilities. Our priority is for the safety of all staff and we can advise that fortunately there were no injuries sustained at the port. Engineers and civil maintenance staff have carried out extensive structural checks. A summary of assessments is as below.

Tropical Cyclone Carlos passed north of Port Hedland overnight and is now expected to pass close to Port Walcott and Dampier later today. It is too early to advise if there has been any damage to Port Hedland. However, major damage is unlikely as the cyclone remained offshore. It is expected that vessels may start berthing at Port Hedland this morning.

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch, New Zealand wishes to advise that the port has sustained further damage from yesterday's series of aftershocks in Christchurch.

This article was published in the January/February 2011 issue of World Port Development.  To receive a pdf of the article in its original format including charts and pictures please send an email to archive@worldportdevelopment.com

 

Got the picture?

Manzanillo Container Terminal reaps the benefits of a virtual world in which personnel can control the flow of cargo visually and interactively. WPD reports…

 

Success as a terminal operator hinges on the ability to move cargo as quickly, safely and cost effectively as possible. At the average container terminal, container handling equipment like rubber tyred gantries (RTGs) and terminal tractors serve a dedicated quay crane with the help of yard clerks who dispatch work assignments to equipment operators on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This article was published in the January/February 2011 issue of World Port Development.  To receive a pdf of the article in its original format including charts and pictures please send an email to archive@worldportdevelopment.com

 

Positive news and views from straddle carrier makers

 

Despite some recent market uncertainty caused by the unsteady economic climate, straddle and shuttle carrier manufacturers are reflecting on the past year with positive news and positive views. Tim Newbound speaks to manufacturers Cargotec and Terex about working with customers to optimise uptime and reduce total cost of ownership, and gets an update on Liebherr’s entrance into the straddle carrier market.

 

Various options

Cargotec, the parent company manufacturer of Kalmar’s container handling solutions, cites examples of contemporary terminal operations to explain the various options provided by straddle carriers.

This article was published in the January/February 2011 issue of World Port Development.  To receive a pdf of the article in its original format including charts and pictures please send an email to archive@worldportdevelopment.com

 

It’s full circle for Circular Stacker Reclaimer makers

 

Several major manufacturers of circular stacker-reclaimers could be excused for feeling they have come full circle from good times, to bad times and back to good once more, or almost, as Ray Dykes explains.

 

While some European countries struggle with debt loads that seem insurmountable, and other nations elsewhere plough in more stimulus money on top of earlier stimulus money for construction and job-creating projects, it seems resource-hungry countries like China, India and Brazil have serious growth goals in mind, despite the rest of the world’s troubles.