Original news was published 21 December, 2017

Port Corpus Christi has approved a contract for the construction of an additional 25 acre (10.1 ha) laydown yard for the storage of wind turbine components and other breakbulk cargo.

The first phase of the project comprises a 10 acre (4 ha) laydown yard, which will be available by the end of the first quarter of 2018. The additional 15 acre (6 ha) laydown yard will be available in the following months.

The wind turbine cargo volumes handled via the port have increased steadily over the past several years, says Port Corpus Christi. Jarl Pedersen, chief commercial officer, explained: "Port authorities play an important role within the supply chain to help customers and users successfully execute major wind turbine projects.

"We also recognise the continued innovation in the wind energy industry and need to make infrastructure investments allowing us to offer competitive solutions for transport of ever larger wind turbine components."

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published 21 December, 2017

The Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA) and APM Terminals (APMT) have announced a USD 49.5 million expansion of the container facility at the Port of Mobile.

The duo will jointly deliver a Phase 3 expansion that includes a dock extension and an additional 20 acres of improved yard to maintain excess capacity, ASPA and APMT said in a statement.

When completed, the facility is expected to accommodate an annual throughput capacity of 650,000 TEU.

“The Phase 3 expansion enables us to stay well ahead of the growth pattern we’ve seen in the Port of Mobile, as well as add dock space to support the growing vessel sizes that are coming to the terminal,” Brian Harold, managing director for APM Terminals Mobile, commented.

The Phase 3 is part of a 5 Phase, long-term plan that can grow the terminal’s annual throughput capacity to 1.5 million TEU. Under the Phase 3 development, a 400-foot dock extension, super Post-Panamax crane rails and upgrades to the fender system will accommodate 14,000 TEU ships.

The dock extension will take approximately 24 months to complete, while the yard will take 18 months to complete. When completed, Phase 3 will complement the recently commissioned Phase II investments that delivered 20 acres and installed two new super Post-Panamax cranes.

Since 2005, the Port Authority and its partners have invested USD 535 million in shore-side and channel improvements to support the larger ships calling the Port of Mobile.

*NEWS SOURCE

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018
See you @ OPCA 4th AGM BKK Thailand
CLICK HERE!

Original news was published 18 December, 2017

Hutchison Ports' BEST semi-automated terminal in Bareclona has broken its own throughput record, breaking through the 1M moves/year barrier on 15th December

The millionth container move is equivalent to around 1.8M TEU. The landmark container was loaded aboard the 13,800-TEU MSC BETTINA operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Commenting on the terminal’s achievement, Guillermo Belcastro, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports BEST, said: "We are proud of reaching this latest milestone. The new record highlights BEST’s value proposition delivering the highest berth efficiency in the Mediterranean and the fastest delivery processes for trucks and trains. This way we are able to deliver our customers the perfect service combination at seaside and landside of the terminal.”

Since its official opening in September 2012, BEST has continued to set new standard for ports in the region: it has achieved a Vessel Operating Rate of more than 220 moves per hour and a sustained annual average gross quay crane rate of over 40 moves per hour.

BEST currently has 11 super post-Panamax quay cranes, all of them capable of servicing ultra-large container vessels, 48 ASCs and 26 shuttle carriers operating along a berth line of 1,500 metres with a draft of 16.5m.

This record is aligned with the Port of Barcelona’s container volume growth of 33% up to November 2017.

Hutchison Ports, BEST (Barcelona Europe South Terminal) is the first semi-automated terminal in the Hutchison Ports Group.

*NEWS SOURCE

We are glad to inform you that V.PACK & MOVE (BANGKOK) CO., LTD. has become the Name Badge Sponsor for OPCA 4th AGM INO Summit 2018 Bangkok, Thailand. With their sponsorship V.PACK & MOVE (BANGKOK) CO., LTD. will now be able to significantly increase their brand awareness not only during the event but also for the remainder of the year.

If you would like to further promote yourself and easily increase your company’s exposure please consider one of our sponsorship packages. Please contact us at info@overseasprojectcargo.com with any questions or to sign up for sponsorship.

We are proud to highlight our most recent sponsor and delegates:

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from V.PACK & MOVE (BANGKOK) CO., LTD.
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OPCA World Wall Map was delivered to Viet Nam Projects Transport Co., Ltd  We are glad to share their picture as below and hereby present our thanks!

YOUR PROJECT PARTNER @ VIETNAM

VIET NAM PROJECTS TRANSPORT CO., LTD

Viet Nam Projects Transport Company Limited (VN Projects) is specializing heavy lift and over-sized cargo handling, full and part vessel chartering, project related airfreight charters and container shipments, road and equipment surveys and feasibility studies.

Depending on the scope of their customer’s project, they can support route surveys and site visit, lashing and drawings, transportation and lifting, mode of transport, stowage planning and utilization / optimization, design of most efficient and economic solutions, project execution optimization, equipment and special equipment sourcing, resource planning, specifications and design review – milestone follow up – evaluation, risk assessment, close cooperation with authorities for permits, licenses etc.

VISIT WEBSITE (CLICK HERE!) | VISIT OPCA PROFILE (CLICK HERE!)

Original news was published 15 December, 2017

January 1, 2018 will see the commencement of North Sea Port, the entity that has been created by the merger between the port authorities of Zeeland Seaports in the Netherlands and the Port of Ghent in Belgium.

Headquartered in Terneuzen, the Netherlands, the merged company was created following negotiations between the shareholders of the two ports, which have been going on for over a year.

North Sea Port will represent a 60 km cross-border port area of Flushing, Borsele and Terneuzen in the Netherlands up to Ghent in Belgium.

The shareholders feel that the name of the merged port represents its position in the heart of Europe and the North Sea region.

By 2022, North Sea Port aims to be a leading brand in the international port world. By then, the plan is to increase its added value by 10 percent, its maritime traffic to 70 million tonnes (currently 62 million tonnes) and inland traffic to 60 million tonnes (currently 55 million tonnes).

*NEWS SOURCE

New partners are going on to join Overseas Project Cargo Association from all around the world. Today we are happy to announce you that CARGO SERVICES, S.A.U. is our new member from SPAIN.

Let's welcome our new agent on board of Overseas Project Cargo Association! Have a great cooperation together!

CARGO SERVICES, S.A.U.
ADDRESS: C/Cavanilles, 45, 28007 Madrid, Spain
CONTACT: María Pérez Bellido / International Division Managing Director
TEL: +34 948 172245
FAX: +34 948 171722
WEB: www.cargoservicesgroup.com

COMPANY PROFILE

Cargo Services, S.A.U. was set up in Madrid in March 1988 as a global transport enterprise focusing its activity on air, sea and land freights.

Globalisation and the development of new needs in the international logistics, has meant embarking on the creation of the following departments: Cross- trade, Cross-docking and Projects Cargo.

Cargo Services, S.A.U. is specialised in handling integral logistics projects so that merchandise may reach its destination in the best shape and manner possible and by the deadline.

What is offered, in all cases, is a door-to-door service, allowing clients to define its scope. In order to do so, they rely on their department of highly qualified staff, with the know-how of all the international freight areas, customs clearance procedures, storage and warehousing, etc. Their staff is able to carry out the most complex coordination that a project cargo may require.

You can click here to review the services of our new agents.

VISIT WEBSITE (CLICK HERE!) | VISIT OPCA PROFILE (CLICK HERE!)

Original news was published 14 December, 2017

The Port of Virginia has received a US$466,747 grant for equipment to support reefer containers and break bulk on its barge service linking Richmond with its deep sea terminals.

The Port of Virginia operates a barge service three times a week linking its Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT) with its terminals in Portsmouth and Norfolk. With US$466,747 in grant funding from the federal government’s Marine Highway Projects grant programme and $119,186 in its own funds the port has purchased a 52,000lb capacity forklift and a portable genset system for its barge that can power up to 40 reefer containers. The power unit cost $222,700 and the forklift $373,234.

“We have several current and potential users of RMT that are in the food and beverage, refrigerated and discount grocery industry that are expressing interest in using the barge to move reefer (refrigerated) cargo,” said John. F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The power unit enables us to provide a more comprehensive level of barge service to current and potential customers and continue to serve as a catalyst for commerce in the Richmond metro area and beyond.”

Virginia, along with the other major US East Coast ports, is participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southeast In-Transit Cold Treatment Pilot programme to support growth in produce imports from South America.

The port said the new 52,000 Lb forklift “is part of the ongoing investment at RMT and opens up the possibility for new heavy, or overweight cargo, business”. In comments to WorldCargo News port spokesman Joe Harris explained that the forklift will not be used to handle containers, but to stuff or unload containers and handle break bulk cargo. RMT has recently handled break bulk, including large brewery tanks.

“Both of these investments will create more opportunities to diversify and grow our cargo mix, drive business on the barge and across RMT. We are grateful for the federal government’s recognition of the effectiveness of the barge service and the growing importance of RMT in America’s Marine Highway Program,” said Rienhart.

While other attempts to start container barge services in the US have foundered, RMT has proved a success. Last year the port launched a new barge, the Richmond Express, with a capacity for 125 40’ containers. To handle containers RMT operates top picks and a new Liebherr mobile harbour crane. Over the year to the end of November RMT handled 21,491 containers, a 25% increase on 2016. Each container saves one gate move in Virginia and eliminates one truck journey on the I-94.

*NEWS SOURCE

Original news was published 11 December, 2017

SIPG and ZPMC have opened the 4M TEU Shanghai Yangshan Phase IV Automated Terminal.

The new facility, touted as the world’s largest fully automated terminal, was opened on December 11 at Yangshan Island off the coast of Shanghai. The terminal was “jointly built” by ZPMC and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) and features seven berths over 2350m of quay, and a total area of 2.2 million square metres.

The terminal “marks the tremendous updating and significant change that China has made in operation mode and technical application of Chinese ports,” ZPMC said in a statement. “It also provides a new power for Shanghai port to strengthen its leading place in port handling capacity and rank as the No.1.”

Yangshan Phase IV has two 70,000t berths, and five 50000t berths with a capacity of 4M TEU per year in the first phase. That can be extended to 6.3M TEU in future. ZPMC describes Yangshan Phase IV as the only fully automated terminal with a “China Core”. By this it means the two core software systems at the terminal were developed by Chinese companies: the TOS by SIPG, and the Equipment Control System (ECS) by ZPMC.

Equipment at the new terminal so far includes 10 “automatic” ZPMC STS cranes, 40 ZPMC ASCs (Automated stacking cranes with the TMEIC automation and control system), 50 ZPMC AGVs and a number of "double-box automatic rail mounted cranes". These are understood to be double cantilever cranes with a box girder construction. The AGVs feature changeable batteries with an automated battery charging system. The batteries are designed to last 12 hours on a full charge. They are removed for charging (which takes six minutes) and can be recharged in two hours.

At full build out Yangshan Phase IV will feature 26 STS cranes, 120 ASCs and 130 AGVs. The terminal is the pinnacle of ZPMC’s achievements in terminal automation thus far, and builds on the Yuanhai terminal in Xiamen and the new automated terminal in Qingdao (QQCTN), both of which also feature AGVs.

ZPMC notes that it has other automation projects in progress, including Vado for APM Terminals in Italy and a new terminal at Khalifa for Cosco Shipping Ports, as well as another development at Tangshan in China.

At a Smart Terminal Solutions Forum in Shanghai in November ZPMC Huang Qingfeng told the audience the automated container terminal “is a mainstay for ZPMC”. The company notes that since 1998 it has been the largest supplier of STS cranes in WorldCargo News' annual market surveys, and has now delivered cranes to 99 different countries. ZPMC expects automation will play an increasingly significant role in the company’s development.

*NEWS SOURCE