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RAIL MARKET NEWS
Ictsi Readies Vct For New Mhcs, Larger VesselsVisayas Container Terminal (VCT) in Iloilo City, operated by Philippine port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), is gearing up for the arrival of two new mobile harbour cranes (MHCs). In the past six months, the terminal has undergone significant upgrades, including facility enhancements, IT system improvements, and the addition of modern cargo handling equipment. This transformation follows the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) grant of a 25-year concession to ICTSI in April 2024.
The cranes are scheduled to arrive by the first week of September, and, according to ICTSI, will enable VCT to handle new-generation vessels and cater to the increased volume. The MHCs have been described as the largest and first such equipment in Panay and the entire Region 6 in the Philippines. ICTSI has yet to provide WCN with more information about the cranes’ lifting capacity and the name of the manufacturer. Dredging along the berths is also set to commence later in the month to increase depth capacity in preparation for the arrival of larger ships.
“VCT is far from the terminal we took over six months ago. We’ve not only improved the facilities but also grown our team to over 240 organic personnel, who undergo continuous training to ensure top-tier service. We also continue to expand our equipment fleet, which include the upcoming MHCs and the recently delivered reach stackers, chassis and forklifts – all part of our commitment to transform VCT into a world-class port,” said Timothee Jeannin, VCT executive director.
VCT’s container yard is currently equipped with 33 reefer plugs, and ICTSI said this will double in the next two weeks in anticipation of increased demand for perishable goods and potential exports from Panay. VCT currently operates five new reach stackers, produced by Konecranes, two three-tonner forklifts, six prime movers, two sidelifters, a skid loader and a backhoe. Two five-tonner forklifts are scheduled to arrive also in September, followed by a 30-tonner forklift in the fourth quarter of 2024.
“Other projects in the pipeline for the year include further rehabilitation of the container yard, improvement of engineering facilities and offices, and development of multipurpose and recreational spaces for employees,” the company said, adding that the terminal was working with Philippine Ports Authority – Iloilo to remove derelict vessels and materials from the port’s vicinity to maximise space utilisation.
For ICTSI, which operates many facilities in the Philippines, VCT is its first project in Visayas.
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Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Zpmc Delivers Final Equipment For Chancay’S Phase IChinese crane manufacturer ZPMC has dispatched a new batch of equipment for COSCO Shipping Ports’ Chancay Terminal in Peru, set to open in November 2024. The latest shipment includes three rail-mounted gantry cranes and six portal crane hoppers, sent from ZPMC’s Nantong base.
The latest delivery follows the first consignment of five double-cantilever automated rail cranes (ARMGs) from China’s ZPMC, which was delivered to Chancay in June this year, as well as the one WCN reported in July including three bulk cargo portal cranes and three portal cranes.
“With this shipment, the port machinery project for Phase I of the Chancay Terminal has been successfully completed,” the company said.
Located about 65 kilometres from Lima, Chancay Port is becoming a vital asset on South America’s Pacific coast. The port is being developed in collaboration between Chinese state-owned company Cosco Shipping Ports and Peruvian mining company Volcan, which have committed US$3.5 billion to build the facility.
Cosco is investing US$1.3 billion in the first stage of the project, which is said to be over 83% completed. This major greenfield project will initially include two container berths, one general-purpose berth, one multi-purpose berth, and associated infrastructure, with a total quay length of 1,500 metres capable of accommodating 200,000-ton container ships. For the first phase of the project ZPMC is supplying six remote-controlled STS cranes and 15 double cantilever ASCs for the container operation. For the bulk and general cargo operations at Berths 1 and 2 ZPMC is supplying three portal cranes for each berth.
The National Port Authority (APN) of Peru said that in 2023, Peruvian ports handled approximately 3.1 million TEU, marking a 352% increase from 2003 levels. The South Container Terminal at the Port of Callao led the way with 52.1% of container movements, followed by the North Multi-purpose Terminal at 35.4% and the Port of Paita at 10.3%. Total cargo throughput reached nearly 118 million metric tonnes. Solid bulk cargo was the largest category, accounting for 43.1% of the total, followed by liquid bulk at 29.2%, containerised cargo at 24.4%, breakbulk at 2.9%, and rolling cargo at 0.3%.
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Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
New Mhcs For Ictsi’S East Java Multipurpose TerminalEast Java Multipurpose Terminal (EJMT), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) located in Lamongan Regency, Indonesia, has recently received two new Konecranes Gottwald post-Panamax ESP.8 mobile harbour cranes (MHC). The new cranes will enhance EJMT’s capability to handle bulk, project, and container cargo as the terminal prepares to commence operations in September.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Konecranes for our new post-Panamax MHCs. The equipment is central to our ongoing development of the Lamongan terminal, which, upon completion in September, will serve as a new domestic and international gateway for our customers,” said Patrick Chan, EJMT chief executive officer.
Equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid system, the cranes combine their diesel engine and three-phase generator with a secondary power source based on electrostatic short-term energy storage media called ultracaps. The ultracaps provide short-term energy during peak power demand periods to reduce the equipment’s diesel consumption.
“We are happy that we were able to convince EJMT with our state-of-the-art drive technology. The cooperation was excellent from the beginning, and we are confident that both cranes will provide the handling flexibility and rates EJMT is aiming for,” Holger Wagner, Konecranes regional sales manager for APAC, said.
The hybrid MHCs are the latest additions to EJMT’s equipment fleet, which includes reach stackers, empty container handlers, container spreaders, tractors and trailers. EJMT is also set to take delivery of grabs and hoppers by late August.
Situated in Lamongan Regency 60 kilometres west of Surabaya City, the multipurpose facility sits within the 80-hectare Lamongan Shorebase complex, which supports Indonesia’s specialized offshore oil and gas industry. EJMT is a joint venture between International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and East Log Holdings, an Indonesian company specializing in offshore oil and gas supply bases. ICTSI broke ground on the project in October 2023. The development consists of a 300-meter quay line, breakwater, super heavy lift breakbulk deck, and dredging of the navigational channel to -13.5 meters.
ICTSI’s unaudited financial results for H1 2024 show a 13% increase in port operations revenue to US$ 1.32 billion and a 34% growth in net income to US$ 420.55 million.
Read more: ICTSI H1 2024 net income up 34%
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Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Waps Market Nears A Tipping Point, Says Lr AnalysisMitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Vale International SA have recently announced that a 200,000 dwt-class bulk carrier has successfully been retrofitted with two 35m x 5m Norsepower Rotor Sails. The vessel just made its inaugural call at Ponta da Madeira, Brazil.
MOL says this project marks the first rotor sails installation on a Capesize bulk carrier. The Camellia Dream is anticipated to achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions of approximately 6-10% on the Brazil-Far East routes, combined with voyage optimisation technology.
In its latest report, Lloyd’s Register analysed the current Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) market. According to LR, the market is on the verge of a tipping point, expected to pass the 100-installation milestone in the next 2-3 years. Four main technologies are currently in wider use: Flettner rotor, kite, rigid sail, and suction wing.
Bulk carriers are the largest single segment to install wind propulsion to date (10 vessels) and will remain so based on existing orders (18 vessels). Tankers, passenger, and Ro-Ro vessels all have order books similar to the number of installations already performed.
“Orders for the first WAPS installations on gas carriers (both LNG and LPG), container ships, and car carriers reflect the increasing and broadening uptake of wind power,” LR adds.
To date, the vast majority of WAPS installations (83%) have been applied to existing vessels, with just five newbuilds including wind propulsion devices from the initial design stage. However, as acceptance of the technology is increasing, wind systems are being applied to new vessels more frequently, with 72% of planned installations taking place at shipbuilders rather than conversion yards.
LR forecasts that the scaling up of newbuild wind installations is expected to continue at the same time as a sizeable retrofit market emerges. “While the proportion of newbuilds deploying wind propulsion will continue to increase, there is a large fleet of existing vessels that are likely to consider WAPS systems to meet impending decarbonisation requirements and reduce carbon cost exposure,” LR explains.
Data from Clarksons shows that from the first installation in 2018, 101 vessels in total are operating or scheduled to install WAPS. The uptake rate is increasing; 29 of the systems were installed between 2018 and 2023, with 72 installations in the order book for 2024 and beyond.
LR believes there is some uncertainty on exact order numbers as the established industry data does not fully match disclosures from technology providers, considerably overestimating the number of suction wing orders, including several ‘wind-ready’ projects that are not yet firm orders.
“Additionally, more orders are coming from a wider range of vessel segments, often with more units per installation, reflecting greater confidence in the technology. The number of projects featuring WAPS from initial design, as opposed to the retrofits commonly used for pilot projects, also highlights growing confidence in the fuel-saving advantages and technical feasibility,” LR states in its report.
According to the report, beyond 100 installations, market forecasts indicate that orders will accelerate rapidly, notably in the bulk and tanker vessel segments, with analysis of top-end potential identifying nearly 14,000 candidate vessels over the next 26 years.
“However, notable challenges remain in the application of WAPS technologies, such as uncertainty around actual fuel savings, with no standardised criteria for validating savings claims. The potentially hidden costs around WAPS – including the full scope of engineering work and operational costs – also contribute to uncertainty around the business case,” says LR.
To date, only around 16 yards have conducted WAPS retrofits. Consequently, LR concludes that installation capacity needs to be far more widespread if future installations are to be met.
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Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Ctaa Issues Update On Fremantle StrikeThe two-day strike which started in Freemantle Ports on Sunday, 18 August, is set to end on Tuesday, 20 August, at 5:30 am local time. The industrial action includes vessel traffic service officers and small craft personnel.
The Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) has issued an update stating that “no vessels are alongside at DP World Fremantle Terminal, and coincidently the DP World Terminal is closed for scheduled maintenance work with road receival & delivery operations recommencing at 6:00 am local time Tuesday, 20 August 2024.”
Furthermore, according to expected container vessel arrival schedules, the Maersk Yellowstone is due to arrive in Fremantle from Singapore in the early hours of Monday, 19 August, the OOCL Panama in the evening of 19 August, and the MSC NURYA G, in the early hours of Tuesday, 20 August. The Hapag-Lloyd’s Sydney Express is at the Patrick Fremantle Terminal having arrived on 17 August.
According to CTAA, it is presumed that these arriving container vessels will be impacted by the withdrawal of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) at the Port and their berthing will be delayed. It is also presumed that the Sydney Express will not be able to depart the Port until VTS resumes.
“This industrial action comes at a time also when Western Australian importers & exporters are experiencing changing container shipping patterns and capacity allocations by international shipping lines servicing Fremantle, higher ocean freight rates and surcharges, and cargo congestion delays in the major transhipment port of Singapore, “CTTA comments. “It is hoped that the parties to the Fremantle Ports’ industrial dispute can continue good-faith negotiations to reach an enterprise agreement solution without the need for further protected industrial action.”port-and-ship
Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Ad Ports On Acquisition StreakBy registering you will have:
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Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Toxic Waste Under Uk Flag Heading For ThailandBy registering you will have:
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Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Fremantle Ports Faces Continued Industrial ActionFremantle Ports is preparing for further industrial action following a 48-hour stoppage by Vessel Traffic Services officers and Small Craft personnel that concluded at 5:30 am today.
According to Fremantle Ports, the previous strike’s impact was largely mitigated, thanks to planning and collaboration between Fremantle Ports and its stakeholders, ensuring that landside operations and cargo discharge and loading remained relatively unaffected.
Read more: CTAA issues update on Fremantle strike
Jamie Allardice, General Manager of Commercial and Customer, Fremantle Ports, expressed gratitude to all involved in maintaining port operations during the strike and encouraged ongoing engagement as the port resumes full operations. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in supporting our operations over the past 48 hours,” Allardice stated, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration.
However, the threat of further disruption looms as a notice of additional industrial action has been received, set to begin at 5:30 am on Sunday, 25 August 2024. Initially scheduled as a 24-hour stoppage, the strike has now been extended to 48 hours. In response, a meeting with the Marine Services bargaining group has been scheduled to reach an agreement and avoid further disruptions.
Fremantle Ports remains hopeful that ongoing negotiations, conducted in a spirit of good faith and mutual respect, will lead to a resolution before the next round of industrial action begins. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial in determining whether the port can continue to operate without significant interruptions in the coming weeks.port-and-ship
Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
Another Cma Cgm Vessel Loses Containers Off The Coast Of South AfricaAdverse weather conditions impacting South Africa last week have led to yet another large container vessel losing as many as 99 containers off the east coast of South Africa, according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
In response, a navigational warning to sailing vessels has been issued and a public call made to report any sighting of the cargo containers possibly still floating at sea.
In a statement at the weekend, SAMSA confirmed that “the CMA CGM Belem, a container ship sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay on Thursday, resulting in a significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers.”
“The vessel had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay. However, after further assessment, the decision was made to redirect the ship to Qheberha. The CMA CGM Belem is currently slow steaming towards Port of Ngqura, with an expected time of arrival on 18 August 2024,” said SAMSA on 17 August.
According to SAMSA, the vessel, built in 2024, measures 336 meters in length, and 51 meters in height, and has a draft of 14.8 meters. The 13,000 TEU vessel is LNG dual-fuelled.
The CMA CGM Belem is the second vessel of its kind and from the same France-based company to be battered by adverse weather conditions while sailing around South Africa’s Indian Ocean area, resulting in substantial loss of containers overboard at sea.
A month ago, the ultra-large container vessel CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, also Maltese flagged, reportedly lost up to 40 containers in about the same region of the South African Indian Ocean area, while also sailing past the country from Asia to Europe.
Due to its size, it also had to take cover at the deep water port of Ngqurha in Algoa Bay near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape both for shelter as well as an adjustment of its cargo load for the rest of the journey to Europe. A few days later, having been cleared by SAMSA to sail, it departed South Africa, while a search for its lost containers remained alive.
In Pretoria on Saturday, SAMSA said the CMA CGM Belem was also a sizeable vessel best likely to be temporarily, safely berthed at the Eastern Cape’s newest deep-water port in Algoa Bay.
“Given her draft, the Port of Ngqura has been identified as the only suitable port of refuge. Stowage collapses have been confirmed, and the affected containers will need to be discharged at a container port facility upon arrival,” SAMSA added.
Meanwhile, said SAMSA, the owners of the vessel were “cooperating with the Authorities and that a navigational warning has been promulgated for the safety of navigation of other vessels in the vicinity.”
SAMSA added: “Vessels traversing the ocean area, and the public, are requested to report any sightings of the lost containers to the relevant authorities by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) on telephone number 021 938 3300 with the position, number, and colour of the containers observed.”port-and-ship
Aug 22, 2024
RAIL MARKET NEWS
New Name In Yard Cranes: Bvs Secures Contract With DbBVS Cranes, the largest crane manufacturer in Türkiye, has secured an important contract with Deutsche Bahn (DB) to manufacture four RMGs for DB’s terminals in Germany.
This project marks BVS Cranes’ inaugural crane sale to DB, a notable shift from its previous role in crane servicing. The cranes are RMGs with a rotating trolley and lifting capacity of 41 tonnes and will be deployed at DB terminals in Kornwestheim near Stuttgart and Augsburg near Munich.
Based in Ankara, Türkiye, BVS Cranes operates three main manufacturing facilities encompassing a total area of 100,000 square meters. The company’s main market is the steel industry, but it is also active in the port sector, offering gantry cranes, ship loaders, hoppers, and mobile ship loaders.
Speaking to WorldCargo News at TOC Europe held in June in Rotterdam, Akin Önder Topuz, Business Development & Marketing Manager of BVS Cranes, said that the company has already completed the design work and started manufacturing the cranes, with delivery scheduled for 2025.
“These cranes are pivotal in terminal operations, requiring exceptional speed and reliability,” Önder said. “And our customer is very demanding, which can be hard, but at the same time very interesting for us.”
The company is working on expanding beyond Turkish borders and growing its international business portfolio. BVS is currently exporting to 93 countries and six continents.
“Our cranes are used in different parts of the world for different purposes, including nuclear power plants and power stations,” Önder said.
The European market is a main focus and he is optimistic the contract with DB will open opportunities. “We believe this container crane order, will be an important step forward to attract more customers in the future,” he added.
In the service area, BVS Cranes recently celebrated the opening of a new facility in Duisburg, near Dusseldorf, Germany. The new facility will provide crane service, modernisation, and 24/7 support, for both BVS and other brand cranes. Additionally, BVS has established a branch in Switzerland and maintains over 30 distributors and service providers, primarily in Europe.
As well as building up a diversified portfolio of cranes and customers in different industrial markets, BVS Cranes is working to improve its own sustainability performance. The company has installed solar panels on all three of its factories, which will cover almost all their energy production needs, Önder said.
This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainability as it approaches its 40th anniversary next year.
BVS arrives in the container crane market at a time when terminals, particularly in the inland and rail terminal sector, are looking to increase the number of options in terms of ‘local’ suppliers.
“At TOC, we had very good talks with a few steel manufacturers, although this is not a steel industry exhibition. So, we are expecting something big on that side, on the European scene,” Önder said. “Also, we have very good talks with the port operators and terminals all around the world, including the Netherlands and even Qatar and the Middle East.”
Akin Önder Topuz, Business Development & Marketing Manager of BVS Cranes at TOC Europe, June 2024
BVS is now listed on the Istanbul Bursa after completing an Initial Public offering (IPO) in February 2023. Önder said the listing had helped generate more confidence in the company.
“When I speak to my foreign and European customers or potential customers, it takes their attention. The financial transparency and continuous reporting of financial figures to the public especially brings additional confidence to your customers. Last year we had more orders from Europe, including from Norway. Furthermore, we have added Mexico, and Chile to the list of exporting countries.”
Australia, despite its distance, has also become a key market for BVS Cranes, particularly in the mining industry. In the European market, BVS sees an opportunity to benefit from long lead times from OEMs that traditionally serve the port sector. Önder explained that BVS is aware of the workloads of its competitors and sees the current boom in investments in Europe, and new greenfield projects globally, as a chance to expand its presence in the container crane, dock crane, and ship loader markets. BVS is also benefitting from the ‘regionalisation’ of procurement that is taking place.
Therefore, BVS anticipates increased international business, not only in Europe but also in North and South America and Northern Africa.
BVS Cranes is highly optimistic about its potential in the container crane market. Önder emphasised that the company will not be making commitments it cannot fulfil, but at the same time, the company has significant production capacity to respond to new opportunities.
“I think we are going to take an important piece of the cake in the coming years,” he concluded.port-and-ship
Aug 22, 2024RAIL MARKET NEWS
Byd Chooses Santander For Its First Stopover In SpainBy registering you will have:
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Aug 22, 2024RAIL MARKET NEWS
Sea-Intelligence: Us Retailers’ Inventory Growth Us$18 B Above Long-Term TrendBy registering you will have:
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Aug 22, 2024