The rise in container throughput was mainly due to a good performance in import-export (+6.11%) and transit traffic (+2.12%). Of the 4.6 million TEUs, representing a 3.90% increase over the previous year which came in at 4.4 million TEUs, while around 2.5 million TEU accounted for trans-shipment traffic. The leading five countries in terms of goods shipped through Valenciaport in 2015 were Spain, Algeria, China, Italy and the USA. Looking at geographical statistics, total throughput for the Mediterranean and the Black Sea fell by 1.46% whilst throughput for the Far East went down by 8.61%. Last year gave way to the completion of the MSC Terminal extension entailing works that totalled around EUR 9 million. Having begun back in 2013, the project focused on extending the quay in order to increase container space by 20,000m2. As well as building the necessary infrastructure the project involved a rockfill breakwater and subsequent infill, construction of a superstructure similar to that of the existing terminal and installing all relevant service networks. Early 2016 saw new port equipment for Valencia-based operators, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and TCV Stevedoring, with Konecranes receiving orders for RTGs from both companies. When the three RTGs on order for MSC go into operation, the terminal will house a fleet of 18 Konecranes RTGs. The 16-wheel cranes, to be delivered by spring 2017, will be equipped with active load control, a diesel fuel saver system, GPS auto-TOS reporting and auto-positioning. They will have a lifting capacity of 40 LT, stacking one-over-five containers high and six plus truck lanes wide. For TCV Stevedoring, Konecranes will be providing four RTGs taking TCV’s operational fleet of Konecranes’ RTGs up to 24. The first RTGs from the Finland-based manufacturer were ordered and delivered back in 2004, with the latest batch due to arrive in the first quarter next year. Equipped with the same technology as those being delivered to MSC, in addition to auto-steering and crane management systems, the RTGs ensure safe and uninterrupted usage. The cranes have a lifting capacity of over 45 tonnes for twin-lift operation and will stack one-over five containers high and six plus truck lanes wide. Having reached the objectives set out in its Strategic Plan 2015 ahead of schedule, the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has laid out new plans working towards goals for 2020. Items on the agenda for the coming years include maintaining profitability levels in order to offer competitive charges, reducing port call costs, improving service efficiency for shipping lines and carriers as well as enhancing logistics and intermodal integration. The latter is “on track” to success with the Capacity4Rail project currently in progress. Financed by the European Commission, FP7, the aim is to define a vision for the railway sector in Europe in 2050, identifying and pre-empting the major changes expected in the design, construction, maintenance and operational management of shunting and freight transfer in terminals. The PAV’s strategy to highlight Valenciaport as a mixed hub offering optimised call costs should definitely aide the port in achieving its future goals.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
