During this time, “K” LINE has maintained its’ presence via the various permutations determined by its’ partnership arrangements.
To mark the occasion of M/V Helsinki Bridge maiden call, a delegation of “K” LINE ITALIA headed by its President and Managing Director, Carlo Besozzi together with some of its’ main Italian clients visited La Spezia Container Terminal. On the occasion of the official crest delivery to the master of the 8,500 TEUs containership, Lorenzo Forcieri, President of La Spezia Port Authority and Michele Giromini, LSCT General Manager, presented the updated container terminal development plan following the new concession agreement signed on the 29th October 2012.
The previous “K” LINE containership calling at La Spezia was the M/V Akashi Bridge (220m LOA and 32m of beam) on the 1st of August 2007. Today, the Helsinki Bridge containership (335 m LOA and 46 m of beam) reflects the change in the deployed tonnage with increasingly larger ships in the Mediterranean confirming LSCT infrastructure developments to accommodate latest generations of containerships.
“We started our latest quay cranes investment plan 2 years ago” said Michele Giromini “and today we are the only container terminal in the north Tyrrhenian sea able to operate simultaneously two ULCC’s ships of 14.000 TEUs and up to 9.500 TEUs with 5 cranes x 20 rows on Fornelli East Berth and 4 cranes x 18 rows plus 1 x 16 rows on Fornelli West Berth, where additional upgrades will continue during 2013 and we are more than satisfied that that we are in tune with the needs of our customers. As with “K” LINE ship sizes have developed in a short time and I wish to ensure to our valued customer “K” LINE, specifically on this occasion, that we are “ready for the future, today”. If “K” LINE wishes to deploy more larger units, then LSCT is a natural choice. The La Spezia system is at your service!”
“In the last year, considering the ships operated within the CKYH alliance, we increased over more than 30% our volumes in La Spezia” said Carlo Besozzi, President and Managing Director of “K” LINE ITALIA. “The quality and reliability of the rendered services makes La Spezia a natural option to serve our customers who acknowledge and appreciate the high focus of our own dedicated service to them in Italy. Our clients can further benefit from the substantial number of rail connections which ensure that La Spezia as one of the most environmental friendly logistic gateway in South Europe”.
“In the last part of 2012 we recorded positive signs and increasing interest from the market for La Spezia Port and LSCT in particular. This was evidenced by a 4.1% December’s container movements increase compared to same month 2011 – said Lorenzo Forcieri, President of La Spezia Port Authority -. We trust 2013 will mark the economic recovery and this important new “K” LINE service represents a tangible step forward.
The port rotation of the MD1 service includes: Quingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Hong Kong, Shekou, Singapore, Suez, Piraeus, La Spezia, Genoa, Barcelona, Valencia, Piraeus, Suez, Singapore, Hong Kong.