“We posted growth in all core areas including container volume, in our rail, breakbulk and auto operations and at VIP (Virginia Inland Port),” said Jerry A. Bridges, the VPA executive director. “What should be taken into account is that we grew in spite of a weak economy and some larger trade issues that we had absolutely no control over that an adverse impact on our volumes.

“Posting positive numbers under those conditions tells me that 2012 is going to be different: The economy continues to inch forward, there is considerable interest in the Richmond barge service, CSX has started its on-dock rail operation, both NS and CSX have expanded their rail reach from our port and we have multiple port users that are coming on-line in the later part of this year. An important development is the fact that we have had very productive discussions with some ocean carriers that are considering a change in their East Coast port rotations in order to take advantage of our deep water.”

In January 2012, The Port of Virginia handled 154,300 TEU, the same amount handled in December 2011. In January 2011, the port handled 159,265 TEU.

The January breakbulk tonnage was 36,934 tons vs. 22,520 tons handled in January 2011; an increase of 64 percent. Total rail containers handled in January were 27,171 vs. 27,500 handled in January 2011. The number of containers moved between the Port of Richmond and the Hampton Roads Harbor on the 64 Express barge increased 90 percent in January to 536 containers.

Calendar year TEU totals, 2012 vs. 2011:

January 2012 = 154,300

January 2011 = 159,265

The cooperation is comprised of 2 main loops:

US Gulf – South America East Coast Service with the following port rotation: Houston, New Orleans, Kingston, Caucedo, Suape, Salvador, Vitoria, Paranagua, Navegantes, , Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Pecem, Cristobal, Kingston 

US East Coast – South America East Coast with the following rotation: Charleston, Norfolk, New York, Baltimore, Savannah, Freeport, Caucedo, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio Grande, Navegantes , Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Suape, Caucedo, Freeport, Charleston

 The cooperation will commence around the last week of March 2012, pending final FMC approval.

This new joint service offers comprehensive ports’ coverage to partners’ hubs, and a wider scope of direct links, connecting South America East Coast and the US, responding to customers’ needs and improving services.

This US$2.5 million investment is expected to increase security and safety of the port, reduce service time and advance the terminal’s overall performance.  

“BCT and the Port of Gdynia have been pioneers in the integration of modern port solutions, and this investment by the Customs Office is a continuation of this commitment.  Thanks to the modern scanner, Gdynia cements its position as among the most modern, safest and efficient terminals in this part of the world,” said Krzysztof Szymborski, BCT president.

The dual-energy Rapiscan G-60 scanner shows the content of containers, and can distinguish organic substances from others.  Scanning of one container takes only six to eight minutes, significantly hastening customs clearance time at the terminal.

Pomeranian Customs decided to install the scanner at BCT because most of the sea-borne cargo imported to Poland is shipped via BCT, and BCT has been experiencing significant increase in cargo volume for the past two years. The Port of Gdynia is located on Gdansk Bay, one of major Baltic seaports and Poland’s “window to the world.”

Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, ICTSI is a leading port management company involved in the operations and development of 22 marine terminals and port projects in 17 countries worldwide.

Photo caption:

Modern scanner in Gdynia.  Photo shows the recent inauguration of a modern container scanner at the Baltic Container Terminal.  Present were (from left):  Jacek Kapica, Customs Office head;  S?awoj Leszek G?ód?, Archbishop of Gda?sk;  Janusz Jarosi?ski, Port of Gdynia Authority president;  and Krzysztof Szymborski, BCT president.

“The customer chose our Siwertell technology again, because they wanted a highly efficient continuous screw-type unloader, which was also capable of safely handling potentially explosive materials, such as sulphur,” says Anders Paulsson, Cargotec Sales Manager, Bulk Handling. “We have by far the most knowledge and experience of screw-type unloaders, and can offer them at competitive prices.”

Cargotec supplied Petrokimia Gresik with a ST640-DOB Siwertell ship unloader in 1996, and this latest contract will see it deliver the latest version of the same type within the next 13 months. The ship unloader will be erected at its operating site in Gresik, Indonesia and able to handle rock phosphate, sulphur, urea and ammonium sulphate at a rated capacity of 1,000t/h. Petrokimia plans to have the site running from mid 2013.

“With a totally enclosed system, our Siwertell unloaders offer customers an environmentally-friendly solution. Also, for handling sulphur, the unloader has a built-in safety mechanism; our award-winning 4S system,” highlights Mr Paulsson.

The 4S (Siwertell sulphur safety system) is designed to minimise the risk of explosions and detect fires. Cargotec now applies the 4S to all ship unloaders aimed for sulphur unloading, both those for larger ships and road-mobile unloaders for smaller ships.

To prevent explosions and fires, the Siwertell unit is equipped with nozzles that spray water at the inlet feeder and in the conveyor transfer points. An automatic lubrication system is installed to lubricate and cool down end bearings and intermediate bearings. There are also fire detectors along the conveying line, and when activated these automatically start the fire extinguishing system spraying water and stop the conveyors. This is vital to prevent fires entering the storage building. To manage any explosion, the conveyor’s steel casings are reinforced with extra-thick steel, and explosion-venting valves are fitted along the conveyors and dust collectors to relieve pressure.