“The opportunities for development throughout India, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, are exciting and energizing and APM Terminals is committed to being a part of that growth” stated Mr. Fejfer while speaking to local business leaders and customers as part of a keynote address at the India Ports Conference in Mumbai.

Although the Indian economy expanded by an estimated 7.8% in 2011 to $1.8 trillion USD ($4.4 trillion when adjusted for purchasing power parity, behind only the USA and China), India ranked 13th in imports and 21st in exports globally last year. South Asia, which includes Pakistan and Bangladesh, represented only 3% of global container throughout in 2011, according to estimates by Alphaliner, with combined container volume of 18 million TEUs, four million less than the Port of Shenzhen, China.

Throughput at India’s ports accounted for 9.7 million TEUs in 2011, or one twelfth of what global container traffic averages based on economic output would suggest as necessary to meet the economy’s needs. In his presentation, Mr. Fejfer estimated the infrastructure investment necessary to enable projected growth at $20 billion USD.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP), serving Mumbai, is India’s busiest containerport, accounting for nearly 45% of all Indian containerized cargo traffic. It is the 25th-busiest containerport in the world, with throughput of 4.3 million TEUs in 2011. APM Terminals Mumbai handled an estimated 1.9 million TEUs in 2011. Congestion and capacity issues at Indian ports have begun to affect trade growth, as existing container terminals are at 84% capacity and above, and access to inland points remains inadequate.

The Indian Government is determined to promote infrastructure growth and had projected JNP container throughput to increase to 11 million TEUs by 2016 and 23 million TEUs by 2020, as called for in the latest 10-Year Plan released by the Indian Ministry of Shipping.  Mr. Fejfer pointed out that private sector involvement will be a crucial component of this growth if the investment and regulatory environment in India do not act as constraints. 

“Port tariff regulations which penalize increased throughput and productivity will not assist in developing the needed infrastructure,” added Mr. Fejfer.

In addition to Mumbai, APM Terminals also operates APM Terminals Pipavav also on the Indian west Coast in the State of Gujarat. Pipavav has been recognized as India’s fastest-growing port with a throughput of an estimated 620,000 TEUs in 2011, and is India’s first private sector port operation.

Other business interests in India encompass APM Terminals India Pvt. Ltd., which operates Inland Services operations at seven locations throughout the country, including at Chennai which was recognized last month as India’s “Container Freight Station of the Year” at the India Maritime Gateway Awards ceremony held as part of India Maritime Week.  APM Terminals also operates global service centers at Mumbai, Chennai and Pune.

“We are pleased with the progress that we have made since entering this market in 2006, and we will continue to look for the right opportunities to expand our presence here to serve our customers, and India’s great economic potential” said Mr. Fejfer.

Although this was a new name in 2002, the company embodies 140 years of experience and expertise. Now, ten years later, Vosta LMG has proven to be a serious partner in the world of dredging.

 Ten years of VOSTA LMG has gone by quickly and above all successfully say the company. The company is a leading engineering and contracting company, serving the dredging industry, with worldwide offices. VOSTA LMG works closely with local specialist, local contractors and with partner shipyards. This flexibility gives the company the opportunity to deliver complete and custom-sized solutions for its clients. “VOSTA LMG has grown from a robust company into a smooth operation. Today we are a professional and serious partner in the business. The next ten years VOSTA LMG will be working on more sustainability in the industry. They will still be looking for new developments and new solutions. The outlook of 2012 is promising and means that VOSTA LMG will be in the dredging industry for many years to come,” says the company press statements

Bayswater Shipping & Forwarding provides transportation of cargoes between Singapore and Batam Island, Indonesia as well as barging of transhipment project cargo within Asian Ports. After the delivery of a LHM 100 in 2007, this time the company decided to go for the next bigger model. With a maximum lifting capacity of 64t and a maximum outreach of 35m, this machine is perfectly suited for the handling of large volume, heavy lift and/or oversized transhipment cargo, thus entailing the direct discharging and loading of feeder vessels to barges or from barges to feeder vessels.

“The Liebherr solution will be an integral part of Bayswater’s facility plans that enable safe and efficient handling of containerised and heavy lift cargo. With Liebherr’s industry leading eco-efficient products and services, Bayswater will receive the benefit from lowered energy consumption, reduced spare parts needs and improved operating efficiency,” says Kelvin Tan, Director of Bayswater.

The decision in favour of Liebherr’s solution follows a comprehensive evaluation of available mobile harbour crane systems conducted by the client. The initial implementation includes rigorous process and performance analyses.

“Other important factors that influenced the decision to work with Liebherr – apart from very quick delivery time – was the local sales and service station,” Director Tan continues. Extensive know-how ensures first class and effective performance of all service and maintenance work, contributing to LHM’s availability and profitability. Liebherr combines expertise with client’s experience to continuously optimise products and services.

“With this latest order our customer demonstrates great trust in the superior technology and the excellent Liebherr service and support. With 10 further deliveries to various Indonesian ports Liebherr could strengthen its position in South-East Asia substantially,” says Matthias Mungenast, Liebherr Area Manager Asia/Pacific.

Last Friday, the Port of Seattle convened a meeting of the many stakeholders responsible for moving container cargo to and from port terminals, including drayage truck drivers.  Newly established working groups with these stakeholders as well as state and local law enforcement will address safety issues around intermodal equipment used to haul cargo, along with other concerns raised in the driver community.

Container cargo means jobs for the Puget Sound region.  Last year, the Port of Seattle harbor handled over two million TEUs (20-foot equivalent containers), contributing to over 100,000 family wage jobs for the local economy.