“Core services at the port were up and running for limited operations in just 96 hours. Now, normal container-line services have resumed and today the first export shipment of coal left the port. “We’re at the stage where we can end our emergency status and get down to the task of planning for the long-term rehabilitation of damaged port facilities and for the further development of the port,” Mr Davie says. “This rapid recovery is a major achievement, especially when many of our staff, customers and contractors had their own stressful problems to deal with.”

The Lyttelton Port of Christchurch was very close to the epicentre of the earthquake, which was located just streets away and at a depth of just 5km. The damage compounded the effects of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake of last September. “As the trade gateway to the South Island, the port plays a major role in the economic wellbeing of the Canterbury region,” Mr Davie says. “We have a deep awareness of our responsibility to contribute to the recovery of Christchurch by keeping goods and commodities moving. It’s not only jobs for our staff that we need to protect, but also jobs of others in the Canterbury region. Canterbury needs a healthy, growing port.” Mr Davie also expressed sadness at the situation in Japan following the massive 8.9 earthquake and tsunami last Friday. “We have enormous respect for the resilience and forbearance of the Japanese people and wish them all the best in their recovery efforts.”

ABPmer will be working with URS/Scott Wilson to complete the full environmental statement for submission summer 2011. Green Port Hull marks the start of delivering the Humber Green Economy Gateway Strategy.   The port has an existing planning approval for the development of a 600m riverside berth at Alexandra Dock that, subject to consent for amendments, will be incorporated into ABP/Siemens development. Green Port Hull is within an existing port complex and is directly adjacent to a natural deep water channel so is perfectly positioned for the receipt of raw materials, components, pre-assembly and dispatch of Siemens’ wind turbines out to sea. Bill Cooper, Managing Director at ABPmer said, “We are delighted to be working on such an exciting port development for our parent company.  ABPmer has 60 years port-related research and consultancy practice and understands that successful design and operation of ports is dependent on understanding both the marine environment and operational requirements.  “ABPmer has been supporting the renewable energy sector in gaining offshore wind marine consents for over a decade.  The Green Port Hull project finds us assisting the sector further in securing a waterside site for UK turbine manufacture, close to three of the largest UK offshore zones.” ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) is a leading provider of ports consultancy services that enjoys a unique position as a result of its technical capabilities, experience, and the nature of its parent company, Associated British Ports, which owns and operates 21 UK ports.   In addition to providing hydraulic design and environmental services to ports and harbours, ABPmer provides specialist consultancy and research support to government departments, consulting engineers and other marine industries in the UK and overseas.

A graduate of Richmond University, with an MBA from IESE and Masters in Finance from the ICADE, he held the same position in private equity firm, Advert International, where he collaborated on different projects developed in Latin America. He was also Director of Finance for DHL Americas, headquartered in Miami. In addition, Javier Barajas has worked in multinationals like Dutch shipping line, Nedlloyd (absorbed by the APMoller-Maersk Group), NEC and Deloitte.

MOL continues to gather data concerning MOL-operated vessels that may have been affected by the Tohoku district – off the Pacific Ocean earthquake, but neither the quake itself nor the resultant tsunami caused any significant maritime accidents involving MOL-operated vessels. However, the MOL-chartered C.S. Victory (Flag: Panama, 20,212 Gross Ton), was carried toward the breakwater by the tsunami and now rests on the bottom of the shallow harbor at Ishinomaki (Miyagi prefecture). All the crew members left the vessel on orders of the harbor master, and none were injured. None of the cargo (kaolin) or fuel oil has spilled from the vessel. MOL set up a task force and support headquarters headed by President Muto to help the victims of the Tohoku district – off the Pacific Ocean earthquake on March 12.