Someone had to plug the machines, unplug them and then plug them in again between moves” said APM Terminals’ Head of Design and Operations for New Terminals, Ross Clarke. As the result of industry development in this area of power supply, RTGs can now be connected and disconnected automatically from the busbar through the use of a retractable connector arm attached to the RTG. This system allows the RTG power to switch between the diesel engine and electricity from the busbar automatically and without interruption.

“The automated system for connecting the RTG to the busbar means that we can benefit from the environmental and cost benefits of electric RTG’s, with no loss of operational flexibility” said Clarke. The conversion of a terminal is completed in two steps: installation of busbars within the terminal along the container storage stacks, and fitting the connector arms to the individual RTG units. The projected maintenance and repair costs for the electrified RTGs (E-RTGs) are 30% lower than for standard diesel-powered RTGs, with additional savings of as much as 70% in fuel costs. The use of E-RTGs will reduce CO2 emissions by between 60-80% compared with conventional diesel-powered RTGs, which will result in overall terminal CO2 emissions decreasing by 20% per TEU handled. The retro-fitting of the majority of the existing 400 unit APM Terminals RTG fleet will eliminate 70,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The conversion program which will begin immediately, starting with APM Terminals’ Asia-Pacific Region facilities, will take approximately two years to complete. The E-RTG program will be used in terminal development and construction going forward, and is planned to be implemented in the design of the new APM Terminals Moin Terminal Container facility in Costa Rica scheduled to open in 2016.

The new service made its maiden call at SCT on Monday 14 February in the shape of the 209 metre-long, 2500 teu ‘Emirates Rafiki’, which was en route to Mombasa, Dar es Salam, Zanzibar, Nacala and on to Mumbai (Nava Sheva).  During the call Master Captain Piotr Golebiewski, in the presence of other Emirates Shipping Line staff, was presented with a memento by SCT Terminal Manager Paul Hennessy and Gulftainer Commercial Manager Simon Sundboell.Speaking of the new service, Hennessy said, “It’s always a real pleasure to see new customers at SCT, not only for the extra challenge and impetus it gives us to be dealing with new lines and new ships, but also because it reminds us that these are new shipping opportunities for exporters that are based in Sharjah (and the UAE) and dealing with East Africa and South Asia. We look forward to a long relationship with Emirates Shipping Line and this service”. Peter Richards, Managing Director of Gulftainer Group, said, “We are delighted to welcome another new service to SCT, and continue to build on the long history of the terminal, which was the first purpose-built and fully-equipped modern Container Terminal in the Middle East. Sharjah is already a major centre for trade to and from Africa, and this additional service through the SCT gateway provides another step forward for Gulftainer.” SCT lies adjacent to Sharjah’s industrial area, which accommodates over 45 percent of the non-oil manufacturing capacity of the UAE, and handles containers on behalf of over 30 shipping lines, including all of the world’s top 20 companies. Gulftainer Group has over 30 years’ experience operating in the UAE and around the world. In addition to operating two UAE ports on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority – SCT and Khorfakkan Container Terminal – Gulftainer also has a number of projects and investments in several countries, including Iraq, Pakistan and Turkey, as well as in Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Gulftainer’s logistics subsidiary, Momentum Logistics, was established in 2008 to take over the Group’s transportation and logistics business and has offices throughout the Middle East. The company recently announced that it had recorded growth of 10 percent in 2010, handling just over 3 million teu. The double-digit growth had continued from 2009, when the company also achieved a 10 percent increase, at a time when most container terminals worldwide were dramatically affected by the economic downturn.

 The entry of ICTSI, with its global experience in port operations and development, represents the successful conclusion of a major infrastructure project by the Croatian Government.  ICTSI participated in a highly competitive, transparent public tender, and was nominated as the preferred bidder in late 2010.  ICTSI recently concluded negotiations with LR, the existing concession holder. The AGCT is ICTSI’s first venture into Croatia, and the largest Philippine investment in Southeast and Central Europe.  AGCT plans to invest over EUR 70 million during the initial phase of the concession.  Key investments include new super post Panamax quay cranes (QC), high-density rubber tired gantries (RTG) and other mobile handling equipment, comprehensive vessel operations and container terminal management systems, state of the art automated gates, and leading edge security systems among others. Signing ceremonies were recently held at the port city’s Governor’s Palace.  Manuel Fernandez, ICTSI senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Denis Vukorepa, Luka Rijeka management board chairman, signed the agreements. In his message, Enrique K. Razon Jr., ICTSI chairman and president, said:  “I would like to thank and express our deepest appreciation to the Government of Croatia, the County of Primorsko-Goranska, City of Rijeka, Port of Rijeka Authority and Luka Rijeka for choosing ICTSI as its strategic partner for the modernization of the Rijeka container terminal.  Our company is very excited by the prospect and opportunity of being partners with you in developing a world class, efficient and reliable gateway for Croatia.” “Luka Rijeka’s partnership with an experienced global terminal operator like ICTSI will certainly improve container traffic and operations in the terminal.  The expertise and cooperation of the two companies will provide strong logistical support, and open new opportunities for the Port of Rijeka in the Central and Southeastern European markets,” Mr. Vukorepa added.  On the other hand, Mr. Fernandez said:  “We see a very bright future for AGCT.  The planned investments of Luka Rijeka and ICTSI, together with the cooperation of the workforce, will significantly boost efficiency levels at the terminal, and expand its reach and influence across an extended hinterland.” Bradjica Container Terminal, which will be named Adriatic Gate Container Terminal to bear the same name of the operating company, is undergoing an intensive modernization program under the Rijeka Gateway Project.  The project aims to improve the port’s competitiveness through the active participation of the private sector as well as link Rijeka and the Balkan region to international transport corridors.  The project includes the extension of the terminal’s south quay to 330 meters and dredging of its draft to 14.5 meters.  The terminal’s container yard is being expanded to accommodate 600,000 TEUs in annual capacity.Aside from serving Croatian trade, the terminal is being primed to be the trading gateway for Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, south Poland, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, all of which are natural hinterlands of the Port of Rijeka.  The port city is also the nearest port to the emerging economic centers of Central Europe:  Zagreb, capital city of Croatia; Budapest, capital city of Hungary; and Belgrade, capital city of Serbia. ICTSI will implement its global expertise to raise the standard of service at the AGCT in line with international best practices in terminal operations.  This includes intermodal rail operations and upgrade of rail facilities in coordination with other partners. The Port of Rijeka is located in the northern part of Kvarner Bay, where the Adriatic Sea retracts towards the European continent.  It is the largest port in Croatia handling a wide variety of cargo such as ore, timber, grain, phosphate, and crude and refined petroleum products.  AGCT’s container terminal, on the other hand, has a 59-meter roll on-roll off ramp, a 164-meter quay at the western portion of the terminal, a 295-meter quay at the southern portion, and a 14-hectare container yard.  Key container handling equipment includes four QCs, four RTGs and eight reach stackers.

David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) which owns Harwich International Port said: “This will be the third time that Harwich International Port has acted as the main installation port for an offshore wind project, having first acted for Gunfleet Sands and then Greater Gabbard. For a time, Greater Gabbard and London Array will run concurrently, demonstrating the port’s ability to accommodate two of the world’s largest offshore windfarm construction projects simultaneously.  This latest contract consolidates our position as the UK’s current leading port for offshore windfarm development – an achievement to be proud of.” Located in the outer Thames Estuary, the London Array could eventually power up to 750,000 homes, the equivalent of a quarter of Greater London.  Phase 1 installation will commence in February 2011, ending in 2012 and will consist of 175 Siemens 3.6MW turbines.