Currently the main port of Aruba is the Port of Oranjestad, which receives both cruise vessels and cargo vessels. The Port of Oranjestad is located at the waterfront of the city center and is surrounded by facilities for tourism e.g. hotels, beaches and shopping centers. APA has formally decided to relocate the cargo activities from its main port in Oranjestad to the port site of Barcadera. With the relocation, it aims to develop the touristic activities (i.e. cruise) in Oranjestad and to improve the quality of life in the city centre. The new multi-cargo sea terminal at the Barcadera site shall be implemented with a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer Concession Agreement (DBFOMT). For the transaction of the Concession an open Tender Procedure is applied.

APA NV and the Government of Aruba have decided that the Barcadera project will be implemented as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) under the Landlord Model. APA will be responsible for the typical Landlord tasks such as investments in and maintenance of basic quay-infrastructure, dredging of the navigation channels, marine services, land leasing and port administration. The concessionaire will be responsible for the investments in terminal infrastructure, labor and operational activities. The total combined investment by APA and the concessionaire is estimated at approximately USD 62 million.

Completion of Construction works and fully operational: 1.5 years after signing of the Concession Contract.

A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on the 28th of February 2011, at 15.00 hours at the offices of Aruba Ports Authority. An Information Note outlining any additional information will be issued and will be available at the office of Aruba Ports Authority NV or is mailed to the bidders. The closing time for tenders will be on April 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. (Aruba time).

“The arrival of these two new cranes demonstrates our determination to meet the requirements of our customers, potential new customers as well as industry trends. Taking into account the dredging of the berths, we are now able to provide better facilities and services to our customers and give them more flexibility. These two new Liebherr cranes join four sister cranes commissioned during 2008 and 2009. Dredging work to deepen berth 205 and 206 and to widen berth 207 was completed in December 2010,” commented Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton.

The new cranes are an important addition to the existing fleet of 10 gantry cranes and a mobile harbour crane.  It will bring the total number of 22 container wide capable cranes to six and together with the remaining crane fleet they will enable the terminal to service three ultra large container vessels at the same time. This investment fits well with the recently completed dredging programme which provides over 1,000m of quay with more than 14m depth.

The six super post-panamax cranes are capable of lifting containers 45 metres above the quay which enables the handling of 14,000 TEU vessels with nine tiers of containers on deck and 11 under deck.  CMA CGM Cristophe Colomb and CMA CGM Magellan, which called at the terminal during 2010, and the CMA CGM Alaska which is due to call at the terminal later this month are examples of such vessels.  The industry trend towards these ultra large vessels is very evident with many other shipping lines having already taken delivery of similar sized vessels or has them on order.  Potentially such large container vessels can mean a reduction of carbon emissions compared to smaller vessels.

The Brazilian Port of Itajai has started first quarter operations at full steam and already expects to handle this year a record breaking 1.1 million TEU. Once that mark has been reached it will represent a 15% growth over the 953,013 TEU handled in 2010. The 78,079 TEU handled in January against the 59,035 TEU moved in the same period in 2010 greatly reinforce the confidence to reach a 1 million TEU throughput.

Liebherr Log Handlers have a maximum lifting capacity of 30 tonnes (at an outreach of up to 5.5m). A uniquely curve-shaped telescopic boom offers unrivalled reach up to 10m and up to a height of 12m. A second key advantage is the possibility of handling logs from below ground level. This comprises the unique possibility of handling logs until 6m below quay. The grab can be rotated through 360 degrees as well as pivoting forwards, backwards and sidewards. The LRS 645 LH made its operational debut for Szepaniak, a wood handling specialist operating paper and saw mills in Finland. A further rental contract was signed with Zellstoff Stendal GmbH, the largest manufacturer of kraft pulp in Central Europe.

Like all Liebherr reachstacker, the new Log Handler has a step less individual hydrostatic drive system, which achieves impressive fuel savings. All the materials used in the LRS LH have passed long-term tests to ensure that they match up to Liebherr’s exacting standards even in the toughest conditions. Liebherr components and assemblies designed and manufactured in-house, including the LRS LH’s multi-circuit hydraulics and the Liebherr diesel engine, are precisely suited to the machine’s needs; they ensure extended working life and a high level of economy. Ergonomics also received special attention when developing LRS 645 LH. All parts of the machine can be reached easily and safely and the cab sets new standards in size and operating convenience. All the controls are located within the operator’s direct action radius. The driver’s cabin is elevated to provide best possible view and the layout is retrofitted as standard with a full protective grille. Further safety designs include a roll bar at the boom, drive wagon protection and a log pusher at the front.