The CMA CGM – PSA Lion Terminal (CPLT) started operations with two mega container berths at PSA Singapore’s Pasir Panjang Terminal 5 (PPT 5) that had an initial annual capacity of 2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in July 2016. With the addition of two more berths under Phase 2 of its development, CPLT is now equipped with a total operating capacity of 4 million TEUs. CPLT has achieved high service levels with an average Gross Berth Productivity of more than 160 moves per hour for the mega vessels since the beginning of 2017.

Leveraging the industry-leading port infrastructure and technologies including the state-of-the-art yard automation at PSA’s newest PPT expansion, CPLT is well-primed to serve the mega vessels of CMA CGM and the affiliate shipping lines of the Group. This also enhances Singapore’s standing as a premier International Maritime Centre.

Mr. Jean-Yves Duval, Senior Vice President Asia, CMA CGM Asia Regional Office said: “This is another exciting milestone for CMA CGM as part of the Group’s continuing efforts to make Singapore our main hub in the region, while reiterating the importance of Singapore to our global strategy.”

Mr. Ong Kim Pong, Regional CEO Southeast Asia, PSA International said: “PSA is deeply honoured by the trust that CMA CGM has placed on us to serve as their Asian hub for the long haul. We look forward to the opportunities this brings to support trade between the ever-growing economies of the Asia-Pacific region, and the world.”

The National Air and Naval Service of Panama (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval – SENAN) has taken delivery of four Interceptor 1102 vessels from Damen Shipyards Group. The President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, performed the christening ceremonies of all four vessels on 6 February 2017.

Coinciding with the vessel handover, SENAN also signed a second contract with Damen for an additional batch of four Interceptors. Both contracts include a comprehensive after-sales package that consists of training, spare parts and maintenance.

Talking about the inaugural contract with SENAN, Damen Sales Manager Americas Pieter Becker states: “We are happy and very proud to welcome SENAN as a new client. This is a very professional organisation with whom we are looking forward to building a strong relationship.”

SENAN will mobilise the four new vessels from its Fort Sherman Naval Base located at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. The vessels’ primary function will be to combat illegal drug-trafficking activities in the surrounding area.

Special force ops
To this end, the Damen Interceptor 1102 is an extremely suitable choice of boat. Its low weight construction from fibre reinforced polymer composite materials combined with twin Volvo D6 engines deliver outstanding results. “This is an ultra-fast vessel,” highlights Mr Becker. “It can reach speeds of more than 55 knots.” Contributing to such high speeds is the vessel design: the single chine hull reduces the amount of impact in heavier seas and improves high speed manoeuvrability.

Crew ergonomics and safety are also important aspects of the Interceptor 1102 design. Damen has carried out a substantial amount of R&D to optimise both these matters for the six persons on board (two crew plus four additional naval or security personnel).

Such specifications make the 11-metre long Interceptor also ideal for other maritime security operations like anti-smuggling, anti-terrorist, rapid response, surveillance and Special Forces operations.

The full package
Construction of all the Interceptor 1102 vessels is being handled by Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey. “We handed the first four vessels over to SENAN just 12 weeks after the contract became effective,” says Mr Becker, highlighting the benefits of Damen’s stock building strategy that can be seen in such short delivery times. “And now the after-sales phase begins – we will be providing SENAN with a broad service package comprising training, spare parts and our maintenance management system.”