The acquisition will complement Cargotec’s strategic aim of being a leader in intelligent cargo handling. Cargotec will gain more competence in technologically advanced software and service solutions and attains a global footprint with branch offices, service stations and partner representations.

Cargotec has agreed to acquire all the shares in the German software and service company INTERSCHALT. INTERSCHALT’s sales in 2014 amounted to EUR 42 million and it employs over 200 people. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2016 and is subject to the approval of competition authorities after which INTERSCHALT will be consolidated into Cargotec’s figures. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction value.

“During the last couple of years, we have been focusing on improving our profitability and now we are ready to take the next strategic step in implementing our strategy,” says Mika Vehviläinen, CEO of Cargotec. “Our target is to get 40% of sales from services and software in five years’ time. This acquisition is an excellent strategic fit to our Navis and XVELA offerings within the Kalmar organisation, and it will also bring new service business for MacGregor.”

“The acquisition of INTERSCHALT is part of our strategy of growing our software business in new areas and creating more value for existing and new customers. The acquisition will add customers, talent, additional knowledge, capabilities and software products to support the future growth of XVELA as the leading collaboration platform serving the needs of ocean carriers, terminals and their shipping partner,” says Olli Isotalo, President of Kalmar. “We are very excited about the great growth opportunities we have ahead of us.”

“Very soon after starting discussions about this acquisition, it became clear that we all shared the same strategic vision about the future of the maritime industry. INTERSCHALT’s and Cargotec’s software solutions together will help greatly our customers in their value creation in increasingly complex world of maritime logistics,” says Robert Gärtner, CEO of INTERSCHALT.

Interschalt provides software solutions and services for the maritime industry, and its activities are structured into two segments: software solutions for cargo and fleet management as well as
maintenance, repair and retrofit services for bridge navigation and communication equipment as well as for data voyage recorder systems. Cargotec is planning to integrate software solutions into the Kalmar business area and services into the MacGregor business area.

Areas of concentration include Los Angeles, Long Beach, the Pacific Northwest and western Canada. These regions have been identified as most suited to its realignment goals.

Ports America’s long-standing joint venture partnership at West Basin Container Terminal (WBCT) and its recently acquired 30 percent ownership of International Transportation Services (ITS) are key locations for Ports America’s strategy. Accordingly, Ports America is active in planning its expansion and investment opportunities in its existing locations at both the
Port of Tacoma and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Further, Ports America has been invited into the process for new opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. As part of its ongoing successful management of cargo operations, Ports America will continue to work with all stakeholders, personnel and labor as part of its targeted expansion strategy.

Given this strategy, the JV partners in Outer Harbor Terminal, LLC (OHT) have decided to change the arrangement with the Port of Oakland by returning back to the port the OHT leased property. OHT is organizing this exit transition to ensure seamless continuity of services. OHT will be coordinating closely with equipment suppliers and other vendors as it continues to provide
vessel services for 30 days and then take an additional 30 days to transition out of the terminal.

This West Coast strategy complements what Ports America already has accomplished on the East Coast by investing in superior equipment and infrastructure at Ports America’s locations such as Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore and Miami, where, upon completion of the Panama Canal expansion, the markets will demand it.

At PNCT, Ports America will invest $500 million before the year 2030 for expansion, which is expected to double the number of containers moving through the terminal and create significant economic growth within the region. PNCT already has doubled its on-dock rail capacity, purchased three super-post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes and other upgrades that cement PNCT’s
readiness for the ultra-large container vessels. Further expansion plans include additional yard, improved gate facility, additional deep berths and additional super-post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes.

For the 284-acre Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore, Ports America Chesapeake has an aggressive $500 million investment program for enhancement
efficiencies that have included four super-post-Panamax cranes, increased water
depth, and the recently announced agreement with CSX to operate the

Intermodal Transfer Service, an on-dock access to rail that is a
significant differentiator. As a result of these investments, Ports America
Chesapeake’s Seagirt Marine Terminal ranked in the “Top 10” U.S. terminals
category in berth productivity, according to the 2014 JOC Port Productivity
Report, with the Port of Baltimore ranking highest among the “Top 10” U.S.
ports. A key goal of the Ports America refocused West Coast strategy is to gain
a place for a U.S. West Coast port on this prestigious list.

The DP World Kigali Logistics project is a Greenfield concession agreement and the first phase will be built on 90,000m² (969,000 sq ft) with a 12,000m² (129,000 sq ft) container yard and a 19,600m² (211,000 sq ft) warehousing facility. Estimated annual capacity is 50,000 TEUs and 640,000 tonnes of warehousing space. Total project cost is estimated at $35 million, and further development will be phased in line with demand growth.

Rwanda aims to enhance the country’s logistics industry to support the export of products for regional and international markets. The DP World Kigali Logistics Centre is expected to significantly contribute to the development of this strategy.

DP World Chairman HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said:

“DP World is delighted to have been granted this concession in Kigali, Rwanda. We are excited by this opportunity to use our expertise to build best-in-class infrastructure to ensure the continued development and growth for Kigali and the wider economy.”

DP World Group Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Sharaf said:

“We continue to be optimistic about the outlook for Africa and are proud to expand our footprint in the region. We aim to further develop the logistics sector through DP World Kigali Logistics to help meet the country’s 2020 vision of creating a strong domestic logistics services operator in the region.”

The partnership is further strengthened by Rwanda’s economic transformation in recent years, consistently delivering over 7% GDP growth and today it is also ranked as the most competitive country in East Africa by the World Economic Forum’s global competitiveness report.

The Crew Union of Towage and Salvage and the Tug Boats Crew Union of Thessaloniki have confirmed their participation on the strike which is scheduled to start at 06:00 local time on 20 January and end at 06:00 on 22 January. During the stoppage period, vessels will not be able to berth, shift or sail from the affected ports.

The action has been called by the union in response to the Government’s planned changes to labour and insurance rights, pensions and retirement ages.

ISS Greece is working with its clients to minimise delays and will keep its clients updated.