The Kalmar FastCharge solution is based on the same opportunity charging technology that is used in electric buses. The charging station with a pantograph direct current charging system is located flexibly on the working route of the machines in the terminal. The machine has modern Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries which enable fast charging to be used. Charging happens during the idle time in the machine working cycle when it has stopped to wait for the container. Typical charging time in operation is 30 to 180 seconds, and with the maximum charging power of 600 kW, full charge can be achieved in a few minutes.

“Customers have been asking for electric powered shuttle operation for a while already”, says Dr. Tero Kokko, Vice President, Horizontal Transportation at Kalmar. “This technology makes the charging process smooth, as there is no need to take the machine out of operation for battery swapping. Neither is there a need to invest in battery swapping stations and extra batteries.” He continues: “Our hybrid technology has been extremely well received by the market. We have long experience in Lithium-Ion technology in hybrid machines, and this development is a natural next step in reducing emissions. This latest complement to our portfolio will provide excellent value to terminals which are facing even tighter environmental requirements.”

The Kalmar FastCharge solution consists of electric powered shuttle or straddle carriers and fast charging stations. Kalmar continues to test and verify the solution at the Tampere Technology and Competence Centre in Finland, with plans to bring the solution to the market during 2016.

The ELP will provide fresh polytechnic graduates with a head-start in maritime careers relevant to their course of study. They will benefit from full-time employment, a structured learning framework and career advancement pathways. Eligible PSA staff can also enrol in the ELP to deepen their skills and attain industry-recognised certification.

The ELP collaboration is a key component of a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed today by PSA and SP worth more than S$1.5 million. Both organisations will enhance cooperation in the disciplines of Engineering, Information Technology, and Maritime Business which aims to equip future port professionals with work-ready knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on training.

“PSA aims to enhance Singapore’s status as a global hub port with the expansion of Pasir Panjang Terminals and eventually the development of Tuas megaport. The use of more automated, intelligent and sustainable technologies at these terminals requires a core of specialists with industry-relevant competencies. This collaboration with Singapore Polytechnic will help their staff and students bridge what is taught in the classroom and how it can be applied in the workplace, and strengthen our pipeline of potential future talent for PSA’s business expansion,” said Mr Ong Kim Pong, Regional CEO Southeast Asia, PSA International.

Mr Tan Choon Shian, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Polytechnic said, “Our collaboration with PSA reflects our commitment to help deepen the skills and knowledge of our workforce so that they can remain relevant and further strengthen the maritime sector. This in turn will contribute to the continued success of Singapore.” 2

Another key thrust in joint curriculum development is to design a Port Equipment elective in SP’s Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Technology). This will be particularly useful as the port introduces more intelligent and automated systems.

As part of efforts to boost capability development and knowledge sharing, specialists from PSA will be invited to deliver guest lectures to SP staff and students on the latest developments in port operations and technology.

To help enhance the students’ awareness of the port industry and the excellent career prospects it offers, PSA will also be offering scholarships and book prizes to outstanding students from specific courses, and jointly organise “PSA Challenge” competitions for engineering  students to apply what they have learnt to scenarios in port operations and technology.

ACS service which was launched in 2007 is a direct service ex Chennai to Port Kelang, Singapore, Shanghai, Busan, Ulsan, Hong Kong and Yantian. After sailing from Chennai on its east bound route MV Hyundai Vladivostok Voyage 602E called at Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal (KPCT) on the 26th and sailed the same day carrying an extra 498 export laden containers.

This direct service to South East Asia and China will open up more destinations on East Bound Traffic for EXIM players in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana hinterland apart from Karnataka Western Region. The cargo that will find faster transit will be mainly granite, tobacco, cotton, linters, chilies, yarn, minerals and others from the hinterland.

Krishnapatnam Port Container Terminal organised a welcome ceremony to the captain of MV. Hyundai Vladivostok, onboard, along with its vessel crew, the top officials of HMM India and Choice Intermodal Service. On this occasion Mr Jean Johnson, General Manager, HMM Chennai, congratulated the port. He mentioned that after the commissioning of KPCT, they have been very closely monitoring the cargo growth and potential through this eastern gateway port (KPCT) and wanted to evaluate the potential of this market by making an ad hoc call. Despite the torrential rains battered the entire Andhra Pradesh especially the cargo originating hinterland, the overall response and support from exporters was very positive. At the same time, they were equally impressed by the superior services and facilities of Krishnapatnam Port.

KPCT Management is focused on increasing more services from KPCT as it has excellent last mile connectivity. Its strategic location with outstanding services and facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, deepest draft in the county, efficient & transparent operations and uncongested road & rail connectivity. Further, Krishnapatnam Port has large area earmarked for storage, handling and processing facilities as required by trade transforming KPCT to be the preferred hub for container trade on the East Cost of India.

At a ceremony held 25th November at the Suez Canal Authority’s (SCA) training centre in Ismailia, Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish, the Head of the SCA, formally approved the construction of a new 9.5km long, 17m deep and 250m wide access channel to Port Said East which will permit uninterrupted vessel traffic to the Suez Canal Container Terminal, one of the largest and busiest container facilities on the Mediterranean Sea. At present, due to convoy traffic on the canal, vessels calling Port Said East are restricted to an eight-hour daily transit window. The project is expected to be completed within seven months.

The side channel project is part of the Suez Canal Development Project which included the opening of the significantly enlargedcanal on August 6th, which now permits two-way traffic along the 163km long canal linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. Over 17,000 vessels transited the Suez Canal in 2014, including 6,129 container ships carrying over 42 million TEU. The Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT), which handled 3.4 million TEU in 2014, is part of the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network, and is a joint venture between APM Terminals, with a 55% majority share, COSCO Pacific and the SCA. SCCT will be providing USD15 million toward the side channel project, which will significantly increase vessel traffic to the gateway and trans-shipment hub.

“We are proud to be a part of this newest infrastructure project which reinforces Egypt’s major role as a facilitator in global trade and logistics, and we salute the Egyptian Government’s foresight and ongoing dedication to economic growth and development,” said SCCT Managing Director, Klaus Holm Laursen.

A recently completed SCCT expansion project has enlarged its annual throughput capacity to three million TEUs. This will increase to 5.4 million TEUs annual throughput capacity with the delivery of four new super-Post-Panamax cranes able to work 18,000 TEU capacity vessels; SCCT is the only facility in Egypt able to accommodate vessels of 15,500 TEU and above.