“These orders demonstrate how Cavotec continues to expand its presence in the global port equipment sector. MoorMasterTM is one of our leading technologies and its continuing success at the Port of Salalah in Oman, and at other ports around world, underlines the great potential of the system,” says Ottonel Popesco, Cavotec CEO.

The largest of these orders is for a number of MoorMasterTM MM400E automated mooring units at the Port of Salalah in Oman, which are to be installed at one of the port’s container berths. The order is the latest in a long series of MoorMasterTM projects at the Port of Salalah, where the technology first went into operation in 2006.

MoorMasterTM is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels in seconds.

To date, some 200 MoorMasterTM units are installed at 28 locations worldwide and have completed more than 130,000 mooring operations at Ro/Ro, container and bulk handling, and lock applications.

Elsewhere, a major crane manufacturer has placed a substantial order for Cavotec’s APS units for installation on 16 Electric Rubber Tyred Gantry (ERTG) cranes, and a large number of yard connection points for a port in India. In addition to the manufacture and supply of this equipment, Cavotec will also be supporting the customer with on site supervision and commissioning.

“We’re especially pleased about the APS project: APS is one ofour newer technologies, and this order indicates the potential it, and our other innovations, have in the market place,” says Luciano Corbetta, Group Market Unit Manager, Ports & Maritime.

APS automates the connection of cranes, ships and other mobile equipment to the power grid using cable reels. The technology promises to make an important contribution to many ports and terminals in terms of safety, environmental performance and operational efficiency.

In the Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) segment, a leading ship owner has ordered six Cavotec AMPtainers; two of which will be mobile units, and four of which will, in the first project of its kind, be installed on two 13,000 TEU container vessels. Cavotec AMPtainers are specially adapted shipping containers, fitted with shore power connection equipment.

Remaining with AMP, and in an important development for the Group’s future growth in the Chinese market, Cavotec is to supply AMP pits and covers for the Port of Yantian and has won an award for three AMP reels for the retrofit of a Yang Ming Line container vessel.

Totalling 104.6 million tons, seaborne cargo throughput in Hamburg was 4.8 percent lower than last year. Even if bulk cargo handling in the first three quarters totalled 34.3 million tons and was therefore once again substantially higher, being up 8.7 percent, this could not fully offset the decline in general cargo throughput. Container throughput in the first nine months totalled 6.7 million TEU (20-ft standard containers), down by 9.2 percent. It proved impossible to maintain the previous year’s strong growth.

“Month over month container volume growth continues to outperform expectations,” said Foltz in his report during GPA’s board meeting Monday. “Inflated volumes in 2014 due to West Coast cargo diversions are beginning to return to normal levels. We are optimistic consumer spending in the U.S. during the upcoming holiday season will lead to volume growth going into 2016.”

Also during the November meeting, the Authority approved $12.75 million in spending for a 63-acre expansion of the Port of Brunswick’s vehicle storage area.
“The growing strength of the Southeastern U.S. market, combined with increased market share at Georgia’s deepwater ports, have required a steady increase in capacity in both Savannah and Brunswick,” said Jim Walters, GPA’s Chairman of the Board. “The action taken by the Board today will serve as a strong sales tool to prospective customers.”

Ongoing efforts to expand capacity at the Port of Savannah will bring the following projects online in 2016: a new truck gate, adding eight interchange lanes; four new ship-to-shore cranes (for a total of 26); 30 new rubber-tired gantry cranes (for a total of 146); and the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Jimmy Deloach Parkway that will provide a direct link between the port and
Interstates 95 and 16.

Foltz also reported the GPA has been awarded a $990,000 EPA grant under the DieselEmission Reduction Act. The money will go toward a truck rebate and finance program to help owner/operators purchase container hauling trucks with a 2010 or newer engine. The program is aimed at retiring older, less efficient diesel trucks in order to reduce emissions. GPA will also partner with a financing vendor to double the program’s capacity to $1.98 million.

“As we continue to grow this business, we are committed to doing it in anenvironmentally responsible way,” Foltz said. “This DERA grant will expand our efforts to reduce diesel emissions.”

Since 2001, GPA has achieved a 51 percent decrease in diesel use per TEU moved. By shifting from diesel to electric power for ship-to-shore cranes, refrigerated container racks and rubber-tired gantry cranes, the authority avoids the use of 5.8 million gallons of diesel annually.