With a boom range of
51 meters, these container gantry cranes are capable of discharging or loading the farthest in a row of 18 containers on deck. In twin-lift operation, the cranes each have a lifting capacity of 65 tons. This optimally equips Bronka as a multifunctional cargo- handling facility for clearing the latest
post-Panamax-plus vessels. The deepwater port of Bronka will be equipped with a total of four post-Panamax container gantry cranes manufactured at Liebherr’s Rostock plant. “We shall be using only highly efficient equipment and cutting-edge technologies in the new port of Bronka. Liebherr’s STS cranes are equipped with state-of-the art speed control systems, an advanced loader control system with high torsional stiffness, as well as high-grade metal structures,” says Alexei Shukletsov, CEO of the Port of Bronka. This was already the second merchant vessel to have called at the new Port of Bronka before the official port inauguration planned for September, 2015. The “Meri” arrived from the port of Hanko in Finland in June with the first three of a total of ten RTG cranes manufactured by the Finnish crane builder Konecranes. With a lifting capacity of 50 tons beneath the spreader, these have a stacking height of one-over-five standard containers and can reach over a stack width of six containers plus discharge and load rail tracks. The deepwater Port of Bronka’s cutting edge terminal facilities and the recently built port access canal permit the acceptance and clearance of post-Panamax vessels with a slot capacity of up to 8,100 TEU. Water depth during the first stage of construction in September 2015 will be 11.2 meters. By the end of the year this is planned to reach 14.4 meters, with prospects of 16.0 meters. That will further enhance
the competitiveness of this new cargo handling facility. Bronka, St. Petersburg’s new outlying port, is accordingly an outstanding addition to the
Port of St. Petersburg’s existing terminals that do not possess the essential technology or water depth for handling mega-ships. The deepwater Port of Bronka is being built on the Southern bank of the Gulf of Finland, on the outskirts of St. Petersburg and near the municipality of Lomonossov. The multi-functional cargo handling facility comprises two terminals plus a logistics centre. Covering 107 hectares, the container terminal offers five berths along quays extending 1,200 meters. The RoRo terminal covers 57 hectares, and with a quay length of 710 meters permits simultaneous handling of three ships. At the first stage of construction, handling capacity of the container terminal totals 1.45 million TEU per year, plus 260,000 units at the RoRo terminal. A first-stage water depth of 14.4 metres enables the Port of Bronka to handle post-Panamax vessels.
The multifunctional Bronka handling facility is scheduled to enter service in September 2015.
New deepwater Port of Bronka receives Liebherr container gantry cranes
Ribbon cutting celebrates new Port of Vancouver USA rail entrance
Known as the trench, the project is a key part of the port’s $275 million West Vancouver Freight Access project (WVFA), which helps reduce regional rail congestion by up to 40 percent, ensuring businesses along the West Coast and between Portland, Oregon, and Chicago can effectively move products from source to market.
Today’s ribbon cutting featured port officials, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Gov. Jay Inlsee. A crowd of about 100 people from various partner agencies, port businesses and community groups also joined in the celebration.
“Everyone speaking today and many in the audience played a huge part in realizing this project, from Sen. Cantwell’s support of freight to Sen. Murray’s hard work on the TIGER grant program, and all those who provided funding for this project,” said port CEO Todd Coleman. “We thank you for helping keep the Port of Vancouver, our region and our state competitive.”
Sen. Cantwell stressed how critical freight projects like WVFA are to the efficient movement of goods, helping Washington state businesses remain competitive as markets change and trade is increasingly globalized.
“One thing’s clear,” she said. “Freight can’t wait. It has to move.”
And that’s just the point of the trench, which eliminates conflicts between trains entering the port and triples the port’s rail capacity, allowing tenants to efficiently move products like grain, steel, Subaru vehicles and wind energy components.
The trench was completed $8 million under budget and ahead of schedule.
The entire WVFA is expected to be complete in 2017, roughly a year ahead of schedule, and about $50 million under original estimates.
Draft restrictions on the Panama Canal due to drought
From 8 September 2015, the maximum authorised transit draft for the Panama Canal will be 11.89 metres (39.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). The advance guidance issued by the Panama Canal Authority is specifically to enable vessels loading in distant ports to adjust cargo loading plans and allow them to comply with the draft restriction on arrival at the Panama Canal.
The new restrictions also state that vessels loaded prior to 11 August 2015 to a draft over 11.89 metres (39.0 feet) will be waived for transit, subject to safety considerations. However, vessels loaded on or after 11 August 2015 must comply with the restrictions and may be required to trim or offload cargo, depending on the actual level of Gatun Lake at the time of the transit (where the lake level allows, the transit of vessels at deeper draft may be permitted).
Vessels may load to drafts deeper than 11.89 metres (39.0 feet) up to 12.04 meters (39.5 feet) after 11 August 2015 provided that they transit prior to 8 September 2015.
Further restrictions may also be imposed by the Panama Canal according to future forecasts on the level of Gatun Lake.
Global Ports new Chief Executive Officer
Vladislav Baumgertner has extensive experience of successfully developing and managing large industry-leading businesses with a strong international focus. As CEO of Uralkali, and a key member of the management team for a decade from 2003, Vladislav Baumgertner oversaw the company’s transformation into the world’s largest potash producer, as well as its listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
“Vladislav’ s excellent track record speaks for itself and we are delighted to have him taking up this key position at an important time for the Group,” said Tiemen Meester, Chairman of Global Ports. “There are few executives with his combination of skills in developing already strong businesses to be even stronger. Vladislav has led companies in challenging economic times as well as through important periods of growth and has always done so with an eye to creating a fitter, better positioned business. He has the right expertise and experience to strengthen our leadership team as we build on Global Ports’ position as the largest operator in the Russian container port sector.”
Meester added: “I would also like to pay tribute to Alexander for his enormous contribution to the development of Global Ports. As CEO since it was founded, Alexander assembled an impressive team – the very best in the industry – and guided the Company through a truly transformational period, culminating in the takeover of NCC in 2013, to create the undisputed industry leader it is today. Together with this team, he has significantly improved the Group’s efficiency, introduced best-in-class corporate governance standards and led Global Ports to its successful IPO on the London market in 2011. We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to remain on the Board so that we will continue to have access to his vast industry knowledge and clear vision as we take our business to new heights.”