The order was signed in June 2015 with delivery expected in November 2015.

As part of the plan to become one of the largest container terminals in Chile, PCE is building a new multipurpose terminal with a 15m draft, allowing the port to handle Post-Panamax ships. Phase 1 of the project, which will transform Puerto Central into a multipurpose terminal with a capacity of 1.3 million TEUs, has already benefitted from the delivery of seven Kalmar E-One2 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) in July 2015. In addition, the terminal operates with eight Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors.

Mauricio Argandona, Operations Manager of Puerto Central S.A., commented: “Kalmar’s new-generation terminal tractors and forklift trucks are highly reliable products that allow us to start the next phase of our project and ensure its success in the short and long run. We have a commitment to becoming one of the largest ports in Chile and yet again Kalmar has provided the best equipment solutions in a short delivery time.”

Alexandre Esse, Commercial Manager at Kalmar Brazil, said: “We are delighted to receive this repeat order from PCE as an endorsement of the superior quality products we build and the reliability of Kalmar as a supplier. The final commissioning and handover of our RTG cranes, manufactured at Rainbow-Cargotec Industries in China, were done in July on time and according to the original plan. Once again we are committed to delivering state-of-the-art machines which provide a level of productivity and efficiency that meets their needs in this critical next
stage of expansion.”

Ships will call at APM Terminals, the container terminal at the Port of Gothenburg, once a week. Up to now, Sweden has had just one direct container service to the Far East – the weekly service operated from Gothenburg by MSC and Maersk Line. Tomorrow a second service will be added. The international G6 Alliance
has invested heavily in a direct freight service between Sweden and Asia.

“A wide range of services is crucial for Swedish industry and that is why it is very encouraging indeed that the G6 Alliance believes in the Swedish market and in the Port of Gothenburg as a freight hub. Direct services mean rapid, safe transport with excellent reliability,” said Claes Sundmark, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at the Port of Gothenburg.

The new service is definitely in keeping with the times. APM Terminals is well prepared following a series of new investments and an upgraded terminal, making it possible to receive ships and volumes of this
size.

“With what is virtually a new terminal, new cranes, new straddle carriers and upgraded land areas we have the capacity to handle vessels of this size rapidly and efficiently. We hope to secure increased volumes from both Sweden and Norway and more customers of this size,” said Patrik Thulin, CCO at APM Terminals in Gothenburg.

Service operated by six shipping companies

The G6 Alliance comprises the Singapore-based company APL, the Korean company Hyundai, the Japanese companies MOL and NYK, the German company Hapag Lloyd and the Hong Kong-based company OOCL. The last time the G6 Alliance operated out of Gothenburg was in 2012.

“We have noted an increase in trade between Scandinavian and China, in particular exports to China. That is why we are returning to Gothenburg with the largest and most modern ships in our fleet,” said Fredrik Håkansson Säll, General Manager at Hyundai Merchant Marine.

Weekly sailing to China

The first ship bound for the Far East will leave Gothenburg on August 28, carrying mainly forest products, steel and machinery. The service will
then call at APM Terminals in Gothenburg once a week. Imports will include
clothing, electronics, foodstuffs, white goods and industrial components. The
ships used in this rotation can carry around 14,000 containers*.

The rotation covers the following ports: Qingdao (China) –
Shanghai (China) – Hong Kong (China) – Yantian (China) – Singapore
(Singapore) – Rotterdam (Netherlands) – Hamburg (Germany) – Gdansk (Poland) –
Gothenburg (Sweden) – Antwerp (Belgium) – Southampton (United Kingdom) –
Singapore (Singapore) – Yantian (China) – Qingdao (China).

* 20-foot containers, TEU.

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