The firm expands even further on the east coast as Heather secures Kennedy/Jenks’ Virginia presence, an area we hope to grow in the future.

Ms. Wood comes to Kennedy/Jenks from The Port of Virginia, the third largest container port complex on the U.S. East Coast, where she worked since 2001. Most recently for the Port, she served as Director of Sustainability and previously served as Vice President of Government Affairs and Director of Environmental Affairs. As Director of Sustainability, Ms. Wood developed and directed sustainability strategy, policy, and programming for the Port and was responsible for environmental  performance, public outreach, and regulatory affairs related to port operations and the Virginia maritime industry. She served as the Port’s representative and consultant on international and national issues and policies related to sustainability, transportation, navigation, and environment.

A nationally-recognizedsustainability executive in maritime transportation and the multi-modal  logistics industry, Ms. Wood holds advanced degrees in maritime public policy and business administration. She has recently been re-appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe to a four-year term as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s State Water Control Board, a position she’s held since 2011. Ms. Wood previously served as Chairman of the Environment Committees for the American Association of Port Authorities and Virginia Maritime Association.

Sean O’Brien, Kennedy/Jenks’ Vice President and National Transportation Director states, “Heather is a valuable addition to Kennedy/Jenks and will be instrumental in supporting our expansion goals in the ports, maritime, and transportation market sectors. In addition, we’re thrilled to have her lead the effort in establishing a Virginia presence for the firm.”

This makes SSAM the first container terminal in the Americas to operate 100% on electric power. The joint achievement between Conductix-Wampfler and SSAM marks a growing shift from diesel Rubber Tyred Gantries (RTGs) to electrified “E-RTGs”. Traditionally, RTGs run on diesel fuel. But with rising fuel costs and environmental concerns, terminals around the world have begun to introduce this cleaner and more efficient method of operation.

Recognizing the potential for increased productivity and environmental improvements, SSAM embarked on a mission to become the first fully electrified terminal in the Americas. SSAM began the transition to electric in September 2012, partnering with Conductix-Wampfler to retrofit eight RTGs to E-RTGs. With technical support and training from Conductix-Wampfler, SSAM successfully completed the retrofit using their own manpower. Over the next 2½ years, SSAM progressively worked to convert a total of 32 RTGs to electric, while also purchasing four new E-RTGs from Chinese manufacturer ZPMC, all equipped with Conductix-Wampfler cable reels.

“SSAM’s successful transition to a 100% electrical operation, using their own manpower, is an outstanding technical achievement,” said Gustavo Oberto, Managing Director of SMO Americas at Conductix-Wampfler. Gabriel Juri, Cranes Maintenance Manager, SSA Mexico, added that, “Personnel development is key to our success at SSAM. We are extremely proud that this project was engineered and executed by our own personnel.”

To complete the initiative, SSAM also converted four Paceco RTGs into RMGs for intermodal rail yard operations. Those units are powered with Conductix-Wampfler’s Hevi-Bar II Conductor Bar System. With the transition complete, SSAM is well on its way to increasing efficiency and cost savings while meeting all the latest environmental demands. The E-RTGs employ new technologies that greatly reduce emissions and enhance productivity, reliability and flexibility. “The transition to E-RTGs is a clear benefit no matter how you look at it,” commented Gabriel Juri of SSAM. “We are extremely satisfied with the performance of the E-RTGS, particularly due to the higher speeds and increased productivity from not having to refuel or conduct diesel engine maintenance.”

SSAM’s fully electrified terminal sets the pace for the industry, by dramatically reducing diesel fuel consumption and emissions. The new technology reduces fuel consumption by an estimated 95 percent. In addition, E-RTGs are more reliable than diesel-powered versions with less downtime. This reduction in both fuel demand and maintenance costs will mean a significant net savings each year for SSAM.

Overall, the mutual achievement between Conductix-Wampfler and SSAM in establishing the first fully electrified terminal in the Americas, will mean great payback for SSAM in the long run and a continued trend towards electrification in other ports across the world.

The new 8,600 TEU service from Hanjin, one of the world’s top ten shipping lines, will directly link SOHAR to the Far East and is a significant addition in terms of direct connectivity for Sohar.

His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al-Futaisi, the Sultanate’s Minister of Transport and Communications, representatives of Hanjin Shipping, as well as executives from Oman International Container Terminal (OICT) and Sohar Port and Freezone, were on the quayside to welcome the arrival of the South Korean container vessel.

The inaugural ceremony celebrated the continued and successful growth of the Port, where handling capacity at the state-of-the-art container terminal, operated by OICT, has doubled over the past year. With the relocation of all commercial traffic from Muscat to Sohar in 2014, and the newly expanded Terminal C now fully operational, SOHAR is now equipped to manage 1.5 million TEUs per year. Hanjin is the second major shipping line to join SOHAR in the last three months, with the Port welcoming the arrival of the EGL Messini from global line Evergreen, in May 2015.

The new Hanjin service will facilitate direct links to include South Korea, China, Malaysia, and Singapore. SOHAR Chief Executive Andre Toet says: “The past year has been of huge significance for SOHAR Port and specifically for our container business with OICT; the growth in both size and efficiency at OICT has led to more new lines and, most importantly, more direct connections. These direct calls help us to sink costs, savings that can be passed on all the way through the supply chain.”

SOHAR Freezone Jamal Aziz added: “Our goal is ultimately to secure that all imports and exports from and for Oman go through Omani ports, and adding this new direct service is another important step on that journey. SOHAR Port Authority is actively working together with OICT and our other terminals on strategies to achieve this.”

Chief Executive of OICT, Albert Pang, summed up: “It is with great pleasure that OICT welcomes the maiden call of the Hanjin Hamburg running on a new direct service connecting Sohar to the Far East. This service is evidence of shipping lines’ confidence in OICT’s growing prominence as Oman’s gateway for international trade in addition to its position as a hub for container carrier connections. A combination of the latest IT systems and technology, a highly-skilled workforce and continuous investments in facilities allow us to offer customers the highest standards of service and efficiency and we will continue to build for the future of trade in the region. “