Together with Dr Volker Brandenburg (responsible for Finance, Controlling, General Administration, Purchasing and Production), he forms the Management Board of Aumund Fördertechnik GmbH. Step by step Robert Gruss will take over additional responsibilities from the managing partner Franz-W Aumund.

For the conveying specialist, Robert Gruss shall develop the order intake beyond the cement industry and further diversify into metallurgy, mining & minerals and other industries. Among his tasks is the enhancement of the representative network, raise efficiency in sales, innovation and product management as well as intensification of cooperation with the foreign subsidiaries of the internationally operating Aumund Group.

Gruss started his professional career with SMS in 1995. For several years he worked in Italy, Beijing and Belgium in managing positions. The new Managing Director will face his new challenge with the most diverse experiences from sales, international market development, supply chain management and process optimisation.

During this year, President Franz-W Aumund will gradually retire from operational business. He will continue as Managing Director of Aumund Holding BV and as member of the advisory boards of the product and daughter companies. Primarily he will dedicate himself to steering and controlling of the Aumund Group.

Captain Scotto Di Fasano Francesco was presented with the traditional port plaque associated with a maiden call in the presence of Abu Dhabi Terminals’ CEO, Martijn van de Linde, Captain Giordano Gelasini, Regional Director, Messina – Dubai and several representatives and guests of both companies.

Jolly Titanio is 240m long by 37.50m wide with 6,350m of Ro-Ro cargo capacity designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks and trailers. Capable of carrying 3,900 TEU, it is the largest container Ro-Ro vessel to call in the UAE. The vessel will call at KPCT every fifteen days with a port rotation of Castellon-Genoa- Salerno- Aqaba-Port Sudan-Jeddah-Djibouti-Bandar Abbas-Jebel Ali-Abu Dhabi-Jubail-Djibouti-Jeddah-Misurata.

Its decision to berth at KPCT is testament to the Abu Dhabi Terminal’s world-class efficiency and capability in handling mega-vessels, further cementing its position as an industry leader.

The vessel was delivered to Messina Line on 13th November 2014 and is the first of a new series of Ro-Ro containerships and part of the second stage of a major US$500 million development plan that the Genoa based shipping company is currently undertaking. It is equipped with high-tech anti-pollution system such as an innovative gas cleaning system able to operate both in navigation and in port.

“Jolly Titanio’s maiden call at Khalifa Port Container Terminal witnesses the restructuring of Messina Line service with four ultra-modern, latest technology and specialized Ro-Ro vessels to better serve Abu Dhabi and UAE customers offering flexibility which are second to none in the market.” said Captain Giordano Gelasini, Regional Director, Messina – Dubai.

Martijn van de Linde, CEO, Abu Dhabi Terminals said: “Messina Line is one of ADT’s longest standing customers since their first vessel arrived in Abu Dhabi in 1995. We value our strong longtime relationship with Messina Line and look forward to welcoming the Jolly Titanio again on her future voyages.”

“ADT is committed to an on-going program of expansion to ensure that we stay ahead of the game when it comes to providing first class service to our customers. We successfully increased our network to 52 international destinations and have developed strong relationships with the shipping and logistics community that have made Khalifa Port as their hub.” he added.