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APM Terminals signs Expansion Plan for Tema

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The deal was signed through Meridian Port Services (MPS), the joint venture between APM Terminals, Bolloré Africa Logistics (Meridian Port Holdings) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA). A follow-up reception to celebrate the MOU signing ceremony was attended by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.

“I’m extremely proud to participate in this historic ceremony graced by His Excellency the President, to witness the signing of the MOU for the development of a new Container Terminal within the GPHA Master Plan for Tema Port. This indeed demonstrates the level of commitment that His Excellency has to the Tema Port Development, which acts as a real economic driver for the country and the Sub-Saharan Region”, stated MPS Chairman Alhaji A. A. Banda.

Approximately USD 145 million has been invested in Tema Port since MPS was incorporated in 2007. In March 2014, the Government of Ghana announced the proposed port upgrade and expansion program to improve rail and roadway connections and expand capacity. Container throughput at MPS, which handles approximately 80% of Tema’s container volume, was 670,000 TEUs in 2013. The expansion will increase the port’s annual container throughput capacity to 3.5 million TEUs.

“MPS is a very successful private/public partnership which has brought global trade to local shores. APM Terminals looks forward to take the next step to drive the development of a world class port expansion which can serve the country of Ghana in the coming decades” said APM Terminals Africa-Middle East Regional head, Peder Sondergaard.

The expansion plans include the development of four deep water berths and an access channel able to accommodate larger vessels now entering the West African trade lanes. A six-lane modern highway will also be constructed between the port at Tema and Accra, to enhance the movement of cargoes into and out of interior points.

APM Terminals is the largest port and terminal operating company in Africa, with 12 operating facilities in 10 countries, including major transhipment facilities in Tangier, Morocco and Port Said East, Egypt. New terminal projects are currently underway at the Port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and Badagry, Nigeria.

Photo caption: Representatives from Meridian Port Services and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority at the signing ceremony for the new USD 1 billion private investment to expand the port of Tema.

SC Ports Authority sees 17 percent Increase in container volumes

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SCPA handled 164,672 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in October, up from 141,049 TEUs moved during the same month last year. Fiscal year to date, TEU volumes are up 14 percent and nearly 13 percent ahead of plan.

As measured in pier containers, October volume increased 19 percent over the same month last year, with 94,470 boxes moved. Fiscal year to date, pier container volume is 12 percent over plan and 15 percent higher than the same period last year.

Total breakbulk cargo tonnage also continues to climb, with fiscal year-to-date volumes 20 percent ahead of plan. Last month Charleston handled with 87,224 pier tons for an increase of 7 percent over fiscal year-to-date plans. Georgetown also contributed to strength in the business segment, with 62,591 pier tons handled in October for a 42 percent gain over planned fiscal year-to-date tonnage.

The South Carolina Inland Port in Greer continues to exceed performance expectations, handling 4,678 rail lifts in October. Fiscal year to date, rail lifts at the facility are up 1.5 times over plan with 17,714 moves since July.

“SCPA’s strong volume and earnings performance is broad-based and reflective of the growth in a number of market segments combined with the fact that our port continues to offer the highest levels of service and reliability in the US port industry,” said SCPA president and CEO Jim Newsome.

“While we are pleased with the strong levels of growth, we expect this growth to moderate in the last two months of the year and into next year. We do believe that the South Atlantic port market will continue to outperform the U.S. port market due to strength in manufacturing along with overall regional growth.”

Newsome discussed the statewide support for harbor deepening received during the public comment period for the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

“We are grateful for the positive comments received concerning the Charleston harbor deepening study. Upon completion, the project will give Charleston the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast,” Newsome said.

In action items, the Board approved an offer from the Furman Company Investment Advisory Services, LLC to purchase the Port of Port Royal for $15.42 million. Pending review and approval of the offer by the SC Budget and Control Board, the SCPA will issue a contract to the Furman Company and a formal inspection period will begin.

“The SCPA is pleased to move forward with the presentation of the offer to the Budget and Control Board,” said SCPA Board Chairman Bill Stern. “We remain committed to selling the Port of Port Royal for the benefit of both the Town and Ports Authority.”

Maher Terminals orders more Konecranes straddle carriers

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This will be Konecranes’ third straddle carrier delivery to Maher Terminals LLC, who operates the largest container terminals in the ports of New York and New Jersey and a fleet of over 185 straddle carriers. As with previous deliveries, the parties involved have agreed not to disclose the value of the order.

The Konecranes straddle carriers on order will be identical to those already delivered. They will be equipped with Konecranes electric drives and power train components, ensuring high durability, reliability and performance while keeping operating and service costs low. In keeping with Maher’s aggressive “Green” initiatives, these straddles will be equipped with the latest Tier 4i, low-emissions engine technology. They will have a hoisting capacity of 40 tons in single container operation and 50 tons in twin-twenty operation, lifting 1-over-2 containers high. They will also be equipped with Konecranes’ Fleet Management System.

“This repeat order is a sign of Maher’s trust in our straddle carrier technology and our local service support,” says Tommi Rautavalta, General Manager Straddle Carriers, Konecranes. “We value our relationship with Maher and we will continue to support them in lifting their business.”

Magsnap – magnetic adapter keeps e-chains on track

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The new “magsnap” was developed by igus to hold the energy chain run onto a metal surface which prevents the chain from swinging back and forth. This eliminates the need for installing a complete guide trough thereby saving cost, assembly time and weight. “The magsnap can be retrofitted quickly and easily even to existing systems,” said Christian Barthen, Global Product Manager for e-chains at the igus GmbH. “Two small magnetic adapters are simply clipped on to every fifth crossbar of an e-chain. If required, depending on the fill weight of the chain, even more crossbars can be equipped with the clips.”

Quiet operations in the most varied applications include material handling, crane applications with hanging energy chains or even fully automatic parking garages. In order to prevent unwanted noise, dampening elements are attached to each magsnap clip, so that the noise due to the attractive force of the magnet is reduced. The magsnap is also suitable for applications with rotary motions, where the chain moves within an enclosure (RBR – Reverse Bend Radius applications). Here the magnetic clips ensure that the chain is held onto the enclosure on the outer radius, allowing a simpler guiding structure.