After working on the project with DP World since 2011, Trelleborg supplied 60 super cone SCN 1300 fenders to protect berths 18 and 19, with installation completed in April 2014.

Richard Hepworth, President of Trelleborg’s marine operation, says: “We’ve been working on raising awareness of the issue of rubber quality for a while, and it’s brilliant to see this work translating in practical terms in the market.

“DP World wanted to ensure they could verify the quality of the rubber that would be used in the fender systems for the berths – and as such, built rubber quality parameters into the specification to protect themselves from the risk of poor quality substitutes.”  

Trelleborg recommended DP World test the final fenders when they arrived on site or before shipping from the production facility, using an analytical test developed earlier this year – and that this is built into all specifications. In this case, DP World randomly selected one or two fenders while visiting Trelleborg’s manufacturing plant in Qingdao, China for further TGA testing to ensure continuity of quality throughout the production process.   

Hesham Abdulla, Container Terminal 1 Director, DP World, UAE Region, says: “Trelleborg was able to offer technical support across all parts of the system, from ensuring the rubber element would precisely meet specification, to chains and accessories. Their support and local presence meant that they were a natural choice to supply the project and thanks to their in-house manufacturing capabilities we could even have the solution personalized.”

Personalization included the DP World logo on the unique UHMW PE face pads of the fenders.

Mariam Al Shamsi, Project Manager, Projects Development Department, DP World, UAE Region, said: “The Project is completed and the berth is currently operational”.

Jebel Ali is the world’s largest man-made harbor and the biggest port in the Middle East.  As the world’s ninth largest container port, it plays a vital role in serving the global markets.

Trelleborg’s Super Cone fenders (SCN) are the latest generation of ‘cell’ fenders, with optimal performance and efficiency.  The conical body shape makes the SCN very stable even at large compression angles, and provides excellent shear strength. With overload stops, the SCN are even more resistant to over-compression.

The new terminal – Izmir and Western Turkey’s largest and most modern – in Petkim Port will allow shipping lines to upgrade the size of vessels calling Izmir, as well as introduce direct calls from Asia, the sub-continent and the Middle East for vessels larger than 10,000 TEUs.

“This will be a complete change in Izmir’s role in the global logistics chain.  The ordering of these cranes will ensure that APM Terminals Izmir can deliver efficient, reliable and safe operations for these new services, as well as for the larger inter-European trade in Izmir,” said Mogens Larsen, Managing Director of APM Terminals Izmir.

The manufacturing of the three ship-to-shore (STS) quay cranes and 10 Rubber Tire Gantry (RTG) cranes by ZPMC are currently underway in Shanghai, P.R. China, and will be delivered for Phase 1 of the new APM Terminals Izmir facility in summer 2015.

The STS cranes will have an outreach of 22 containers and will be equipped with the latest safety technology. The RTG cranes will be electric (e-RTG) to minimize carbon dioxide emissions and ensure higher productivity.

Izmir, located in the Izmir region on the Aegean coast – one of Turkey’s fastest growing regions – has a population of four million. Export and imports passing through Izmir support close to 20 million inhabitants.

In February 2013, APM Terminals formalised an agreement with Turkish petrochemical company Petkim to operate a new 1.5 million TEU purpose-built container and general deep-water terminal at Petkim Port in Alia?a, Izmir. Exporters and importers will benefits from the total project investment of USD 400 million that will add urgently needed capacity to the Izmir region.

Phase I is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2015, with phase II to be completed one and a half years later.

In 2013, the Turkish economy ranked 16th globally at USD $1.1 trillion (by Purchasing Power Parity), and is among the fastest growing economies in Europe, with annual GDP growth of 3.5% forecast by the World Bank in 2015.

The signings came just seven weeks after the minister held exploratory talks requested by Christine Cabau Woehrel, CEO of the leading French port, who hosted the follow-up visit by a ten-strong Moroccan delegation.        

The agreements signed by the Marseilles Fos port authority are with Morocco’s national ports agency and the special agency responsible for planning, development and management at the Tanger Med port and industrial complex in Tangiers.  Objectives include:

development of cargo, ro-pax and passenger services, notably a Tanger Med ro-ro line

studies to create a logistics hub for Moroccan agricultural produce

training programmes focused on safety, Vessel Traffic Services and port professions

a support network for personnel in the energy, automobile, agricultural and container sectors

information exchanges on port technology

Total cargo traffic between Marseilles Fos and Moroccan ports currently runs at around 0.5 million tonnes per year.  Six direct links, mainly weekly, include three container and two con-ro lines as well as a car carrier service.  There are also four indirect services – three container and one ro-ro/car carrier.

Mr Rabbah was accompanied by the Tangiers and Casablanca port directors, maritime authority representatives and the head of the Moroccan export association.  They met the mayors and regional politicians during tours of the Marseilles and Fos harbour areas, followed by dinner at the Marseilles Provence chamber of commerce.

The next stage of the initiative is set for September 23-26 when the port’s promotional body Via Marseilles Fos leads a trade mission to Tangiers and Casablanca.  

With more than 25 years’ experience in the maritime industry, Bruce brings high level strategic business experience to HR Wallingford as well as a wealth of technical expertise in the international marine, environmental and energy sectors. Bruce will lead the ongoing development and implementation of HR Wallingford’s strategic plan across all areas of the business.

Dr Jane Smallman, Managing Director of HR Wallingford said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Bruce to the Board of HR Wallingford. His knowledge and understanding of HR Wallingford’s markets and clients will be invaluable as he leads the development of our international business across all sectors. As our business continues to evolve his leadership will ensure that we extend our specialist capabilities and respond, as always, to the needs of our clients.”

Dr Bruce Tomlinson said:

“I am delighted to join HR Wallingford and look forward to the challenge and the variety this role will bring. I’m excited by the opportunity to work with the management team and expert staff at HR Wallingford to further enhance our international reputation for innovation and excellence. Research will remain at the heart of what we do, and we will continue to develop exciting new technologies and tools to underpin our specialist consultancy services, adding value for our clients worldwide.”

Bruce Tomlinson succeeds John Ormston who retires from HR Wallingford on 15 August 2014.