Currently, these procedures are duplicative and time consuming, resulting in costs and delays, thus making maritime transport less attractive compared to other modes. The COM (2014) 320/25.6.2014 report urges Member States to increase efforts for this major simplification and harmonisation of the current reporting procedures.

All Member States have done a considerable work to transfer the 2010/65 Directive. Initiatives for the National Single Window implementation have been taken, mostly building on existing platforms, technical solutions and standards. The eMAR Project is an excellent example of those efforts that combines technological solutions with research.

After the European Commission’s decision, Dr. Takis Katsoulakos, Technical Director of the eMAR Project and Director of Inlecom Systems Ltd, mentions that:

The FP7 projects eMAR and eCompliance are fully committed to support the Commission efforts for harmonised reporting procedures for vessels by

1.      Providing the CRS data model harmonising various developments, particularly the AnNA and  ISO models, and integrating them in the  e-Maritime Strategic Framework (EMSF)

2.      Offering technical demonstrations to shipping companies linking their existing systems with available MSW prototypes without any further commitment for the companies themselves,

3.  Developing intelligent compliance support systems for regulators, enforcement authorities, shipping companies and ports

The European Commission recommends that EU guidelines and technical specifications for the implementation of the National Single Windows are agreed upon and are considered as an urgent matter by the European Coordination Group. In the absence of harmonised implementation with non-interoperable standards, the National Single Windows might differ from Member State to Member State, compelling industry players to develop interfaces to communicate with these systems, leading to increasing implementation costs.

The choice for a bigger pump was made in order to reach the same amount of production at a lower pump rpm. It reduces wear and at the same time it increases production with less energy consumption.

Development of the new Cemex dredger was a joint collaboration. Joachim Wunder, Regional Manager Aggregates Hamburg, visited Rohr-Idreco’s new office and workshop in Doetinchem, the Netherlands and various other operating Rohr-Idreco dredgers in the area. Together with CEO Wim Snippe and sales manager Joachim Seiter from Rohr-Idreco, they discussed new ideas and improvements for the dredger and the overall dredging process.

The years of experience at Cemex and the technical knowledge at Rohr-Idreco have resulted in improvements in the plant software leading to a better control of the energy costs. Together with the flexibility of the pipeline, and the mounted DGPS control system, Cemex can now dredge more tonnes against a lower price.

The port recorded strong results in June, having handled 186,403 TEUs, which is a 6 percent improvement when compared with the same month last year. The month held growth for rail containers, 12.1 percent; Virginia Inland Port (containers handled), 102.8 percent; total barge containers 19.8 percent; total truck containers, 1.6 percent; ship calls, 1.3 percent; and vehicle units, 122.9 percent.

“We had a record-setting fiscal year, with our TEU volume growth up 6.5 percent when compared with fiscal 2013, and we’re also tracking for a record calendar year,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA). “There are multiple factors that have led us to this point: one is the people of this port and another is our ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency.”

The previous fiscal- and calendar-year records for performance were set in 2013.

Improving cargo conveyance systems, a restructuring of the relationship between VPA and its private terminal operating subsidiary, Virginia International Terminals LLC, creation of a task force to address the concerns of motor carriers serving the port and implementation of state-of-the-art technology at Norfolk International Terminals were among the port’s accomplishments in fiscal 2014.

The celebration was attended by the straddle carrier’s new owner as well as the Terex team members who built the machine. The landmark machine is going to long-time customer North Sea Terminal Bremerhaven GmbH & Co (NTB) as part of an order comprising a total of more than 30 Terex® N SC 644 E straddle carriers. The machines feature a lifting capacity of up to 60 t
under spreader and can stack 9’6″ high-cube containers 1-over-3. They will be used in the NTB terminal located directly on the North Sea, where they will strengthen an existing large fleet of more than 75 Terex straddle carriers.

Efficient machines create lasting competitive advantages

Since 1999, NTB has used Terex straddle carriers in its terminal, which handled approximately 3.3 million TEU in 2013. The positive operating experiences during this time contributed to NTB’s continued use of Terex straddle carriers, according to Jan Gelderland, Managing Director of NTB, who said on delivery: “These highly efficient straddle carriers have supported us in the terminal, founded in 1998, almost from the start. And thanks to their ease of operation, good performance and reliability, they provide lasting competitive advantages. We are therefore delighted to welcome a genuine landmark machine from Würzburg to our fleet.” The fact that TPS further developed the machines to meet specific application requirements together with NTB has also been a crucial factor in the many years of working together, according to Gelderland.

Technology from TPS Würzburg with a first-class global reputation

Straddle carriers have been manufactured in Würzburg since 1968, as Lutz Waechter, General Manager of the TPS location, explained during the handover: “The first units, at the time still operated with diesel-mechanical drives, came onto the market under the brand name Peiner. The machines were later sold globally under the Noell brand and now Terex.” Over the years, the straddle carriers have gained a first-class reputation around the globe with approximately 2,600 straddle carriers and sprinter carriers, the latter used solely for transporting containers to the stackyard, having left the Franconian plant. This plant has also developed into a center of excellence for both straddle carriers and sprinter carriers: “Products from our location have an outstanding reputation. They also stand for the TPS strategy of developing innovative technologies for comprehensive system solutions in the port business, building on the rich legacy of its historic brands including Noell,” says Waechter.

The plant in Würzburg became part of Terex in 2009 and later joined Terex Port Solutions when it was formed in 2012 following the acquisition of Gottwald Port Technology. According to Waechter, this started an important chapter in the now 190-year history of success: “In 1824, Johann Matthias Noell opened his forge in Würzburg. We are now a global player with our machines supplied to customers all over the world.” The company still sees itself as having its roots in the Lower Franconia region, where TPS with its approximately 400 team members is one of the major employers. Most of the team members at TPS in Würzburg enjoyed taking a close look today at “their” landmark machine which, according to Waechter, is exemplary for TPS: “Our straddle carriers epitomize our aspiration to develop alongside our customers so that we can shape the market together.”