Jens will be working with colleagues on ABP’s Board to help drive further growth of the business by continuing to deliver the highest standards of customer service and building on ABP’s unique network of 21 ports around Britain.

Prior to joining ABP, Jens worked for Blue Water Shipping for 12 years before joining DFDS where he was variously UK & Ireland Managing Director of DFDS Transport; Managing Director of DFDS Seaways; and, latterly, Vice President of Freight Sales Solutions.

Jens said: “I am proud to join ABP, which has such a strong reputation in the industry and a fantastic operational track record.

“I’m really looking forward to working with our customers to ensure we support and contribute to delivering their business objectives while meeting our own demanding aspirations. It’s an exciting time in a fast developing sector ripe with opportunity.  My aim will be to make sure we seize those opportunities. We have a great team and a portfolio of 21 ports, which together boast 87km of quay, 1,000 hectares of open storage and 1.4 million square metres of covered storage as well as 900 hectares of strategic development land.”

ABP contributes £5.6 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 84,000 jobs. In the coming years ABP plans to invest £1.75 billion in developing its business.

ABP Chief Executive James Cooper said: “We are delighted to welcome Jens onboard.  With plans to invest over £800 million in the years ahead, ABP is already delivering significant growth in the business. Jens’ appointment reflects our determination to deliver even more by continuing to make sure we provide the highest possible standards of service for our customers.”

John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said he is encouraged by the May results and by the continued progress on initiatives aimed at improving cargo velocity and creating efficiency. Collectively, this effort has led the port to its third consecutive month of posting an operating profit.

“We were profitable in May, but we are still in the early stages of recovery and stabilizing this port,” Reinhart said. “I am confident in saying that we are working as a team, changing our behaviors and we are seeing some encouraging results. This is a long-term commitment to improve our delivery of service and profitability. This trend must continue: moving forward, improving service, controlling costs and increasing velocity are our priorities and mandates.”

May was the third best month in the Port’s history for TEU and container volumes and the best month on record for rail volume. The operating profit was $360,000.

In May, the delivery of 32 new yard hustlers to Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) was completed; these pieces of equipment are supporting the rail operation at that terminal. Additionally, the Motor Carrier Task

Force completed its report and continues to implement changes at NIT focused on improving turn-times for motor carriers.

In May, cargo volume at the port grew 6.7 percent, an increase of 12,865 TEUs when compared with the same month last year. The month’s growth was led by exports, which increased by 8.7 percent (8,964 TEUs) when compared with last May. There was also growth in breakbulk tonnage, 25.6 percent; rail containers, 4.8 percent; barge containers, 13.2 percent; Virginia Inland Port containers, 22.8 percent; and vehicle units, 20.1 percent.

The port’s calendar year-to-date TEU volumes remain the highest in its history, with 950,251 TEUs having been moved, which equates to 8.2 percent growth when compared with the same period in 2013. Fiscal year-to-date TEU volumes through May are also at record levels with 2,119,508 TEUs having been handled thus far in the fiscal year.

“Our effort is to develop and deliver consistency to our stakeholders and we are moving in that direction,” Reinhart said.

By electrifying the container stacking cranes known as “Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes” (RTGs), the choice in using VAHLE eRTG systems ensures that the rapid handling of containers are conducted in a cost efficient, reliable and safe manner. The port of Felixstowe is the UK’s largest container handling port and one of the largest in Europe, with more than 3.4 million TEUs handled in 2013. VAHLE has converted two (out of four) RTGs with automated telescopic arms, which are operating in the container yard.  VAHLE has installed two x 220 meter-long lanes with VAHLE conductor rails with an additional two more cranes due to be converted soon. As the preferred system supplier, VAHLE has also successfully carried out the commissioning at the beginning of May.

Based upon over 1000 eRTGs installed, experiences from the container terminal industry indicate that converting eRTGs to operate on conductor rails significantly reduces diesel consumption, lowers emission levels and less maintenance costs are incurred. Instead of using the traditional method of having a diesel generator to constantly produce the power required to operate the cranes at a high cost, eRTGs are supplied with power from the grid via the VAHLE system in the container yard stacks. The eRTGs are able to automatically enter and leave the conductor system by using a telescopic arm that is automated. This requires no manual intervention (a cost savings): the control software developed by VAHLE enables the cranes to automatically engage and disengage in a very short space of time. In addition, the auto steering (off-track-protection) system also developed by VAHLE ensures fully-automated steering of the RTGs.

“What’s special about the VAHLE system is the synchronisation of the power supply, which enables uninterrupted switching from diesel-generated power to power from the grid,” explains Jürgen Henkel, Port Technology Key Account Manager at VAHLE. The port of Felixstowe is converting to eRTGs primarily to save on the high costs of diesel, as well as reduce maintenance costs. The reduction of emissions by using eRTG enables operators to not only protect the environment but to operate their container terminals in a more reliable and sustainable manner. The VAHLE eRTG system is under going evaluation in the port of Felixstowe for consideration to install further eRTG lanes. The complete electrification of the port is also conceivable.

The VAHLE Group specialises in mobile power and data transmission and is headquartered in Kamen, Germany. VAHLE operates in 52 countries, with 13 VAHLE subsidiaries worldwide, together with agencies. The VAHLE Group generates global turnover of over EUR 100 million. It employs over 600 people, including around 520 in Germany at its sites in Kamen and Dortmund, as well as its 12 German sales offices.

VAHLE supplies customised power and data transmission systems for various materials handling, engineering and e-mobility applications. The main applications are crane technology, storage and sorting technology, manufacturing automation and port technology. The array of products ranges from power rails and conductor systems, cable festoon systems and spring-operated and motorised cable reels, to data transmission and the pioneering contactless power transmission system (CPS®).

With its qualified staff and 100 years of project experience, VAHLE provides solutions that are both customised and economical, as well as an extensive catalogue range.

Speter, the main multipurpose terminal operating in La Spezia on Garibaldi pier, Calata Paita, Malaspina and Artom pier, has since 1968  been a break bulk terminal mainly loading and unloading forest and mineral products, zirconium, silicon iron, clay, cement, steel and iron products, coils, lead, copper, sheets of zinc. The company has achieved positive results which foster growing expectations in the general cargo and break bulk handling business. Also for the container business, the general trend shows a growing share of containerized cargo. Speter holds a concession of about 1.4 km quays and 120,000 sqm  of yards  in the Port of La Spezia including covered warehouses in excess of 15,000 sqm.

Recent positive results are a consequence of the ongoing programme of investments in organization, IT and handling equipment (including two recently purchased 100 tons mobile cranes). Contship Group, via LSCT, acquired, 45% of the Speter company shares in 2010 and thus has contributed to Speter’s functional and commercial reorganization with its know-how. Speter handled in 2013 in excess of 630,000 tons and 127,000 TEUs.

“There are important synergies to be achieved and to strengthen the competitiveness of La Spezia port – commented Cecilia Eckelmann Battistello, President of the Contship Italia Group – in a period which reflects strong concentration on the handling demand side. The offer of handling and stevedoring services  has to provide tailored solutions to compete on the global arena and guarantee the expected return of investment. We want to thank Speter’ customers for their long term commitment and trust. They now can rely also on Contship know-how and financial solidity”.

Speter SpA turnover in 2013 was 19,6 million Euros with 150 employees, while La Spezia container Terminal SpA turnover has been in excess of 106 million Euros with 475 employees.