The RORO conference takes place in the exhibition hall and will feature high level and topical content regarding the movement of cargo using roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping. The event will takes place at ExCel in London, from 24-26 June and is the only exhibition dedicated to the roll-on/roll-off industry.

“The themes, topics and discussions covered during the conference sessions will attract key senior level professionals from the market who are looking to learn and make decisions” says Sophie Ahmed, Event Director.  “All the sessions will provide a comprehensive understanding of the RoRo transport issues that are being faced today.”

Day one of the RORO Conference will focus on ‘Markets under Pressure’ and will commence with Mike Garratt, Managing Director of MDS Transmodal, looking at the global outlook for the RORO Market. A paper tiled ‘Alternative fuels including LNG vs. Scrubber Technology’ will be presented by Martin Crawford-Brunt, Manager, UK & Ireland, Maritime, Region – West Europe and Africa of DNV GL. The conference session will look at alternatives to HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil) and MGO (Marine Gas Oil), including batteries, methanol, bio-fuels and LNG in RoRo trades as well as recent trends and examples of vessels ordered with these technologies, including NORLED, the 100% battery powered ferry.

The current outlook for the North Sea and Baltic region will be the topic of a conference session presented by Piotr Trusiewicz, Publishing Director, Baltic Transport Journal.  Focuses will include a comparison of RoRo and ferry links and freight traffic in the region; opportunities for investments and network development; and the future of rail ferries, roll-trailers, kombi trains and port-port rail connections.

“RORO 2014 is a free-to-attend three day exhibition and conference that provides logistics professionals involved in roll-on/roll-off shipping with the opportunity to meet, network and buy” adds Sophie Ahmed. “Visitors will include high level decision makers from various sectors such as car and vehicle manufacturers / OEMs, Cargo logistics companies, freight forwarders, ship builders and port and terminal operators, with buying power.”

In the reporting period handling of exports at CTSP rose 11% to 46,600 TEUs. Loaded containers accounted for 31% in three-month exports volume, which is 1.5 times more than in the same period of 2013. In January-March the terminal saw a 2% gain in containerised imports, to 49,200 TEU. In the first-quarter cargo volumes of CTSP containerised exports account for 49% and imports – 51%. UCL Port’s Container Terminal Saint Petersburg is a JV of UCL Holding B.V. and TIL S.A. The facility based on the Fourth Cargo Area of Big Port St. Petersburg, specializes in handling containers and new imported vehicles. In 2013, box throughput totalled 396,400 TEU.

The incident, which involved a cargo ship and a container vessel, happened in the early hours of 5 May near Po Toi Island, reports said. The cargo ship is believed to have sunk with its 12-member crew on board. One man was rescued by a fishing boat. Chinese officials are now conducting a search and rescue mission.

TPK Logistica is owned by a group of Brazilian companies with a great deal of experience in the mining, construction and offshore sectors.

The ‘greenfield’ port will be built in the southernmost part of the state of Espirito Santo in the industrial heart of Brazil. It will be an industrial deep sea port for the handling of oil, gas, dry bulk, containers and general cargo. The port will also serve as a support centre for the strongly growing offshore sector. In the coming time, the already existing market interest will be specified and the required permits will be obtained. The Port Authority’s main role will be providing its extensive expertise and knowledge in the field of port development. An investment decision will not be made until a later stage. 

Brazil

Approximately 30 million tonnes of cargo is transported yearly between Brazil and the port of Rotterdam, with iron ore traditionally far and away the major cargo type. This makes the port of Rotterdam the most important European port for Brazil. Other Brazilian cargo which comes to the Netherlands includes oil products, basic chemical products and fruit juices. Meat, fruit and car parts are good for containerised cargo. Brazil is one of the BRIC countries. With its natural riches and aged port infrastructure, the country offers great potential for port development. The Port Authority has been operating in Brazil since 2010, when it was asked by the Brazilian government to advise on a strategic study into remodelling the Brazilian port sector, which consists of 34 public ports along the 8,000-kilometre coastline. The Port Authority has had its own office in São Paulo since 2012, but will continue to provide intensive support for the joint venture in Vitória from Rotterdam as well. Four Port Authority employees currently work in Brazil.