This adds one further major milestone that has been achieved since the signing of the sub- concession for the terminal in 2012.

LICTSLE will be providing a solution to the current congestion in  the local market in Nigeria, and overall serve as regional transshipment hub in West Africa, allowing the countries connected with the hub to grow sustainably.  

With a straight-line quay of 1200m and a yard area of 66 hectares, this modern facility, which is expected to be fully operational in 2017, provides the market with an annual capacity of 2.5 million TEUs. This capacity will serve the Nigerian market in the long run, and will ease capacity pressure. The terminal is designed to allow for further capacity growth exceeding the initial 2.5 million TEU.

The advantageous location, 60 km east of metropolitan Lagos, will be combined with state-of-the-art facilities including 14 post – Panamax quay cranes. 

Farid Salem, CMA CGM Group executive Officer declares: “We are very pleased with this cooperation with ICTSI. This major future investment is undoubtedly a great opportunity for the CMA CGM Group through its dedicated subsidiary CMA Terminals, to further increase its presence in Nigeria, a country in continuous development.”

Jens O. Floe, ICTSI Senior Vice President responsible for the Africa Region says, “The involvement of the CMA CGM Group shows the interest in West Africa and the confidence there is in the Nigerian market with the product we provide as we will strive to become the supplier of choice in West Africa as the principal transshipment hub, giving our customers a sustainable competitive advantage in the market range.”

From July through December 2013, the GPA moved 14.36 million tons of cargo, up from 13.3 million tons over the same period in the previous fiscal year, GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported to the authority board Monday.

“Strong volumes in container traffic, bulk cargo and auto and machinery units for the month of December contributed to this successful mid-year report,” said Foltz.

In twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), the GPA achieved a 7.4 percent increase to reach 235,311 TEUs in December, or 16,183 more than the same month a year ago.

Bulk cargo trade was up by 10 percent or 29,814 tons at GPA terminals for the month of December, to reach 325,020 tons. For FY2014 to date, the GPA has moved 1.35 million tons of bulk cargo, an increase of 11.7 percent (141,806 tons).

Auto and machinery traffic increased by 4.3 percent in December over year-ago figures to reach 57,171 units moved, an improvement of 2,343. For FY2014 to date, Colonel’s Island terminal in Brunswick and Ocean Terminal in Savannah have moved 343,065 units, up 6.8 percent or 21,922 cars and tractors.

“Our tremendous growth highlights the increasing importance of the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick to the nation’s international commerce,” said GPA Board Chairman Robert Jepson. “We are well prepared to take on even greater responsibility: We are handling 3 million TEUs a year in Savannah, but we can move up to 6.5 million TEUs without increasing our physical footprint.”

Foltz noted that an omnibus spending bill recently signed into law authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with contracts on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. This means dredging to deepen the river channel from 42 to 47 feet will begin this year. The deepened channel will allow the Port of Savannah to better accommodate the larger vessels that are expected to call more frequently with the 2015 expansion of the Panama Canal.

In other news:
·        The GPA will contribute $3 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for harbor maintenance dredging at the Port of Brunswick. The additional funds will help the Corps deepen the entrance channel to the second busiest automobile import/export terminal in the nation.

The current monsoon low lies over the north of the Coral Sea, but is expected to strengthen as it moves towards the coast.  Forecasts predict there is a high probability it will develop into a cyclone on Wednesday or Thursday.

The ports of Townsville and Mackay are already closed, with berthing likely to be restricted or denied in Abbott Point and Rockhampton.  Many ships are waiting at anchor, including 26 vessels outside of Mackay. The ports of Brisbane and Gladstone are currently open, but all vessel movements are being assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Ports along the North Queensland coast are key to the export of multi-cargoes, especially the export of bulk coal and commodities such as sugar and grain.  Brisbane is the largest of Queenland’s cargo ports, and specialises in containers.

Please check the ISS website Inchcape Shipping Services – News for more detailed information and updates.

The new container terminal on reclaimed land on Fisherman’s Island in the Port of Brisbane is part of the

Hutchison Port Holdings group, one of the largest port developers and operators in the world.

HPH Deputy Chairman, Dr John Meredith, said he saw BCT as a significant player in Australia’s developing trade and the HPH network that spans 52 countries.

“We intend to be here for the long haul and we intend to make a difference,” he said.

BCT Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Gumley, said that the new terminal’s strategic significance couldn’t be underestimated.

“Brisbane Container Terminals is the first terminal operated by a third stevedore to servicing Australia’s important east coast container trade,” he said. “This is a dramatic and positive change on the waterfront.

“Until now this market was the sole province of two companies. Now it is one in which three companies vie for shipping line business. This has to be good for shipping lines and their customers with greater value and better service.”

Dr Gumley said that Brisbane Container Terminals would play an important role in maximising the success of third stevedore operators in Sydney and Melbourne.

“Stand-alone operators will face considerable challenges in this market because typically the incumbent stevedores have tended to package ports in their offer to shipping lines or offer discounts based on national volumes.

“HPH with its investments in Brisbane and Sydney’s Port Botany is already providing a two-port alternative and we are seeking to extend that to three east coast ports.”

In thanking Mr Truss for officially opening BCT, Dr Gumley said that it was significant and encouraging, that his responsibilities also included the portfolio of Infrastructure and Regional a Development given the importance of new infrastructure to Australia’s growth and the challenges faced in its provision.

“Our growth has been deliberate, steady and considered, as we resolve the inevitable issues encountered developing any new operation from the ground up” Dr Gumley said. “Brisbane Container Terminals is part of the HPH group and we are extremely happy with the development.

“We are committed to bringing the latest in stevedoring operations to Australia. BCT is the first terminal in Australia to introduce the Automated Stacking Crane technology.”