Agricultural commodities (grain and fertilizer) have grown steadily since 2009; and 2013 continued that trend, with port terminals posting a 13% increase in grain tonnage in 2013 (compared to 2012) and a 2% increase in fertilizer tonnage over 2012. Grain handled at Hamilton’s port terminals includes more than 1.3 million MT of soybeans, canola, wheat and corn, most of it grown by southern Ontario farmers for export to global markets. “We have seen the Port of Hamilton emerge as a critical link in Ontario’s agricultural economy, and our growing tonnages reflect the value we provide to the hardworking agricultural producers throughout the region,” said Bruce Wood, President & CEO of the Hamilton Port Authority (HPA).

 In addition to agricultural goods, tonnage increases were seen in other commodities, such as iron ore, salt and gasoline, offsetting decreases in coal, coke and finished steel.  “We’ve been seeing changes in the steel sector starting to show through in our cargo makeup,” said Bruce Wood. “It’s not a surprise — we have spent the last five years proactively diversifying our cargo, so we have been able to balance these challenges with areas of strong growth.”

Modal choice attracting more customers and cargo

HPA is also seeing a greater volume of cargo transit the port by rail, with 540 more rail cars visiting the port in 2013, bringing the year’s total to just over 3,800 cars.  

“We are working closely with our tenants to understand their need for increased rail capacity and storage,” said Bruce Wood.  In its drive to offer full service transportation and modal choice to its users, HPA is putting infrastructure in place to allow cargo to move seamlessly between marine, rail and truck, depending on what is most efficient for the customer on a given shipment. “We’re making sure our customers have access to the right mode, at the right time,” said Wood.

Outlook for 2014

Port officials are optimistic for 2014, based on a positive outlook for the regional and national economy. For example, the Port of Hamilton is a key competitive asset for southern Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector.  As that sector picks up steam, the port is able to help local companies compete, by providing efficient and direct access to global markets. The port currently handles a wide variety of made-in-Ontario manufactured goods, such as power plant components, windmill components, and construction equipment.

The spreader is capable of handling four twenty foot containers or two forty foot containers at a time, this doubles the quay crane’s capacity for moving containers, which will increase efficiency and productivity for UK shippers. 

Andrew Bowen, Engineering Director said: “This is an excellent example of DP World innovation at London Gateway.  We’ve engineered a system that allows us to double the number of containers we move safely and quickly.”

“By introducing the tandem lift for two forty foot containers to our operations, we will be able to improve productivity that will allow vessels to be turned around faster and cargo to move on to its final destination more efficiently.  The culture at DP World London Gateway encourages us to innovate and improve supply chains and we look forward to continuous improvements in the future.” 

“We have already enhanced the size of the cranes to be some of the largest in the world, capable of handling the largest vessels in the world. They also come with cutting edge automation technology,” said Bowen.

London Gateway opened on 7th November with the MOL Caledon calling as part of the SAECS service.

During the bad weather experience over the Christmas period, London Gateway’s land side operations remained open while other ports were closed. Four additional calls to London Gateway were made after poor weather caused ships to divert from their planned port of call.  One of the ships, the Maersk Gudrun at 367 metres long, was the longest container ship to ever travel up the Thames, according to the Port of London Authority.

“We have been following the positive economic developments in DRC closely and are proud that we can take part in building the needed infrastructure for the future growth and prosperity of the country,” comments Enrique K. Razon Jr, ICTSI chairman and president.

ICTSI Congo DR will be located on the riverbank of the Congo River in Matadi, which is already today the main entry point for containers into DRC serving the greater region and the Kinshasa market.

The facility will, in Phase 1, be able to handle 120,000 TEU and 350,000 mts.  The capacity and berth length can, subject to demand, be doubled in Phase 2.

Phase 1 will consist of two berths with a total length of 350 meters, which will be servicing shipping lines, importers and exporters with its modern infrastructure, state of the art equipment and highly skilled staff, matching international standards.

It is estimated that the total capital expenditure of the project for Phase 1 will be approximately US$100 million.

ICTSI Congo DR is a joint venture owned by ICTSI Group 60 percent and Simobile S.P.R.L. 40 percent.

“We are looking forward to bringing  new and improved service to this fast growing economy.  We believe we can make a positive impact and decrease total transportation time and cost through this modern and efficient facility,” states Jens O. Floe, ICTSI Senior Vice President responsible for the Africa Region.

The facility is expected to commence operation in 2015.

In calendar year-end results presented at the authority’s regular Board meeting, container volumes measured in 20-foot equivalent units were up 5.7 percent from 2012 to 2013, with over 1.6 million TEUs handled during the year. Breakbulk cargo also grew during the period, increasing 3.3 percent over 2012 volumes.  

Midway through the SCPA’s fiscal year that began July 1, the port has seen a 5.4 percent increase in TEUs over the same period last year, and container volume remains slightly over plan. SC Ports handled 124,103 TEUs in December.   

Cargo at Georgetown is up 20 percent fiscal year to date, with 302,242 total pier tons moved so far. Business at the Port of Georgetown is currently up 8.7 percent over plan for the fiscal year.

“We typically see a modest first quarter of the calendar year followed by a stronger second quarter, and we expect 2014 to follow a similar trend,” said Jim Newsome, SC Ports president and CEO. “Much of our growth from April to June will be impacted by developments in export business and the implementation of the mega-alliance deployments by ocean carriers, if and when approved.”

In addition to cargo volume growth in 2013, containerized rail shipments at SC Ports grew 18 percent last year, a 50 percent increase since 2011. Those shipments now represent about 16 percent of overall port volume, driven largely by a successful implementation the port’s RapidRail drayage program that includes participation by all major carriers.