The cranes were delivered fully-erect in two batches. The first batch of five cranes has been in successful operation since September of this year. The 16-wheel RTGs are equipped with Konecranes’ Stack Collision Prevention System, Diesel Fuel Saver technology, Auto-steering and Crane Management System, enabling safe and reliable operation. They have a lifting capacity of 41 tons, and can stack 1-over-5 containers high and 7-plus-truck lane wide. The cranes are also equipped with TRUCONNECT®remote monitoring.

DOTC and PPA have tapped global port operator, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), to reinforce and improve port services given the influx of support from countries the world over and the immediate need to transport aid.

Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI head of Asian Region, says:  “Today, we signed a relief support agreement with the agreement with the PPA.  We have been closely working round-the-clock with DOTC and PPA to get this project running at the quickest time possible.  We have dispatched our equipment, which should arrive in Tacloban by Tuesday.  By then, the port will be fully operational.”

ICTSI is deploying various cargo handling equipment valued at over PhP200 million.  This includes a brand new mobile harbor crane (MHC) already being commissioned in Davao for possible deployment to Leyte if required.  Commissioning is being done in Davao due to the lack of water depth at the Tacloban port to support the heavy lift vessel carrying it.

As its donation to the typhoon victims, spreader manufacturer Stinis from Holland added two more back up spreaders to ensure the smooth and continuous operation.

Moreover, a start up team composed of topnotch engineers, operations managers and staff, equipment operators from the Manila International Container Terminal, ICTSI’s flagship, have been dispatched to support port operation.  

Gonzalez added that ICTSI will run the Tacloban port free, and will continue to do so up until the close of the government’s relief operations and normal transportation network has been restored, at which time ICTSI will take back all the equipment and pull out its personnel. 

Meanwhile, at the MICT, ICTSI has opened its container freight station (CFS) facilities to the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD).  The terminal’s CFS 2 in particular was designated as DSWD’s relief operations center (ROC), where international relief donations entering the Port of Manila are processed.  The ROC is manned 24/7 by ICTSI volunteer employees along with DSWD volunteers working 24/7 as foreign aid continue to pour for the typhoon victims.

ICTSI and the ICTSI Foundation, Inc. are closely coordinating with and supporting the initiatives of DSWD, partner foundations and non-government organizations such as the Philippine Business for Social Progress and Philippine National Red Cross, and the local Roman Catholic Church for relief efforts.

The ICTSI Foundation also spearheaded a fund raising and aid collection campaign within the ICTSI Group.  ICTSI subsidiaries in 19 countries along with their business partners, client shipping lines, and suppliers have overwhelmingly responded, and donations are pouring in.  Donations will be used to augment relief efforts as well as a rehabilitation program. 

ICTSI is also extending aid to employees who have relatives affected by typhoon.

In October, the port handled 206,597 TEUs, a jump of 17.8 percent when compared with the same month last year. Moreover, that total surpasses the mark of 205,137 TEUs that was just set in July.

“We knew we’d had a busy October, but to surpass that mark set in July is impressive,” said Rodney W. Oliver, interim executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The driver behind those numbers is a lot of discretionary, peak-season cargo coming in and being positioned for the coming retail season. We’re grateful for the confidence that our customers and rail partners have in our ability to handle the growing volumes.”

As of October, on a calendar-year basis, the port’s rail volume is 14.7 percent ahead of the same period in 2012. The port has experienced double-digit rail growth, year-over-year, in 11 of the last 12 months.

The percentage of cargo moved by rail reached an all-time high of 35.8 percent in September, Oliver said. This marks the fifth month in 2013 in which rail cargo, as percent of total cargo, has exceeded 35 percent.

Import TEUs tallied 98,968 and exports were 107,630 in October, increases of 24.9 percent 12 percent, respectively. For the calendar year, imports are up 9.2 percent and exports are 5.9 percent.

Also in October the Virginia Inland Port (VIP) posted its best month in more than six years. Container volume for VIP was at 3,661 containers; volume is up 9.2 percent compared with the same month last year.

“The company, which has been appointed the principal dealer for Capacity terminal tractors in Australia, enhances the sale of new and reconditioned terminal tractors, with a rental option,” says Gerry van Elden, sales and marketing manager, Big Lift Trucks Australia. “Due to the global economic strain, the rental of a machine or fleet of equipment, is often a more affordable alternative to purchasing new or reconditioned equipment.”

An important feature of Capacity terminal tractors is every truck can be customised for the specific handling task it needs to perform. Other advantages of these machines include reduced emissions for enhanced environmental protection and the latest technology in fuel savings, which significantly lowers operational and maintenance costs. Improved driver ergonomics ensures comfortable operation in all environments, which contributes to reduced fatigue and improved productivity.

Big Lift Trucks also offers a maintenance programme to ensure enhanced performance and extended service life of equipment.

Big Lift Trucks, with operations throughout the African continent, in Australia and the USA, has established a sound reputation for providing robust, quality machines that guarantees efficient and safe operation. Included in the range are industrial forklifts and container handling equipment from Taylor Machine Works and terminal tractors from Capacity of Texas.