The guests included people influential in society, industry and science, as well as partners and employees of Cargotec.In his inaugural address, Cargotec’s Chairman of the Board, Ilkka Herlin, emphasised the increasing role of automation in the functioning of ports, “In Tampere, the focus is on the advancement of automation. Automated solutions can enhance port and terminal functions and promote their sustainable development. We see great potential in automation for our customers around the world.”

In the years 2011-2013, Cargotec has invested approximately EUR 35 million in the construction of the Technology and Competence Centre in Tampere. In the Centre, Cargotec’s Kalmar business area focuses on the development of energy-efficient, safe and intelligent machinery and automation solutions. “The functioning of ports is simulated in the laboratory and testing range, based on real data provided by our customers. In this respect, the Centre is unique in the world,” stated Mika Vehviläinen, President and CEO of Cargotec.

Previously, Cargotec operated in the Härmälä district of Tampere. The guests of the inaugural ceremony were presented with the recently completed history of Cargotec’s time in Härmälä. The book sheds light on the 75-year history of the area. “The State aircraft factory was moved from Suomenlinna to Härmälä in 1936. In addition to Cargotec, many other major Finnish companies have significant business operations today that originate from the aircraft factory. You might say that one of the first Finnish business incubators operated in Härmälä,” said Chief Technology Officer Matti Sommarberg.

The Technology and Competence Centre is one of the most energy-efficient office buildings in Finland. In March, the Centre was awarded the international BREEAM environmental certificate.

This figure was boosted by a strong performance in containers, bulk and Roll-on/Roll-off cargo.

“Our total tonnage makes April the highest volume month on record,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “And with companies like Haier appliances, Kent bicycles and Pep Boys recently choosing the Port of Savannah, our drawing power for cargo is only getting stronger.”

The GPA also achieved a 4 percent increase in container traffic for April, moving 258,951 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), or 10,040 TEU more than April 2012. Foltz said April container volume was 11.3 percent higher than March. Exports remain dominant, representing 54 percent of loaded volume.

The GPA moved 57,709 auto and machinery units in April, its third highest month for roll-on, roll-off cargo. Since July 1, Brunswick and Savannah have moved 526,348 units – a 14.1 percent increase over the previous fiscal year to date.

“We are seeing strong performance because cargo owners know they can get their goods to market faster when they come through Georgia,” said GPA Board Chairman Robert Jepson. “Our streamlined service on-port, combined with better connections to the hinterlands by road and rail, make our deepwater ports the obvious choice for global trade.”

In other news:

·        Foltz reported that four new ship-to-shore cranes are slated to arrive at Garden City Terminal the second week of June. The new cranes will bring the total number of electric-powered ship-to-shore cranes to 25. Of those, nine are post-Panamax, and 16 are super-post-Panamax.

·        Bulk cargo led tonnage growth, more than doubling last April’s performance to reach 253,908 tons, an increase of 133,693 tons or 111.2 percent.

·        Liquid bulk was up 38.4 percent with significant increases in chemicals and vegetable oils.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the project proceed,” said Russell Tippets , Coast Guard spokesman Chief Warrant Officer. The new roadway will be 215 feet above the high-tide mark, 64 feet higher than the old one. The bridge will have two wider lanes in each direction, plus shoulders and a median. It is scheduled to be finished in 2017.

The BPA delegation headed by Port President Lim invited 30 officials from 8 ports in developing African nations and held a “Busan-African Ports Friendship Dinner Reception” during the 28th International Association of Ports & Harbour (IAPH) event in Los Angeles, USA earlier this month.

Trade volume between Africa and China has substantially increased due to China’s strong resource diplomacy toward Africa. Strengthening co-operation between Busan and African Ports will be significant because there is a great possibility that import-export cargo between China and Africa may go through Busan Port.

“Busan Port will transfer its know-how on port development, management and operation to African Ports by holding the ‘Friendship Dinner Reception’ and will contribute to raising Korea’s national brand as well as building friendly relations to become a trans-shipment port for China-Africa cargo in the future,” said Lim.