Mr Sekimizu assumed the position of the 170-member state Organization on January 1, 2012 and this is his first visit to the Caribbean.

The four-day visit, hosted by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), will culminate in a High Level Symposium (HLS) of the Ministers of Transport in the Caribbean, drawing delegates from a variety of the region’s States and overseas territories, as well as Jamaica. The HLS is intended to inform the responsible Ministers in the region on critical developments that will affect their countries’ reputations as responsible maritime states. Mr Sekimizu will address the group on “The Institutionalization of the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS)”.

The VIMSAS scheme was instituted by the IMO to ensure states are giving full and complete effect to the provisions of its major Conventions and will become mandatory in 2015. Jamaica has already been successfully audited under VIMSAS in September 2011 as part of its drive to discharge responsibly its Flag, Port and Coastal State obligations.

Prior to the symposium, the MAJ will host a seminar for Senior Maritime Administrators, as part of the IMO’s Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme (ITCP) in the Caribbean. The Caribbean region, including Jamaica, has benefited greatly from the assistance of the IMO through its ITCP, which provides assistance to countries that may have difficulties giving full and complete effect to the IMO’s instruments and aims to build human, institutional and legal capacities.

Mr Sekimizu is scheduled to call on key Jamaican Ministers of Government and maritime entities, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, the Caribbean Maritime Institute and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard – the agency of Government which conducts maritime search and rescue operations.

This is only the second time in approximately 25 years that a Secretary General of the IMO has visited Jamaica, which is a long-standing member of the IMO since 1976 and a member of the IMO Council, Category C having been elected 2009 and in 2011. The IMO Council is the governing body of the Organization when its Assembly, which meets once every two years, is not in session. 

MAJ Director General, Rear Admiral Peter Brady, said: “We are looking forward to the IMO Secretary General’s visit which will be extremely beneficial to both Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

“Jamaica is very supportive of the work of the IMO. We participate in a number of IMO committees and working groups which make international rules and standards for the safety, security, prevention of pollution by ships, and promulgate the international Conventions and other instruments. Jamaica participates in meetings of the Maritime Safety Committee, Marine Environment Protection Committee, the Legal Committee, Flag State Implementation Sub Committee, the  STW (training and certification of seafarers) Sub Committee, the Council and the IMO Assembly.”

The two groups have also signed a long-term supply agree-ment and will collaborate to further increase the global competitiveness of their respective container handling truck activities. The value of the assets purchased is not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close during the 2nd quarter of 2013.

Both companies will keep reach stackers, empty container handlers and laden container handlers in their offering but after a period of time all manufacturing will take place in Konecranes factories. The assets acquired by Konecranes from Linde Material Handling in-clude the respective product rights. In addition, Konecranes will get access to Linde Material Handling’s distribution network. The collaboration improves economies of scale in R&D and manufacturing while enabling both companies to continue to offer container handling trucks to their distribution channels.

“This agreement will significantly improve our worldwide container handling business and give us great possibilities to grow and support our customers even better. It will further on increase operational performance and utilization in our current facilities. It will also enabling Seite 2

new opportunities in our cooperation with Linde Material Handling”, said Lars Fredin, Vice President and Head of Business Unit Lift Trucks within Konecranes.

“We are happy to work together with Konecranes. This global collaboration with one of the leaders in this segment will significantly improve our container handling offerings to the customers of the Linde brand,” said Brian Butler, Managing Director of Linde Material Han-dling’s Heavy Trucks Division. “We will maintain the highest standards in quality, delivery, performance and value – all standards to which our customers are accustomed.”

Konecranes Lift Trucks

Konecranes Lift Trucks is a part of Konecranes and has a long history of working with leading container ports and terminals that are expert buyers and operators of container lift trucks and reach stackers. Konecranes Lift Trucks has two productions facilities building heavy forklift trucks, Empty and Laden Container Handlers and Reach Stackers; one in Markar-yd/Sweden and one in Shanghai/China.

“One of our strategic cornerstones is growth and we are constantly looking for interesting investment possibilities, especially in the emerging markets. The joined collaboration in the container handling business with Linde Heavy Truck Division gives us a substantial possibil-ity to volume expansion and economies of scale which makes us more than ready to go for the future!”, Lars Fredin concludes.

The Linde and STILL brands serve the premium segment worldwide. Fenwick is the largest supplier of material handling products in France, while OM STILL is a market leader in Italy. The Baoli brand focuses on the economy segment, and Voltas is one of the two market leaders in India. The KION Group employed more than 22,000 people and generated revenue between Euro 4.65 and 4.75 billion in 2012 according to first estimates based on initial management reporting.

Manila North Harbour Port, Inc (MNHPI), the company which has been awarded the contract to manage, operate and develop Manila North Harbor, recently took into operation six new, double-stacking Konecranes SMV 6/7 ECH 100 DS empty container handlers. These lift trucks are their first of their kind in a Philippine port. The Konecranes container lift trucks are part of the equipment MNHPI is installing in stages under its 25-year concession agreement with the Philippine Ports Authority. They can stack up to 8 containers high and lift two empty 20-foot or two empty 40- foot boxes simultaneously. Other features include load-sensing technology which provides maximum fuel efficiency, reduced drivetrain and hydraulic system maintenance, driver and equipment performance reporting capabilities and European emission standards. With MNHPI’s resources and commitment to improve the overall capacities and capabilities of this historic port, the picture of Manila North Harbor that has been imprinted on our minds is fast fading away. It is being replaced with that of a truly progressive port which is constantly evolving. Konecranes is very proud to be a part of the ongoing transformation of Manila North Harbor and is committed to helping MHNPI reach its ultimate modernisation goals.

 “Konecranes has been doing business in the Philippines for more than two decades, supplying industrial and shipyard cranes but this is our first step into the local ports market. The fact that MNPHI has chosen our container lift trucks is encouraging: strategic ports need the right equipment from the best manufacturers”, says Jeffrey Foo, Regional Manager Konecranes (Ports), Thailand.

General cargoes at Port Authority facilities increased 4 percent for 2012.

Year-to-date operating expenses are down by 3 percent. Year-to-date Port Authority revenues of $223 million reflect an increase of 9 percent over 2011, led by container revenues, steel tonnage and dredge disposal fees. Year-to-date net operating income of $22 million is 112 percent above prior year.

Highlighting 2012 records, Executive Director Len Waterworth cited container tonnage of 18.5 million tons; 1.2 million container units; 1.9 million TEUs; 8,395 vessel calls at Port of Houston docks; $223 million in operating revenue; $167 million in container revenues; and cash flow of $90 million, which will be used for the Port Authority’s ongoing capital investment program