December 2012 recorded 25.9Mt of iron ore exports compared to 21.3Mt in December 2011, an increase of 22%. Year-to-date figures (July 2012- December 2012) show total throughput at 135.9Mt compared to 122.5Mt in 2011, an 11% increase. Year-to-date figures (2012) for iron ore exports recorded 131.6Mt, compared to 118.6Mt in 2011, an increase of 11%. Year-to-date figures for imports recorded 1.0Mt in 2012 compared to 0.78Mt the same period in 2011, which is an increase of 30%.

They have been specified for four 3,900 TEU container vessels being constructed for Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL). The order was booked to the fourth quarter 2012 order intake. Delivery of the first ship set is planned for the end of October 2013; the other three are scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2014.

“MacGregor electric cranes are the ideal choice for these new ships,” says Jonas Hägglund, Sales Manager, MacGregor Cranes. “In comparison to hydraulic equivalents, our VFD cranes offer 30-35 per cent less power consumption, which results in lower running costs and lower environmental impact. Furthermore, MacGregor electric cranes offer an excellent positioning performance of containers and cargo which will shorten the loading/unloading time. They also feature low noise levels, making them an excellent choice in environmentally-sensitive areas.

“Each MacGregor crane unit is tested electrically and mechanically before delivery, which simplifies installation for the shipbuilder,” adds Mr Hägglund.

Each four-crane ship set comprises three GLE4827/MLC/2744-2 cranes, each with an SWL of 48 tonnes at 27 meters outreach down to SWL 27 tons at 44 meters outreach following a maximum load curve and one GLE3528.5-2 crane with an SWL of 35 tonnes and an outreach of 28.5m.

The contract has a value of almost DKK 1 billion and is to be carried out during the next four years.

The project is carried out to make land available for urban development in the Swedish capital. The new Värtahamnen harbour is to be established in the existing harbour basin and provide updated facilities for the ferry operations from Stockholm and to the countries around the Baltic Sea. When ferry operations have moved to the five new quay berths, the old harbour area will be developed into a new urban area with office facilities, shops and residential units.

“We are pleased that we will be collaborating with Aarsleff on this important and extensive project to allow a joint expansion of Ports of Stockholm and the city of Stockholm.  Aarsleff is a big international group with renowned competencies in marine construction”, says Per-Ling Vannerus project manager of Ports of Stockholm.

The project primarily comprises construction of a bridge deck on pile foundations, and the plan is to produce the precast concrete units for the bridge deck in Aarsleff’s facilities in Swinoujscie in Poland.

Aarsleff has chosen Cowi to carry out the design work. Moreover, the intention is that Aarsleff will engage in a working relationship with E. Pihl & Søn A.S. concerning the implementation of the project.

The order does not affect Aarsleff’s expectations for the financial year 2012/2013.

This milestone follows YICT’s 2007 performance when it became the world’s first container terminal to reach an annual throughput exceeding 10 million TEU.  In less than two decades, Yantian Port evolved from a small fishing village into one of the world’s busiest container terminals.

A celebration ceremony held today to mark the achievement was attended by approximately 200 guests from various departments of the Shenzhen Municipality; the Yantian District Government; various port authorities; executives from Hutchison Port Holdings, Yantian Port Group, Hutchison Port Holdings Trust and YICT; and shipping lines and cargo owners.

The accomplishment is testament to the terminal’s success due to the proactive measures it has taken to overcome challenges over the years. Since its establishment in 1994, YICT has facilitated the export-led economic growth of South China by providing world-class container terminal services to the container shipping industry and the export/import community. YICT continually pursues innovation in port development, Customs reforms, multimodal transportation, and technological development.

With the geographical advantages of its natural deep-water berths, its state-of-the-art terminal facilities, efficient clearance procedures, and comprehensive transportation network, YICT has become the preferred port of call for mega-vessels. Every mega-vessel currently in operation (each with a carrying capacity in excess of 10,000 TEU), has called at Yantian.

YICT has always taken an environmentally friendly approach to its infrastructure development and day-to-day business operations. It was one of the first Chinese container terminal operators to deploy electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes (eRTGC) and LNG-powered container tractors. At the moment, YICT has 150 eRTGC and 280 LNG tractors.

Over the years, YICT received over 200 distinctions for its impressive performance levels as well as environmental protection, port safety and security, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

With its operational expertise and service excellence, YICT has facilitated the growth of Shenzhen’s economy and helped the city achieve the largest export volume of any city in China for 19 consecutive years. YICT has also contributed to the city’s position as an important gateway to South China and a key logistic hub within the Asia-Pacific region.