Year-to-date, the port has handled 1,546,087 TEUs vs. 1,427,008 TEUs handled during the same period last year, an increase of 8.3 percent.

“That’s eight consecutive months of growth for the port. In addition, we have had the best month in our history in four of the last five months,” said Rodney W. Oliver, the Virginia Port Authority’s interim executive director. “The first-in and last-out vessel calls, expanding rail services and our effort to grow market share is really paying dividends.”

Total rail containers handled in September were 33,802, which is a 15.6 percent increase when compared with last September. The year-to-date rail containers total is 281,019 vs. 244,254 for the same period last year; an increase of 15 percent.

The number of containers moved between the Port of Richmond and the Hampton Roads Harbor on the 64 Express barge service in September was 490, which is an increase of 333 percent when compared with last September. The year-to-date total for the barge is up 113 percent: 6,468 containers vs. 3,028 containers handled during the same period in 2011.

SmartLanes is part of the process automation offering of the Cargotec SmartPort concept and is delivered in partnership with APS Technology Group, part of Cargotec SmartPort Alliance.

Wilson Sons is one of the largest operators in port, maritime and logistics services in Brazil. With its activities having started in 1837 in Salvador, the company has established itself as a well-known service provider. At the two terminals the company operates it was decided to introduce gate OCR technology to improve both security and productivity by improving the information quality and reducing human error. IT Systems Manager Fabricio Carvalho Freitas of the Wilson Sons Group: “Tecon Rio Grande and Tecon Salvador are excited to have purchased an OCR solution through Cargotec. We are expecting that it will add value to our operations and also ensure compliance with Brazilian Customs demands”.

Cargotec will provide the SmartLanes solution, consisting of an Automated Gate System (AGS) and Rail OCR system featuring OCR portals, Driver Kiosks and barrier gates to manage a multi staged automated gate. As part of the system the required data will be collected and transmitted to a host/gate system. The AGS automatically captures the container numbers, truck license plates, chassis plates and driver identification of all inbound and outbound transactions.

Cargotec is responsible for both the project delivery and the ongoing maintenance and support.  Wilson Sons has had an excellent working relationship with Navis since 1999, now leading to the order for Cargotec SmartPort. One of the primary reasons to select the SmartPort solution was because of ease of the future integration with Navis’ SN4 TOS.

The SmartLanes solution provided to Wilson Sons is realised through the Cargotec SmartPort Alliance, in close cooperation with partner APS Technology Group. Cargotec SmartPort is a collection of pre-integrated process and equipment automation solutions from Cargotec, Navis and strategic partners, ensuring the best possible fit for any size of terminal.

This is the result of the assessment of the complaints lodged in 2009, concerning possible advantageous provisions included in the concession agreement which were not foreseen in the tender, and tax exemptions and other advantages.

According to the Commission’s assessment, the differences between the concession agreement and the contract notice do not constitute State aid. The fiscal measure related to the exemption from corporate income tax for goods, works and services provided to Piraeus Container Terminal outside Greece does not constitute State aid either.

However, for all the other fiscal advantages, the Commission considers at this stage that they constitute State aid.

The Port of Barcelona has approved a public tender to build and operate the Bocana Nord marina. Situated 100 meters from the Hotel W, Barcelona, the new infrastructure will occupy a surface area of 2.5 hectares, 5 hectares of sheltered waters and will have a fairway of 75 meters.

At an Executive Session of the Barcelona City Council on 9 March 2011, final approval was given to a second modification of the Urban Development Plan for the Nova Bocana of the Port to allow the development of the new marina.

The construction of the new facility will require an initial investment of 30 million Euros. Candidate companies must demonstrate sufficient financial solvency to set up a business entity – for this sole purpose and with share capital of at least 9 million Euros – in order to fulfil the required investment.

The facility will occupy various buildings from which top quality service will be provided, including a head office of 600m2, dry storage for 200 small craft and warehousing of 4,000m2.

More public areas

The infrastructure will include a public area with views over the new marina. The area will have two public walkways – one leading to a vantage point with views over the Bocana Nord – and walkways running parallel to the quays, as well as open pedestrian areas.

The concession will be awarded for a period of 30 years and the deadline for submitting proposals is March 2013.

Barcelona Nautical Cluster

The new marina will occupy a privileged position in the NW Mediterranean rim, where a large number of leisure craft congregate. As well as being located very close to the beach, it is 4km from the city centre and just 400m from Marina Barcelona 92, a leading refit and repair yard for yachts. Other companies specialised in providing added value services to leisure craft are also located in the immediate vicinity meaning the new marina will form part of the Barcelona Nautical Cluster showcased in September.

The Nova Bocana marina will also have excellent transport links via the El Prat airport, the city’s rail network and the maritime services of the port. There are also good public and private transport links to the centre of Barcelona.

IMPORTANT: For more info on this project, please access: http://www.marinabocananord.com/