The ceremonial lifting of the first paving slab signals the beginning of the reconstruction of berths 201/202 at the container terminal in a milestone project that will combine the two berths into a new fourth berth for the next generation of ultra-large container carriers (ULCCs).

Reconstruction will bring berth 201/202 full circle, 40 years on at the deep sea container terminal.  The facility was originally commissioned in 1972, when the very first container vessel, Kamakura Maru, arrived in January 1972 at berth 202.

The new berth is required so the container terminal can continue to service four of the largest container ships simultaneously.  The works are due for completion by December 2013 with the berth being operational in January 2014.

Capable of handling the next generation of 16,000 TEU+ vessels, which are 400m long, the quay will be 500m in length with five cranes and 16m depth alongside.

Ultra large container carriers, utilised for economies of scale, are predicted to account for more than half of the capacity of the world’s total container fleet by 2015; in the past five years alone, vessels in Southampton have doubled in their average throughput per call. 

These larger vessels need the high productivity and short turnaround times which Southampton already offers.

Reconstruction works are part of a port plan to offer the capability to handle the largest container vessels on order and provide the terminal with the capacity to grow its throughput in line with customer demand.

Peter Jones, Chief Executive of Associated British Ports, the UK’s leading ports operator, said: “This is a significant investment for ABP and a major step forward in our plans to further develop the Port of Southampton, with its international reputation for competitiveness and ability to respond to customer needs.

“The £150m investment in the new berth and supporting infrastructure represents a huge vote of confidence in Southampton’s ability to meet the exacting demands of our customers in a new era where ULCCs are set to become quayside regulars.

“It will also play a key role in maintaining an estimated 10,000 jobs connected to the operation of the port in the Southampton region.”

Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said: “As the operator of this important facility, we welcome this investment by ABP in Southampton. The new berth will ensure we remain globally competitive and successful by being able to handle the largest container vessels afloat.

“Having this new infrastructure capability is vital and underscores Southampton’s position as the first and last deep-sea port of call in Northern Europe for the Far East, with its sheltered location, first-class road and rail distribution links to the Midlands and market-leading service and productivity.

“We play a frontline role in global trade and the supply chain; the reconstructed quay will be a key driver for even greater productivity, with continued fast, reliable and secure services.”

Dredging works, to widen and deepen parts of the main approach channel between the Isle of Wight and the port, are awaiting approval by the Marine Management Organisation.

A contract for the works was awarded to VolkerStevin, a specialist in quality construction and project management services, by ABP in July following a competitive tendering process.

Rob Coupe, Managing Director, VolkerStevin, said: “The port’s customers rightly expect the best of operational capability and we look forward to providing that, on time and within budget, through the reconstruction of 201/202 into a world-class berthing facility for our client.”

As part of the multi-million pound investment programme, up to five ship-to-shore super post-panamax cranes will be installed at the reconfigured berth.

Productivity at DP World Southampton is currently at a record high, landside and shipside, thanks to what Mr Lewis cites as the “dynamic can-do culture” by employees who are keen to see the terminal become the best in Western Europe.

ABB’s delivery will enable the cranes to be operated remotely, without a driver on board, for improved overall efficiency.

The two new terminals that will open in 2014 in Rotterdam at Maasvlakte 2 will be the first in Europe to use remote control of ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, and the terminal of APM Terminals will be the first in the world where STS cranes have no driver’s cabin installed.

 “These projects underscore the need for fast and cost-effective container handling, and how the latest automation technologies can be applied to dramatically increase efficiency as a response to higher productivity requirements,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division.

The remote control of cranes improves overall productivity and working ergonomics for crane operators. The new terminals of APM Terminals and RWG in Rotterdam are designed to serve the largest container ships, which require lifting heights of over 50 meters. ABB’s system for remote control of STS cranes has the crane operators working in a control room located in the terminal building, where they supervise the cranes. This will improve working ergonomics and help reduce the stress on operator’s back and neck.

Operators supervise the crane motion via onboard cameras; often the camera views are more comprehensive than the views available from inside the crane cabin. Combined with access to control information provided by the automation system, these help to improve overall operator performance.

With a crane operator on board, crane acceleration and deceleration rates are limited. With no operator on board, the crane can run faster and ramp times can be shorter. This enables significantly shorter cycle times to unload an entire ship’s worth of cargo.

ABB’s system automates the crane’s corrective movements to ensure accuracy and speed. With no operator on board, more aggressive corrections can be made, which further reduces cycle times and contributes to higher productivity.

Over the years, ABB has delivered automation and electrification for almost 400 stacking cranes and nearly 600 STS cranes. With the recently awarded projects ABB’s remote control technology for STS cranes has made a breakthrough on the market. The first remotely controlled STS crane has been in commercial operation since December 2010 in Panama, where ABB worked in close cooperation with Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) to develop the remote control technology for STS cranes.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

Among other matters during the meeting, the Port Commission rescinded the Port of Houston Authority Senior Management Appeal Policy, as recommended by its Governance Task Force.  The Sunset Advisory Commission noted in its recent review of the Port Authority that the policy contradicts an essential duty of the Executive Director. 

The ongoing review of the Port Authority by the Sunset Commission continues to be a healthy one, Port Commission Chairman Jim Edmonds noted, with the Port Authority actively engaged with Sunset staff. Edmonds said both he and Waterworth testified before the Sunset Commission at a Sept. 5 hearing in Austin and reiterated their support of the process and indicated that the Port Authority is developing plans to aggressively implement Sunset recommendations as the process moves forward.

Another public hearing will be held in Austin Nov. 13-14, Government Relations Director Spencer Chambers said in a briefing to the Port Commission. That’s when a final set of recommendations involving the Port Authority will be adopted. Recommendations that require a change in state law will be considered by the Texas Legislature during its next regular session beginning in Jan. 2013. Public comments may still be submitted to the Sunset Commission, Chambers said.

Meanwhile, attendance at the upcoming Breakbulk Americas Conference in Houston is expected to be 10 percent to 15 percent higher than even the first Houston conference two years ago, which saw record attendance, reported John Moseley, General Manager, Trade Development. The conference now is held every two years in Houston, which is home to the largest breakbulk port in North America. This 23rd annual conference will be held Oct. 9-10.

In Waterworth’s monthly financial report, he said total tonnage at Port Authority facilities (excluding bulk cargo associated with leased locations) was up 110,000 tons or 5 percent for the month of August compared to last year, while year-to-date tonnage continues to show solid growth of 1.7 million tons or 9 percent.

For the month of August, steel tonnage was down by 39,000 tons or 10 percent overall, with import steel declining by 31,000 tons or 9 percent. Export steel declined by 8,000 tons or 19 percent.

“We are seeing some flattening of the growth in import steel,” Waterworth said. “Through year-to-date August, we have experienced an increase of 1.1 million tons or 41 percent in our steel tonnages.”

Other general cargo at Port Authority facilities (bulk product, bagged goods, wind power equipment, etc.) continues to show growth of 175,000 tons, or 8 percent for the year.

“We are pleased to note that August container tonnage increased by 245,000 tons or 16 percent, relating in part, to growth in our new direct service with COSCO and Hanjin at the Barbours Cut Terminal,” he noted.

Container units for August grew by 19,000 or 19 percent while year-to-date units are up by 27,000 or 4 percent.

August operating revenues were $20 million, up by 10 percent over last year, given the growth in container movement. Year-to-date revenues of $149.5 million show an increase of 10 percent over 2011, led by steel tonnage, dredge disposal fees and container revenues.

Year-to-date operating expenses were down by 3 percent, due to lower terminal maintenance costs, reduced pension and other retirement benefit costs.

“Overall operations revenues are going up while we are driving down costs,” he said.

Waterworth also gave a brief update on the potential strike by International Longshoremen’s Association workers. The collective bargaining agreement, due to expire on Sept. 30, was extended for a 90-day period through Dec. 29. He said staff is continuing to meet to assess and plan for any impacts the strike might have on the Port Authority.

The apprentices join the port for a four year course in either mechanical or electrical engineering, which will see them spend one year full time at college, with a subsequent three years training on the job supplemented by further college study. Classroom based study will be delivered by the Maritime and Engineering College North West in Birkenhead, part of the Mersey Maritime Group.

All recruits to the programme were required to pass tough aptitude tests and interviews in order to secure their apprenticeships. They will work their way to NVQ 3 by their third year, and an HNC qualification by their fourth.

Megan Pickering, a nineteen year old from Runcorn, is amongst this year’s sizeable intake. She has made history by becoming the first ever female engineering apprentice at the Port of Liverpool. 

The sixth form college graduate says she is overwhelmed by the scale of opportunity at the port. She said: “The size of the port is just breath taking. It’s not until you get on site and see the scale of activity that you realise just how much machinery is involved in the day to day operation of the port. It’s a very exciting prospect for a trainee engineer.”

All apprentices will develop skills in fabrication, welding, calibration and diagnostics, as well as report writing and problem solving. Staff at the port work closely with tutors at the Maritime and Engineering College to ensure the course is tailor made to deliver port-specific skills and is up to date with leading edge technologies. Each apprentice is assigned their own port employee mentor.

Gary Hodgson, Managing Director of Peel Ports Mersey says the investment in the apprenticeship programme underlines the Port of Liverpool’s commitment to local people and the wider region. He said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome 12 apprentices into the business at what is a particularly exciting time for the port in terms of our ability to be a creator of local wealth and prosperity.

“Investing in a highly skilled workforce is key to our future success. The fact that we are welcoming the largest number of apprentices we have seen in twenty years is indicative of the way our business is developing.

“Our apprenticeship programme is just one of a series of substantial investments and upgrades currently underway at the port, and one that we’re committed to expanding and developing year on year. Work is about to start on our £300m deep water container terminal, Liverpool 2, which will be operational in 2015. The new terminal will generate in the region of 5000 jobs over 20 years, which is great news for our apprentices – as well as being great news for the local and wider economy.”

All apprentices are employees of the port from the day they start their training; their salary increases incrementally over the four year apprenticeship. “To be able to get this kind of education, and get paid for it, is amazing”, Megan added. “The port is paying for an education I just couldn’t get anywhere else. Some people go to university and all they come out with is debt. I’m getting all of this – and a livelihood – for free. I’m really proud to be here.”