TPT Acting Chief Executive, Logan Naidoo*, said the state-owned port operator had previous experience outside South Africa, which could help to position African ports as the growth engines of their respective economies. This is in support of nine strategic transport sector objectives set out by the African Union and NEPAD (New Partnership for African Growth). These focused on enhanced efficiency of transport infrastructure, services and key transport corridors to strengthen the economic and social development of the African continent.

Key intra-continental initiatives being pursued by TPT include:

offering services such as port terminal operations, consulting, training, equipment maintenance and IT systems to other African ports

regional port planning and port pairing initiatives with other African ports

Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with other African countries.

“We are a very clean, boutique service, addressing the shipping needs of corporate truck and car manufacturers such as Navistar/International, Mack, Sofasa/Renault, VW, among others,” said Farid Escobar, SC Line’s South Florida Manager. “In line with our management’s long term strategic development plan, we opened a full commercial and operational branch in South Florida. Given their multitude of options from terminals, to maritime agencies, to clean, effective and lean regulatory procedures as well as its easy to reach top management team, we selected Broward County’s Port Everglades for this significant landmark.”

SC Line selected FTS for its stevedoring and cargo handling services at Port Everglades and USA Maritime as its franchised ship agent. SC Line is also retaining Alpha Marine Surveyors to independently survey and report on the performance of its vessel loading marine operations.

“We are honored the SC Line chose Port Everglades for its newest venture,” said Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak. “This new cargo shipping service fills an important niche in the Caribbean, especially now that the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia has been approved. SC Line is employing a business model that promises long-term success.”

The m/v WLOCLAWEK completed its inaugural voyage from Port Everglades earlier in May as part of SC Line’s new USATRUCK bi-weekly liner service into Cartagena, Manzanillo and Rio Haina. The USATRUCK service is the company’s first venture on the east coast of the United States. USATRUCK is now a regular Liner RoRo service using Cartagena as a connecting hub to SC Line’s alternate liner services such as MEXTRUCK which calls Altamira, Veracruz and Cartagena. USATRUCK’s target market comprises static and break-bulk project cargo, vehicles, boats, rolling stock, heavy equipment, among others. “Shippers will experience a pure Ro/Ro operation, very competitive rates and a personalized service 24/7,” added Line Manager, Rodolfo De León.

“We are confident our RoRo vessel will fill an important need in South Florida’s market from a vessel carrier stand point,” said SC Line’s General Director Jose M Sola. “We understand South Florida’s NVOCC, Forwarders market coverage and critical mass, thus we naturally focus our efforts and welcome an opportunity for them to try our reliable service. Finally, we also understand that doing business in the US is a privilege and we want to thank Port Everglades as well as the local, state and Federal institutions; for their guidance in carrying forward this special project.”

Cargotec aims to grow Marine business in Asia especially in offshore and to accelerate the operational performance improvement of Terminals to enable further growth. Chief Operating Officer Pekka Vauramo has been appointed Executive Vice President, Marine as of 1 August 2012. He will continue as Deputy to CEO. President and CEO Mikael Mäkinen will act as the Head of Marine business area from 14 May until 1 August 2012. Olli Isotalo, currently Executive Vice President, Marine, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Terminals as of 14 May 2012. Unto Ahtola, currently Executive Vice President, Terminals, will transfer to a new role as Executive Vice President concentrating on development projects from 14 May 2012. He continues to report to Mikael Mäkinen. Pekka Vauramo, Olli Isotalo and Unto Ahtola will continue as members of the Executive Board.

“We are determined to grow as a global market leader in cargo handling solutions. With these changes, we can utilise the best experiences and competences within our top management and support both Marine and Terminals business areas, which are in different phases of development. In Marine, we aim for further profitable growth in Asia and in Terminals for improved profitability and successful execution of its growth strategy within port automation. As a company we have to be agile to constantly develop and focus – key success factors in this changing environment,” says Mikael Mäkinen.

Over the next two days, crews will be offloading a large amount of specialty cargo from the vessel HR Recommendation, operated by BBC Chartering. From here, the cargo will travel on rail cars and trucks to SCE&G’s project site. “This is a project that will boost port volume and maritime jobs over the course of several years,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority. “We are very pleased that Westinghouse selected the Port of Charleston for this project, which further establishes our port as the premiere East Coast port for power generation moves.”

In 2011, the Port of Charleston held a full half of the South Atlantic ports’ market share in the non-containerized power generation segment.

“For this project, we are managing first-of-a -kind logistics, unprecedented in our business,” said Carl Rossi, Westinghouse’s director of Global Logistics. “Westinghouse is combining multiple companies including Toshiba Logistics, Landstar Logistics, the Port of Charleston, stevedores, major railroads and multiple trucking companies into a fully integrated delivery system.” The project, which is scheduled for completion in 2018, involves handling about 24,000 tons of equipment that will be deployed at V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3 in Jenkinsville, SC. A total of about 30 ships will deliver machinery and equipment – some pieces weighing up to 700 tons apiece – for delivery by rail and truck to the site approximately 30 miles northwest of Columbia.

A $23-million improvement project completed last year at the 135-acre Columbus Street Terminal enhanced the facility’s mix of on-dock rail, storage and heavy-lift capabilities. The terminal handles a variety of non-container cargoes, including autos, other rolling stock, breakbulk cargoes, heavy-lift and project moves, including power generation equipment.

Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502), is the world’s pioneering nuclear energy company and is a leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities throughout the world.