The ship, CSCL Uranus, fresh out of the Korean shipbuilding yard on the 9th March 2012, arrived at KCT at 15:00 hrs. on its maiden call, is the largest vessel ever to arrive at Khorfakkan Container Terminal and is the largest China Shipping Container Lines’ (CSCL) vessel to arrive, not only into KCT, but the biggest vessel on this string to call into the Middle East.

With an overall length of 366 meters, a breadth overall of 51 meters and a total container capacity of 14, 074 TEUs this vessel is truly one of the giants in the industry today, and the port of Khorfakkan is proud to have been chosen to be the first port of call in the Middle East.

To celebrate the arrival of this incredible vessel into KCT for the first time, Simon Sundboell, Gulftainer Commercial Manager and Gulftainer management were there to welcome the vessel, her crew and representative from CSCL and present commemorative plaques to the CSCL ship captain and representatives of China Shipping UAE, Captain Wanjun and crew; Mr, Ibrahim Sharaf, Mr. Yassin Vakil, Mr. Ji Qing, and Mr. Simon Dai.

Gulftainer MD, Peter Richards, expressed his delight at the arrival of the vessel; “We are very pleased to welcome the CSCL Uranus into Khorfakkan. This is the first journey into the Middle East for this vessel and it’s first docking at KCT; an experience that we are sure will demonstrate our efficiencies. For KCT, this marks another success in our ever-expanding client range.”

Gulftainer’s KCT was last year named ‘Shipping Port of the Year’ at the Annual Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA 2011) in Dubai and is widely recognised as being one of the most efficient ports in the world. The selection of CSCL Uranus to dock in KCT on its maiden call further proves KCT’s abilities as one of the world’s fastest-moving ports.

KCT boasts 1,900 metres of quay, a 16 metre draft, 20 ship-to-shore Gantry Cranes, and is able to host the largest container vessels. It is strategically located on Sharjah’s Indian Ocean coast. The convenient location outside the Strait of Hormuz and in proximity to the main east-west shipping routes, coupled with its easy access to the UAE’s busy mainland cities of Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi makes KCT the perfect choice for shipping lines.

The port was recently expanded, increasing the total number of gantry cranes to 20 and the overall storage space to 450,000 square metres. The port welcomes vessels from major shipping lines year on year and is the world’s fastest-operating container terminal.

Gulftainer Company Limited has been operating since 1976 in the UAE and operates three main ports in the Emirates: Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), and Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), both on behalf of the Sharjah Port Authority, and terminal operations on behalf international plastics solutions company, Borouge, in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

Both the income from the letting out of sites and the income from harbour dues increased. The operating expenses rose slightly, mainly driven by a few non-recurring items. Financial director Paul Smits: ‘These figures mean that we can continue with our planned investments in the port. That is very important for the development of the main port in the long term.’

The Port of Rotterdam Authority’s two most important sources of income are the harbour dues paid by ships that visit the port and the income from the letting out of sites. The harbour dues have risen by EUR 17 million (+6%) to EUR 305 million. This increase was partially due to the increase in throughput (+1%), but primarily due to the so-called 2010 crisis discount of 7% being converted into a recovery reduction of 3% in 2011. The income from the letting out of sites rose by EUR 18 million (+7%) to EUR 267 million. The reasons for this were price indexation, the extension of a number of contracts at prices more in line with market rates, and the allocation of new sites in Maasvlakte 2, amongst others. In total the operating income increased by almost 7% to EUR 588 million, EUR 37 million more than in 2010. The operating expenses increased slightly. The income from participating interests amounted to EUR 9 million in 2011, mainly due to the favourable development of the participating interest in the Sohar port (in Oman).

Investments

The trend of the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s financial position is positive. A sound financial position is important if the high investment ambitions of the port of Rotterdam are to be realised. The investment level achieved in 2011 was the highest level achieved in the history of the port; in total, EUR 494 million was invested, of which (rounded off) EUR 379 million was invested in Maasvlakte 2 and EUR 116 million in the existing port area. In 2012, investments will again amount to about EUR 500 million of which about three quarters will be invested in Maasvlakte 2.

A number of non-recurring items are not included in the normalised net income. The most important of these items is a buy-off payment of EUR 17 million for the future salaries of the bridge men and lockkeepers who were transferred from the Port of Rotterdam Authority to the Municipality of Rotterdam on 1 January 2012.

Dividend

In respect of 2011, the Port of Rotterdam Authority will pay out a total dividend of EUR 90 million to its shareholders, the Municipality of Rotterdam (70%) and the State (30%). The State will receive EUR 19 million. The Municipality will receive EUR 46 million as a standard dividend and EUR 25 million as an extra dividend in relation to the release of a provision for the Commerzbank. In 2005, the Port of Rotterdam Authority paid out a lower dividend to the Municipality and formed a provision of EUR 20 million for the guarantees allegedly furnished to this bank. This amount, plus the interest on it, is now being paid out to the Municipality, as it is highly unlikely that the Port of Rotterdam Authority will have to make any payment.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority is moderately positive about the developments in 2012 and anticipates an increase in throughput of between 0 and 1%. Net income is expected to continue developing positively in 2012, due to income increasing slightly while expenses remain constant.

Integrated annual report

Since 2009, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has published an integrated Annual Financial Report and Corporate Social Responsibility Report, as corporate social responsibility is embedded in the organisation. 2011 is the second year in which Ernst & Young Accountants LLP has provided an integrated auditor’s report in respect of the Annual Report. The Report received the predicate A+ from the Global Reporting Initiative, which means its reporting procedures meet the highest possible standards of transparency. Since 2009, the Annual Report has no longer been published in hard copy but only online on the website www.portofrotterdam.com.

Created in 2004, LONG JI aims to identify and offer the world best green shipping technologies to the avant-garde Chinese ship-owners and shipyards. Thanks to this partnership with JLMD, LONG JI is taking a strong lead on the growing sustainable shipping market in China and steps up in the field of maritime passive safety.

LONG JI declared: “We are very excited to start this cooperation with JLMD Ecologic Group and promote the FOR Systems in China. Long JI is committed to offer Chinese shipping players with the best international environmental standards. We believe that accidental pollution is the new area of improvement for the industry and the FOR Systems are key elements of a truly green ship. The Chinese market is now mature to undertake the maritime passive safety revolution and lead the way towards a better account of accidental pollution in the ships’ design and construction phases. “

Gilles Longuève added: “LONG JI has a great track record in the sustainable shipping world. Together, we will work in China to raise awareness on the FOR Systems as the most efficient existing solutions to tackle accidental pollution. Chinese shipyards have already in the past demonstrated their will to build the most environmental-friendly vessels. The FOR Systems respond to their growing need for a more efficient solution to mitigate accidental pollution. We are confident that with the FOR Systems on-board, the salvage operations are made easier and the work of the salvors safer for the greatest benefit of the environment and ultimately of the whole maritime community.”

The FOR Systems have already made their way on the Chinese market thanks to the Tianjin Xingang Shipyard, which has become last August the first in the world to equip new built bulk carriers with this innovative technology.

Sven Hulterström, Chairman of the Port of Gothenburg, describes it as “a decision eagerly awaited by both employees and customers”.

It was in October 2010 that DFDS and C.Ro Ports signed a 25-year agreement with the Port of Gothenburg to operate Älvsborg Ro/Ro. The matter first went to the Swedish Competition Authority but because of the nature of the deal it was referred to the ECA, the European Competition Authorities, which conducted a thorough investigation.

The investigation revealed that there is sufficient competition on the ro-ro routes between Gothenburg and other countries in northern Europe and it is obvious from the agreement between the Port of Gothenburg and the new operator that the terminal must act in a non-discriminatory manner and welcome new customers.

The actual takeover is expected to take place at the beginning of May, at which point DFDS and C.Ro Ports will assume responsibility for the Terminal and around 280 employees.

Sven Hulterström continues: “EU approval means that the final piece in the new Port of Gothenburg organisation is in place. We can now devote all our efforts to focusing on the future and the further development of the principal freight hub in Scandinavia.”