TERCAT, a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings Group, received the first four quay cranes for Muelle Prat on 6 March.  The cranes have a height of 42 metres under spreader and weigh approximately 1,700 tonnes. They each have a maximum load capacity of 61 tonnes and an outreach of 22 container rows.

TERCAT has already taken delivery of other terminal equipment for Muelle Prat including 15 Automatic Stacking Cranes (ASC), and 11 Shuttle Carriers, used to transport containers from the quay side to the yard. The ASCs are one-over-five models and span nine container rows. A further 21 ASCs and nine shuttle carriers are on order.

The advanced semi-automatic equipment that will be used at Muelle Prat is expected to increase the efficiency of its operations, especially when servicing mega-vessels.

The terminal is scheduled to be operational in mid-2012. It will have 1,500 metres of quay, a draught of 16.5 metres and a 100 hectare yard.

 This is the fourth month in a row that intermodal volumes have increased. For the same time period, total container volumes dropped by 4 percent. This dip reflects a predicted decline in international container volumes in February as factories in China closed their doors for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Other year-over-year Tacoma cargo results:

Breakbulk volumes rose 51 percent, piqued by strong demand for construction and agriculture equipment.

Imported auto units are up 7 percent, illustrating improving U.S. auto sales.

Log exports slipped 28 percent, due to a slowing Chinese real estate market and the general economy.

The economy appears to be picking up gradual steam. Certain parts, however, such as employment and housing, remain weak. High gasoline prices over the next few months also could affect consumer confidence and retail sales.

London Gateway, which combines the UK’s new deep-water container port and Europe’s largest logistics park, opening 2013, has selected SPARCS N4, from Navis, a part of Cargotec Corporation, for managing the movement of cargo through the port.

SPARCS N4 will run automated processes at the port’s gate, in the container yard with its automated container handling equipment, and at the rail terminal. In addition, SPARCS N4 will manage the transfer of containers to and from the adjacent logistics park.

The new port, which is just 25 miles east of central London, will deliver a significant increase in vessel handling productivity and it’s essential that high speeds are maintained throughout the port and logistics park operations. Therefore, the selection of the terminal’s operating system was a key decision.

London Gateway CEO Simon Moore said:  “We will ensure London Gateway sets world class standards of productivity and customer service.

“Central to achieving this goal is the ability to move, track and store containers efficiently, which our partners Cargotec and Navis, will help us accomplish.” The project is the first joint Navis-Cargotec deployment of software with automated container handling equipment. The new system is tried and tested in other terminals within DP World, including Antwerp.

 Navis and Cargotec teams are now working closely on the integrated deployment of the Navis Terminal Operating System and an Automated Equipment Control System. 

Construction is well underway at London Gateway. From Q4 2013 onwards, it will give global shippers unique access to a deep-sea port in the heart of the UK market directly connected to distribution centres, reducing landside haulage costs in supply chains. 

“We are pleased with London Gateway’s decision to choose us as their partner in this very important project,” said Bill Walsh, Navis, President and CEO.

“As our first joint Navis and Cargotec deployment of software with automated cargo handling equipment, we look forward to providing London Gateway with a solution and partnership that will result in a modern and efficient terminal.” 

Late last year, Cargotec announced it had signed a cooperative agreement with DP World London Gateway to supply automated stacking cranes and straddle carriers.

With this, APM Terminals will be able to start the 18-month implementation phase performing all the required studies and final design work which once completed, will be submitted to the Government for approval. The next stage will then be dredging the access channel and the turning basin and the start of reclaiming the island terminal site.

“APM Terminals is very pleased with the pace and dedication with which the Costa Rican government has focused on advancing this project. The administration has  demonstrated this is a top priority and we intend to follow through on inaugurating the first phase of this project on schedule in 2016” said Paul J. Gallie, Managing Director, APM Terminals Moin, S.A.

The 33-year concession will require an estimated investment of USD $992M from APM Terminals for the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of the world-class container terminal in the Caribbean port of Moin, Limon Province, representing the largest single infrastructure project in the country.  Currently the Caribbean port handles up to 80% of the country’s international commerce.

“We are a global specialist in terminal development and operation who have built similar projects on schedule, so we’re very confident we can exceed the Costa Rican people’s expectations with this concession. Modern container terminals play a pivotal role in improving the efficiency of the logistics chain which results in a lower door-to-door transportation cost. This will have a key positive impact, especially for the fruit export trade.” assured Gallie.

The overall goal of the project is to develop and provide world-class marine terminal container handling services, increasing the competitiveness of Costa Rica’s international commerce.

Designed as a gateway terminal to handle Costa Rica’s increasing containerized exports and imports, the TCM is ideally located just 10 hours by sea from the Panama Canal and coincides with the Canal expansion to handle the larger vessels cascading into the region. Larger, modern vessels offer economies of scale, environmental efficiencies and additional reefer stowage.

The terminal is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs and stimulate rapid economic development in the entire Caribbean region of the country. Further commercial developments and Free Trade Zone investors, and manufacturers looking for an attractive labor pool as well as low cost logistic distribution points will be attracted to the port hinterland.

TCM project milestones:

18 August 2010        —       Bid submitted

01 March 2011         —       Concession Award notification

Conditions precedent completed

30 August 2011        —       Contract signed with Costa Rican Government

21 March 2012         —       Endorsement by Comptroller General

18 months                        Transition period for studies and final design

Q4 2013                  —       Construction Start Order

Q4 2016                  —       Inauguration of first phase

2042                      —       Estimated date of full build out      

In the first phase the TCM will consist of a 40 hectare area of reclaimed land off the Caribbean coast with 600 m of quay, 2 berths, 1.5 km breakwater, 16m deep access channel / 14.5 m alongside and 6 super-post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes. It will be a world-class facility with carbon neutral energy generating sources, electric cranes, environmental management and container scanning systems, safety procedures and expert training of all personnel.

At full build out, the TCM will have an area of 80 hectares with 1,500 m of quay, 5 berths, 2.2 km breakwater, 18 m deep access channel / 16 m alongside and 9 or more super-post Panamax ship-to-shore gantry cranes.