Original news was published on 28 August, 2017

Bahri Dry Bulk has signed an agreement valued at USD 120 million, to purchase four bulk carriers from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, a member of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Group, which owns one of the largest state-of- the-art shipyards in the world.

With construction commencing immediately, each vessel will be built to the highest environmental, fuel-efficiency and safety standards, with a capacity to carry up to 80,000 metric tonnes per voyage, and will be delivered during the year 2020.

“Bahri’s long-standing relationship with Hyundai Heavy Industries Group bears testimony to the success of the bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea, and Bahri and HHI’s shared values for long-term growth,” said Ali Al-Harbi, acting CEO of Bahri.

“Upon delivery, the vessels will contribute towards the growing demand Bahri Dry Bulk is witnessing for the import of essential grains such as barley, wheat and corn into the Kingdom,” added Al-Harbi.

Nezar Banabeela, president of Bahri Dry Bulk, commented, “For Bahri Dry Bulk, the additional vessels will help to address the needs of customers in KSA and the region as well as international companies importing grains into the Kingdom. This, in turn, will enable food security for the Kingdom, and through this initiative, we are proud to play an active role towards achieving an important objective of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

Sam H Ka, president & COO of HHI, said, “Ours is a long and special relationship that has evolved over many years, and over the course of which we have successfully delivered many other ships to Bahri including VLCCs.”

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Original news was published on 24 August, 2017

Paceco's parent company Mitsui E&S will build three new STS cranes for Matson’s San Island Terminal in Honolulu and upgrade three existing cranes.

The order has been placed with Paceco Corporation by Matson Navigation Company, Inc. The cranes are part of a US$60M refurbishment Matson is undertaking to prepare its Sand Island Honolulu terminal for the arrival of four new vessels to the Matson fleet. The state of Hawaii is funding berth work to support the expansion as part of its own harbour modernisation plan.

“The new cranes will be built by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding (MES), delivered next year and installed at Matson's Sand Island Terminal in Honolulu in early 2019.  They will have greater lifting capacity, height and reach than Matson's existing cranes, enabling full service of the company's new larger Hawaii vessels going into service over the next three years.  They are also more energy efficient, easier to maintain and will be equipped with fibre-optic cabling, enabling faster and more accurate communication of data used in Matson's container tracking system,” Matson said in a statement.

The new cranes will have a lifting capacity of 65 long tons, and replace three older, smaller units. Three other existing cranes will be upgraded to the same 11.5 kV electrical system with fibre-optic cable as the new cranes.

"Having just marked our 135th year in Hawaii, these latest investments in our fleet and terminal infrastructure underscore Matson's long-standing commitment to serving our island communities with the most reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly operations in Hawaii for the long-term," said Matt Cox, chairman and chief executive officer.  

The new vessels include two Aloha Class ships under construction at Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia scheduled for delivery in Q3 2018 and Q1 2019. With a capacity of, 3,600 TEU they will be Matson's largest ships and the largest containerships ever built in the U.S, the company noted. They will also be faster than any of Matson's current vessels, designed to operate at speeds in excess of 23 knots, helping ensure timely delivery of goods in Hawaii.

Matson has also ordered two Kanaloa Class vessels from General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, scheduled for delivery at the end of 2019 and mid-year 2020. These are con-ro vessels built on a 3,500 TEU vessel platform (870 feet long and 115 feet wide), with enclosed garage space for up to 800 vehicles.  

All of the new vessels will have dual-fuel engines, able to operate on either conventional fuel oils or liquefied natural gas (LNG), with some adaptation for LNG required.

“The larger capacity of the Aloha Class and Kanaloa Class vessels will allow Matson to return to an optimal nine-ship fleet deployment in Hawaii, increasing efficiency and lowering operating costs, a key objective of the company's infrastructure investments,” the company concluded. Seven older vessels that will no longer comply with environmental regulations in 2020 without substantial modification will be retired.

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Original news was published on 22 August, 2017

ZPMC will supply four huge STS cranes for the expansion of the Virginia International Gateway (VIG) terminal.

The Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners has approved the port spending US$44.8M on four new STS cranes, parts, and delivery to Virginia from China and installation at VIG. The cranes are part of the US$320M expansion of Virginia International Gateway (VIG), and will be supplied by ZPMC.

“The largest of their kind in the United States, these four cranes will be able to handle the Ultra Large Container Vessels, or ULCVs, that are currently calling the port, as well as the even higher-volume ships of the future,” the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) said in a statement.

Virginia had 22-row outreach cranes years before any shipping line was interested in deploying a post-Panamax (pre Panama Canal extension) vessel to the US east coast, and the port continues to focus on trying to stay ahead of the shipping industry when it comes to crane size.

Its new ZPMC units will have an outreach of 69m from the waterside rail and a lift height above rail of 52m, while keeping with the existing 100ft rail gauge. Lifting capacity is 65 long tons under a twin-20-foot spreader or 100 long tons under cargo hook. Total crane weight is 1,827 tons.

“These cranes are the biggest of the big – the largest ZPMC has ever delivered to the U.S.” said Virginia Port Authority (VPA) Board Chairman John G. Milliken. “What is unique about these cranes is their outreach, they will be able to reach across a vessel that is 26 containers wide, which is three-to-four containers wider than most cranes. We anticipated needing this capacity (of the cranes) for the ships that will be coming to Virginia 10 years from now. When that day comes The Port of Virginia will be ready.”

The contract also includes the purchase of several “specialised cargo handling components for the cranes” and an option on two additional ship-to-shore cranes for use at Virginia’s other container facility, Norfolk International Terminals (NIT).

“Once the new cranes are delivered, The Port of Virginia will have 30 ship-to-shore cranes at work in the Norfolk Harbor and the ability to service the biggest container ships sailing the Atlantic Ocean: VIG will have 12 cranes; NIT has 14; and Portsmouth Marine Terminal (PMT) has six. The new cranes are set for delivery in April 2019,” VPA added.

“Acquiring these cranes is another important step in the larger expansion efforts underway at VIG,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the VPA. “The big ships calling the port are only getting bigger and we are charting our course for the future to ensure we will be able to accommodate the larger capacities still to come.”

The biggest ship to call in Virginia to date is the 13,000 TEU COSCO DEVELOPMENT, which stows containers 19-wide on deck.  

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Intermodal Europe is the world-leading exhibition and conference for companies associated with the container shipping industry. Covering all areas of container transport, logistics and innovation across road, rail and sea, the event provides an invaluable industry forum in Europe that brings together senior decision-making professionals with expert speakers and leading global exhibitors.

Attracting over 6,000 international attendees from 70+ countries across three days, Intermodal Europe is your platform to do business with a global audience. Taking place on the 28th-30th November at the RAI Amsterdam, more than 140 global suppliers will exhibit at this year’s event. Confirmed exhibitors already include; Carrier Transicold, CARU Containers, CIMC, Daikin, Emerson Climate Technologies, Flex-Box, Florens, Maersk Container Industry, Orbcomm, Seaco Global, Seacube, Thermo King, Triton International and UNIT 45.


“After the success of Intermodal Europe 2016, there is a lot to look forward to at the event” explains Sophie Ahmed, Event Director. “The show will develop in line with the emerging areas of growth within the market, including technological advancements surrounding the Internet of Things and Big Data, and the container weighing solutions emerging since the SOLAS amendment last year. The event will also continue to reflect the tank, reefer, special container and components market, as well as developing the container innovation and modification element, which will be a big focus for us in 2017”.

The Intermodal Europe conference, which runs alongside the Exhibition, will cover a range of strategic, innovative and technical topics. The Intermodal Europe conference will focus on market recovery and the ongoing transformation of the global container shipping industry. Having faced considerable changes over the last 12 months, the industry can now begin to forward plan with a sense of optimism.

To find out more, please contact Sophie Ahmed on sophie.ahmed@informa.com or visit www.intermodal-events.com

Original news was published on 21 August, 2017

Hansa Heavy Lift has transported six rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, each weighing 135 metric tonnes and measuring 28.9 by 11.3 by 26.6 m, from Japan to Turkey.

All units were loaded onto the vessel HHL Kobe at the port of Saiki in southern Japan, with two of the cranes being discharged at the port of Gebze and the remaining four at the harbour of Gemlik, in Turkey.

“This was an unusually high number of RTGs being transported on a P2-800 vessel, compelling us to extend the deck as well as ensure there was sufficient space between the units, so that all cargo could be accommodated safely,” said Mohammad Abbas, Project Engineer, Hansa Heavy Lift.

“Due to the sensitivity of the cargo units, additional precautions needed to be taken, including a motion response analysis to determine the effects of any accelerations on the cargo during the voyage.”

“Strong cooperation between the crews and stevedores at the ports of loading and discharge ensured the project was executed seamlessly, within the tight timeframe that had been assigned.”

The deck extension included six metres to the aft side and three metres to the starboard side, as well as a total of 11 tween deck pontoons being stowed on deck to accommodate all units.

The strength of the extension tween deck panels was verified through a finite element analysis, to demonstrate that the overhung deck was sufficiently safe and durable enough to support the cargo.

A 3D model assimilation was also created before the start of the voyage to check the clearance between the RTGs and vessels’ cranes due to the large size of the units.

The project was carried out on behalf of Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, with Yilport Konteyner Terminal Ve Liman Isletmeleri A.S. acting as the charterer.

“By optimising the number of cranes transported on a single vessel, Hansa Heavy Lift presented us with a very cost-effective and efficient option,” said Selami Mercan, Engineering Service director, Yilport Holding Inc.

“The entire project, from planning to delivery, was handled with care and ease, and we would be eager to work with HANSA HEAVY LIFT again in the future.”

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Original news was published on 18 August, 2017

Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) has completed the construction of the 43,000 sq m Moscow Cargo terminal.

SVO said the new hub had been constructed in partnership with Volga-Dnepr Group and Aeroflot. Moscow Cargo, the ground handling agent at SVO, says the terminal would be open for operations next month.

The project commenced in March 2016 as part of SVO's development and modernisation programme for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

According to the airport, the cargo terminal meets all modern requirements in the area of ground cargo handling, and exceeds the level of technical equipment of similar facilities in Russia. SVO claims this creates "favourable conditions" for further development of the global cargo hub, in partnership with Volga-Dnepr and Aeroflot.

Located 29 km northwest of central Moscow, the terminal is equipped with an automated seven-tier system of cargo racking for shelf storage and handling, designed for 3,198 pallets; a four-tier area for container storage, equipped with an automated ULD processing system; 13 conveyor lines reaching the aerodrome; and 29 cargo acceptance/pick-up points equipped with dock levellers and canopies.

Two of the dock levellers and canopies are intended to handle oversized cargoes, says SVO, while two will be used for express shipment items.

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Original news was published on 16 August, 2017

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering oversaw the time-critical delivery of 60 tons of pipe spooling from Sharjah to Houston for an equipment upgrade at a gas-to-liquids processing plant.

The air cargo charter specialist’s Dubai office coordinated the movement, on behalf of a freight forwarder, with the assistance of Magma Aviation, which repositioned a nose-loading B747-400F aircraft to the Middle East for the operation.

In May this year, Chapman Freeborn increased its minority holding to a 75% stake in UK-based Magma Aviation, an aircraft management firm. At the same time as the increase shareyholding, Magma took operational control of a second B747-400F from Air Atlanta Icelandic.

Chapman Freeborn’s cargo team was able to make a detailed loadability assessment of the pipe spooling and provide packaging advice for the urgent consignment — which included six crates of pipes of varying weights and dimensions, with the largest of the pieces measuring over 13 metres in length.

Under the supervision of specialist loadmasters, the outsize equipment was carefully transferred from flatbed trucks and onto high loaders using an external crane brought in for the project.

Following the successful loading of the complex cargo in Sharjah, the Magma aircraft departed on schedule and flew to the US via a short refuelling stop in Liege, Belgium.

The equipment was cleared quickly in Houston for onward transit to its final destination for installation.

Vikas Chaturvedi, Chapman Freeborn’s commercial manager for India and Middle East, said:  “Time-critical shipments of this kind can be challenging when the load consists of multiple outsize pieces – but with the help of Magma Aviation and the other parties involved we’re pleased to have ensured a smooth operation.”

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Original news was published on 11 August, 2017

Australian energy company AGL has selected Crib Point, Western Port, in Victoria as the preferred site for the construction of a gas import terminal.

The company said that a gas import jetty and pipeline would be built in order to increase energy security and supply in south eastern Australia.

“Crib Point is best placed to serve Victoria, Australia’s largest gas market, as well as take advantage of the existing pipeline network, industrial port facility and associated infrastructure,” AGL added.

AGL will continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders, including Government authorities and the Western Port community, to complete feasibility studies on the proposed site.

“This doesn’t signal the end of the feasibility studies for the proposed site but now accelerates the process. We look forward to ongoing consultation with the local community to answer their questions and proceed towards a formal application to the Victorian Government,” Richard Wrightson, AGL Executive General Manager, Wholesale Markets, said.

“If all goes to plan, AGL would invest roughly AUD 250 million, commence construction in 2019 and bring the terminal into operation by 2020/21.”

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Original news was published on 10 August, 2017

Authorities at the port of Peterhead in the north of Scotland have signed a contract to handle breakbulk components for the construction of an offshore windfarm near Aberdeen.

The project will involve the use of the world’s largest floating cranes and will see installation of 11 turbines for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Center, or EOWDC.

“This is great news for business in Peterhead, and an indication of the port’s growing reputation as a place which can accommodate some of the most challenging and cutting-edge offshore construction requirements,” said Paul Wheelhouse, UK Energy Minister.

The project is under development by energy firm Vattenfall and has been supported by €40million of funding from the European Union and Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group. Once complete the EOWDC will have an installed capacity of 92.4 megawatts.

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Original news was published on 08 August, 2017

Breakbulk carrier Zeaborn Group is to purchase five Superflex heavy-lift vessels from Rickmers Holding.

The deal is expected to conclude by the end of September and the vessels are each equipped with intermediate decks for optimizable loading capacities and four cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 640 tons.

Headquartered in Bremen in the north of Germany, Zeaborn acquired breakbulk shipper Rickmers-Linie and NPC Projects business operations earlier this year, and rebranded the carrier as Rickmers-Line. Zeaborn operates a combined fleet of about 50 multipurpose vessels, with lifting capacities of up to 700 tons.

“The purchase of these five vessels from Rickmers Holding is therefore not only a further commitment to the expansion of commercial activities and of the Rickmers-Line, but also ensures independence from third-party tonnage and external influences. With the ownership of the liner-service vessels, we are able to ensure the Round-The-World Pearl String liner service for our customers on a sustainable basis,” said Ove Meyer, managing partner at Zeaborn.

The five vessels purchased are Rickmers Singapore, Rickmers Jakarta, Rickmers New Orleans, Rickmers Seoul and Rickmers Dalian.

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