Hamburg up 6% to 34.6 Mt in Q1 2019

Container throughput increased by 6.4% to 2.3M TEU and the USA became the second largest trading partner in container traffic. Hinterland traffic increased by 8%

Both general cargo throughput at 23.9 Mt (+ 5.4%) and bulk cargo throughput at 10.7 Mt (+ 7.5%) rose substantially in the first three months.

The increase in container traffic is primarily attributable to four liner services new to Hamburg (they transferred from Bremerhaven) and linking it with ports in the USA, Canada and Mexico. A total 121,000 TEU for container transport with the USA represented an almost fourfold jump, catapulting the USA into second place among Hamburg’s top trading partners on container traffic. Twelve liner services now link the Port of Hamburg directly with 29 ports in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

“The four new Transatlantic services run by THE Alliance plus renewed growth in bulk cargo handling are putting the port on a growth path. Hamburg has now become the hub for services with the USA, Mexico and Canada,” said Axel Mattern, Joint CEO of Port of Hamburg Marketing.

At around 14.1 Mt, in the general cargo segment German foreign trade with the USA now constitutes the second strongest market after China with around 21.0 Mt.

Of the total of 2.3M TEU handled, hinterland traffic accounted for 1.45M TEU (+ 8%), while feeder traffic, partly on the back of the new North America/Mexico strings, increased by 3.8% to 865,000 TEU.

Source: WorldCargo News

Norfrigo to set up in Dunkirk

Norfrigo, a partnership between Boulogne-based fisheries company Le Garrec and European cold chain specialist STEF will build a new refrigerated cargo DC in the logistics zone in Dunkirk West Port, close to the container terminal and the Border Inspection Post

Privately-owned Le Garrec has always based its logistics operations in port zones, including CAP GEL in Le Havre and an existing Norfrigo partnership in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The new Norfrigo DC in Dunkirk will occupy 48,000 m3, with space for 10,400 europallets, and the agreement with the port authority allows for expansion.

The new installation, said Antoine Le Garrec, head of service with Groupe Le Garrec, will support operations in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Europe’s biggest fresh fish processing port, taking account of various fiscal changes, possible consequences of Brexit, and Dunkirk’s proximity and its deep sea container port status.

Source: WorldCargo News

More AutoRTGs for Dublin

Kalmar is to extend the Kalmar AutoRTG system at Dublin Ferry Terminal with two new AutoRTGs

Delivery of the machines is scheduled during Q2 of 2020.

Part of the container and terminal division of Irish Continental Group, DFT operates the most modern container terminal at Dublin Port, with an annual throughput of around 380,000 TEU. The order forms part of its ongoing investment programme focused on ensuring the terminal is equipped with the latest technologies to support future growth.

The current Kalmar AutoRTG system at DFT comprises two Kalmar AutoRTG cranes with fully automated stack operation and remote-controlled truck handling, controlled via two remote control desks using the Kalmar Terminal Logistics System (TLS). All service, maintenance and technical support is provided by Kalmar’s dedicated on-site engineering team. Kalmar’s access control system ensures that personnel cannot access the area where the cranes operate until it is safe.

The Kalmar AutoRTG system features TLS scheduling capabilities interfacing with Kalmar application keys. Scheduling operations in TLS instead of the terminal operating system (TOS) allows DFT to optimise job execution as the TLS has access to information about equipment status and location, container inventory and other yard activities. This saves time and helps cut energy consumption per container move.

Alec Colvin, Container Terminal Director at DFT, said: "We are delighted to continue our long term partnership with Kalmar, who continue to prove their commitment and expertise in delivering terminal automation technologies. We expect the new AutoRTGs and the technologies deployed are vital in our efforts to continuously improve terminal safety & efficiency across our operations in Ireland."

Ilkka Annala, Vice President, Intelligent Crane Solutions, Kalmar, said: "Our AutoRTG system has proven a great success for DFT, helping them to automate and optimise their operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

"Our step-wise approach to automation is unique, allowing terminals to take the automation journey at their own pace, and we are delighted that DFT is now reaping the rewards. We look forward to continuing our automation journey with them."

Source: WorldCargo News