HHLA reports 2.2% uptick to 1.865M TEU

Hamburg-based HHLA saw its combined container handlings increase by 2.2% to 1,865,000 TEU in the first quarter of 2019 when compared with the same period of 2018

Its three Hamburg terminals actually dropped slightly, by 1.3%, to 1,722,000 TEU, while throughput at its facilities in Odessa and Tallinn improved by 76% to 143,000 TEU. HHLA took control of the latter facility in Q2 2018.

HHLA says that in a challenging market environment, revenue and the operating result rose strongly in the first three months along with further improvements in profitability. Extremely positive performance in container transport and property management led to a revenue of €347.6M (+ 10.3 %).

EBIT was far above the level of last year, increasing by € 11.8M or 24.5% to € 59.7M. Effects from the initial application of the IFRS 16 standard resulted in an increase of €3.5M.

Angela Titzrath, Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board, said: “The results attained in the first quarter provide a firm basis for us to reach our guidance for the year. We are therefore intensifying our efforts to systematically implement our strategy, which is focused on strengthening our creative power and future viability.

"Our customers measure us by our ability to live up to our performance promise. As a result, we constantly strive to achieve further improvements in our productivity, quality and reliability.”

Last week, Evergreen’s TAURUS, a 14,424 TEU, became the first ship in OCEAN Alliance’s new Asia service Loop 7 to call in Hamburg. This service is part of the new Day 3 Product, with which the Alliance (CMA CGM, Cosco, Evergreen, OOCL) is entering its third year. Six of the seven OCEAN Alliance Asia-North Europe services call at Hamburg.

Source: WorldCargo News

ICTSI reports 7% throughout rise in first trimester

In Q1 2019 container traffic increased 7% to 2.5M TEU, across the Manila-based GTO’s global portfolio. Revenues increased 18% to US$383.8M. EBITDA improved 25% to US$222.5M

Income attributable to equity holders increased by 77% to US$72.4M due to the strong operating income highlighted by strong operational and financial performance at VICT in Melbourne, Australia, lower financing charges, and a significant improvement in the operations at Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce SA (SPIA), ICTSI’s joint venture container terminal project with PSA International Pte Ltd in Buenaventura, Colombia (photo above).

The latter operation posted a lower net loss share of US$6.3M compared to US$8.9M in the same period in 2018 as the company continued to ramp-up container volume lifting SPIA’s EBITDA to positive level for the quarter.

“Enrique K Razon, Jr, ICTSI Chairman and President said: “ICTSI has continued to grow and delivered a strong first quarter financial performance underpinned by operational improvements and higher contributions from our new ports including VICT in Melbourne Australia, Lae and Motukea in Papua New Guinea. While we remain very mindful of the economic backdrop, we remain confident about the future prospects of the business as we build on this positive momentum.”

The increase in container volume was primarily due to improvement in trade activities, new shipping lines and services and continuous volume ramp-up at certain terminals.

Source: WorldCargo News

Six of the best for Hutchison

Hutchison Ports’ BEST terminal in Barcelona has added six new ASCs from Konecranes.

The new ASCs being commissioned

In March the BEST container terminal in the Port of Barcelona, received 6 new automated stacking cranes (ASC) from Konecranes, with TMEIC drives and controls, increasing its storage capacity from 24 to 27 ASC blocks.

Assembly and commissioning is currently underway and the three new blocks are expected to be operational in June.

Guillermo Belcastro, Hutchison Ports BEST CEO stated: “This investment will result in a significant increase in operational and storage capacity at the terminal and will contribute to our continuous improvement of service levels both in maritime and land operations”.

BEST has 1500m of berth with depth of 16.5m, 11 Super Post-Panamax quay cranes that are able to operate the biggest vessels in the world, 48 ASCs, 2 RMGs for its rail yard and 30 Shuttle Carriers.

Since opening in 2012 BEST has become a flagship for Hutchison Ports, and a port automaton success story. Hutchison Ports says the facility is the first “semi-automated terminal” developed by the group and has “continued to set new standards for ports in Southern Europe: achieving a ship productivity rate of more than 200 movements per hour and a sustained average performance of more than 40 movements per hour and by crane, one of the highest in the world”.

Source: WorldCargo News