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<title>PORTS AND TERMINALS - Transportweekly.Com</title> 
<link>http://www.transportweekly.com</link> 
<description>PORTS AND TERMINALS</description> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Vallarpadam ICTT to be ready for operations]]></title>
        <pubDate>30.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ As of today, 95 per cent of the physical completion of DP World’s Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), in Cochin Port, has been achieved. The first phase of the terminal is expected to be ready for operations by the end of August, Exim News Service informs.This information was given in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of Shipping, Mr G. K. Vasan. The Cochin Port Trust (CoPT) had carried out environment impact assessment (EIA) studies of the ICTT through the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. No adverse impact was predicted at the time of the EIA study.Based on the EIA study, environment clearance was obtained for these projects from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). While communicating the approval, MoEF had directed CoPT to commission NIO for continuous monitoring of the impact of the project for a period of three years from its commencement. Accordingly, CoPT did so.This study commenced in December 2008, when capital dredging commenced, and will continue even beyond the completion of the capital dredging, till December 2011. NIO has not so far reported any adverse impact of the capital dredging on the coast, Mr Vasan informed the House. As for the public representation, CoPT has engaged experts from the Department of Oceanography, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, to carry out a fresh, independent study of the subject, the Minister explained.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74351/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74351/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Ban on iron ore exports from Karnataka ports]]></title>
        <pubDate>30.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Karnataka (India) has banned the export of iron ore from the 10 ports in the state from August 2, Exim News Service reports.The Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, said, "The state has stopped issuing permits for movement of iron ore in the state except for captive purpose."The minor ports through which iron ore was exported earlier include Karwar, Old Mangalore and Belikeri.The move is aimed at curbing illegal mining for exports.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74350/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74350/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Cochin Port’s Q1 throughput posts 23 pc rise]]></title>
        <pubDate>30.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Cochin Port has posted an impressive throughput growth rate of 23.1 per cent in April-June 2010 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2009, according to Exim News Service. According to statistics put out by the Indian Ports Association (IPA), which assessed the performance of the 12 Major Ports for the first quarter of this fiscal, Cochin Port registered an increase of 8,26,282 tonnes in its cargo handling over the figure of 2009-10’s first quarter.Cochin Port handled 36,55,974 tonnes in the 2009 quarter, which increased to 44,82,256 tonnes during 2010.Cochin Port even posted a considerable increase in the number of containers handled during the quarter, from 72,122 TEUs (in the 2009 quarter) to 84,545 TEUs this year—a growth of 17 per cent.The Port also registered a considerable increase in the handling of liquid cargo, including crude, petrol and lubricants.Cargo handling increased from 24,43,028 tonnes to 31,65,504 tonnes, an increase of 30 per cent.Imports through the Port also increased. Cement imports, which were 7,590 tonnes in the quarter of last year, rose to 61,663 tonnes in this year’s quarter. Even timber import went up from 8,476 tonnes during the quarter, to 12,958 tonnes. However, import of sulphur showed a declining trend.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74349/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74349/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Ports announce Annual Clean Air Award Winners]]></title>
        <pubDate>30.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Five local maritime and cargo companies that have taken extraordinary steps to improve air quality collected honors at the third annual San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan Air Quality Awards presented by the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.The recipients include a wide array of port businesses: a trucking firm, a scrap metal recycler, a marine terminal operator, a tugboat company and a port-pilot service. All have voluntarily gone above and beyond required air quality measures.“The companies we’re honoring today have shown an extraordinary commitment to growing green in the San Pedro Bay port complex,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “It’s this kind of forward thinking that has helped our ports significantly reduce air emissions, modernize facilities and cultivate new technologies that help ensure good jobs and a brighter future for millions of people.”“These companies are joining in the ports’ vision of a modern, green seaport complex that reduces its environmental impact while improving its services,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. “Together, we are accomplishing the goals of achieving dramatically cleaner, healthier air while continuing to provide jobs to the region.”When the ports adopted the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) in 2006, they called for the goods movement industry to join them - to voluntarily commit to the same environmental ideals. As demonstrated by the winners in this year’s CAAP awards, many companies are more than willing and able to join in the fight for clean air.Nominees were judged by a panel that included representatives of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. &nbsp;The 2010 winners fall into three categories:Air Quality Leadership at the Corporate Level°&nbsp;California Cartage Company (Cal Cartage): Cal Cartage is one of the nation’s largest port drayage trucking companies, serving both ports. The company has nearly half of all of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks now operating in the local port complex. These LNG trucks emit 83 percent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx), no diesel particulate matter, and 23 percent less greenhouse gases than the cleanest 2010 model year diesel trucks. In addition to Cal Cartage’s nearly 400-strong LNG fleet, the company has aggressively upgraded the rest of its operation to new state-of-the-art clean diesel technologies.&nbsp; °&nbsp;Matson Navigation Company: Matson, a marine terminal operator at the Port of Long Beach, voluntarily retrofitted one of its ships so that it can plug into shore power once the electrical berth infrastructure is in place later this year, well in advance of state law. And as part of its environmental management system, Matson adopted “green” goals to reduce the impact of company operations on the environment. Matson vessels switched to low-sulfur fuels within 24 nautical miles of the California coast before the regulatory requirement, and Matson achieves at least 90 percent compliance with the Port of Long Beach’s Green Flag vessel speed reduction program. Matson has been honored for the last two years as one of the top 14 carriers in the Green Flag program.&nbsp; Innovative Air Quality Improvement Technologies °&nbsp;Jacobsen Pilot Services Inc.:&nbsp; Jacobsen provides port-pilot services to ships calling at the Port of Long Beach. To take its pilots to and from vessels arriving and departing the port, Jacobsen brought in the “Altair,” the first and only outboard-powered pilot boat operating on West Coast. The vessel, which handles about 40 percent of the company’s workload, serves as an excellent pilot boat while reducing air emissions and improving efficiency. The boat’s engines have 84 percent less emissions than a conventional outboard motor and emit no diesel particulate matter. Jacobsen designed, funded and began using the “Altair” as a completely voluntary effort to improve efficiency and reduce air pollution.Significant early action to reduce emissions°&nbsp;Crowley Marine Services:&nbsp; Crowley provides tugboat services at the ports.&nbsp; In advance of regulatory requirements, Crowley has replaced four main diesel engines and eight diesel auxiliary engines on four of its vessels at a cost of roughly $1 million per tug. The effort was conducted with assistance from the Port of Los Angeles Air Quality Mitigation Incentive Program. Through this early action, the repowered tugs are expected to reduce particulate matter emissions by more than 3 tons per year and nitrogen oxides by more than 100 tons per year.°&nbsp;SA Recycling, LLC:&nbsp; A leading scrap metal recycler, SA Recycling has retired, replaced, and retrofitted cargo-handling equipment at its facilities in both ports, exceeding state clean-air regulatory requirements. SA Recycling enforces a five-minute idling limit on equipment and customer tractor-trailers. The company also works to prevent unnecessary handling and movement of equipment to reduce emissions.The Air Quality Awards were created to further the goals of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan. The Plan is a master strategy aimed at reducing harmful emissions from ships, trucks, trains and other heavy equipment used in the movement of cargo through the ports.The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are the two busiest U.S. seaports, moving $300 billion in trade each year and supporting more than 500,000 jobs in Southern California. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74339/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74339/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ PD Ports welcomes expansion by JDR Cable Systems to expand at Hartlepool dock]]></title>
        <pubDate>29.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ PD Ports has welcomed the decision by a major supplier to the offshore energy sector to more than double its facility at Hartlepool dock. This news comes as JDR Cable Systems is backed by UK Government funding to help continue its groundbreaking work in wind farm development.JDR Cable Systems, a leading provider of subsea power cables, umbilical systems and marine cables for the energy sector, has signed a deal to expand its current 100,000 sq ft facility at Hartlepool, opened only last July, by a further 116,000 sq ft to meet demand.&nbsp; Jerry Hopkinson, PD Ports’ MD, bulks, ports and logistics, said: “The expansion of JDR is very good news as it reinforces Hartlepool’s position in the offshore renewable energy sector and the confidence our customers have in the port’s ability to facilitate the needs of offshore manufactures. It is evidence that our plans to build a renewable energy supply chain cluster in the region is progressing well.”JDR’s purpose-built state-of-the-art 100,000 sq ft facility, which incorporates two carousels to process the 2,200 tonne cables, is the only site in the UK designed specifically to manufacture subsea power cables for the oil and gas sector and the burgeoning offshore renewables market. The location at Hartlepool dock allows the cables to be spooled directly onto cable-laying vessels. The Hartlepool site is also strategically placed for the Dogger Bank’s North Sea expansion zone which the UK Government recently targeted as a preferred site for wind farm technology.JDR has recently completed a 25km subsea power cable and hub for the South West Regional Development Agency's Wave Hub project - to be deployed off the coast of Cornwall at the end of July. JDR has also just finished work on 200 km of&nbsp; array cables for the Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm and has begun work on 230 km of array cables for the London Array offshore wind farm.JDR was recently awarded a £2million grant to develop high voltage cables.&nbsp; The award forms part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC's) plans to help UK companies invest in the equipment and technology required to support the country’s transition to a low carbon future.&nbsp;&nbsp; Patrick Phelan, Managing Director of JDR Cable Systems Ltd. said: “JDR is pleased to be located in Hartlepool with PD Ports as a partner. We have already reaped the benefits of having direct access to the North Sea and the proximity to all the major offshore wind farms currently under development in the UK. In addition, the ability to expand our facilities as the market demands is essential to our strategy of growth and diversification.”A party of journalists specialising in the renewable energy sector visited Teesside recently in a media trip organised by One North East.&nbsp; The visit included a tour of JDR Cable Systems’ facility and Hartlepool Dock, as guests of PD Ports.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74328/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74328/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Antwerp and Zeebrugge post rising volumes]]></title>
        <pubDate>29.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Antwerp and Zeebrugge reported substantial year-on-year gains in container volumes but slower quarter-to-quarter growth, reported London's Containerisation International. Antwerp was up 16.5 per cent to 2,187,000 TEU year on year in the second quarter, but only slightly ahead of first quarter volume of 2,013,236 TEU. Zeebrugge's second quarter was up 19.8 per cent to 640,973 TEU, but only slightly more than the 611,268 TEU throughput in the first quarter. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74315/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74315/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ RMPs to be installed at Major Ports ]]></title>
        <pubDate>29.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The Union government proposes to install Radiation Monitoring Portals (RMPs) at all the Indian Major Ports by 2012, the Minister of Shipping, Mr G.K. Vasan, informed Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session, Exim News Service reports.The RMPs will help prevent smuggling of radioactive hazardous materials. Currently, steel junk imported is visually examined by the Customs Department.The Minister also disclosed that Paradip Port Trust was developing a multi-purpose berth to handle clean cargo, including containers, on public-private partnership (PPP) basis at an estimated cost of Rs 387.31 crore. The likely date of completion of this project was September 2013.The commissioning of this project would enhance the Port’s cargo-handling capacity by 5 million tonnes, he added.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74300/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74300/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ 50 NMDP projects completed in port sector]]></title>
        <pubDate>29.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ As on March 31 this year, as many as 50 projects have been completed under the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP) in the port sector, at a cost of Rs 5,717.28 crore. In addition, 74 projects are under progress, envisaging an investment of Rs 18,502.68 crore, according to Exim News Service.This information was given in Parliament by the Union Minister of Shipping (India), Mr G. K. Vasan.He further informed the House that out of the total investment of Rs 55,804 crore in the port sector, a major portion was expected to come from the private sector. To attract and encourage private sector investment in this sector, the Union government had finalised a Model Request for Qualification (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) and Model Concession Agreement (MCA).These, he asserted, would also ensure uniformity and transparency in the bid process.New guidelines for upfront fixation of tariff had also been finalised for berths and terminals to be bidded out to private operators so that prospective bidders were aware of the projected revenue flow from the concerned project.Since the NMDP was approaching its 2011-12 milestone, it had been decided to create a New Perspective Plan for the maritime sector up to 2020, Mr Vasan revealed.The plan would have year-wise projects for a 10-year period covering the 12th Plan and the initial period of the 13th Plan.It would include policy framework for stimulation of capacity expansion as well as growth of the maritime sector, supplementary projects for ports development from other infrastructure ministries like National Highway Authority of India, roads, railways, inland waterways, dredging, mechanisation and modernisation plan of Major Ports, non-major ports, etc.The Ministry had constituted a Sub-Group and a Core Working Group for preparation of Perspective Plan 2020 for the port sector. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74299/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74299/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Port releases final Gerald Desmond Bridge report]]></title>
        <pubDate>29.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The Port of Long Beach released the final environmental analysis for a plan to replace the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge with a new, nearly $1 billion span that would improve traffic flow, safety and vessel navigation. The document is available on the Port’s website and is scheduled on Aug. 9 to be considered for approval by the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Earlier this year the Port completed the revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the project and solicited comments, holding two public hearings on the project. The final EIR incorporates and responds to those comments.“The bridge is obsolete and deteriorating,” said Port Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. “The new bridge will add lanes for improved traffic flow and dedicated safety lanes to keep traffic moving if there’s a breakdown or accident.” The Gerald Desmond Bridge, built in 1968, is a vital route for cargo, carrying about 15 percent of the nation’s goods. It is also a critical link for commuters, who make up about 75 percent of bridge traffic. The bridge serves as a connection for thousands of vehicles each day between Long Beach and San Pedro, and between Orange County and western Los Angeles County.The new bridge would have three traffic lanes plus emergency lanes in both directions, making it safer and better able to accommodate cars and trucks on a major Southern California commuting route. The new bridge would be higher to allow for the newest generation of green cargo ships to pass underneath.In addition, construction of the new bridge would create up to 4,000 jobs per year for five-to-six years.“It’s critical that we replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge now. Rather than continue to pour money into maintaining a structure with major shortcomings, we have proposed a replacement bridge to meet our needs now and in the future. And construction will support thousands of badly needed jobs,” Steinke said.The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to consider the proposed final EIR at its Aug. 9 meeting.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74287/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74287/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Malaysia to ease container congestion in Penang ]]></title>
        <pubDate>28.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The Penang government in Malaysia has demanded that Transport Minister Seri Kong Cho Ha find a solution to the container congestion at the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), the Shipping Gazette reports.&nbsp;Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng called on Mr Kong to "intervene and appoint expert advisers" to the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) to examine the problem. But the port authority disagreed. "The congestion is caused by the increase of containers at the terminal - 27.3 per cent more for the first half of 2010 compared with the same period last year," said PPC chairman Tan Cheng Liang. But the Association of Malaysian Hauliers (AMH) northern region chairman R Amaiappan advised customers in the northern region to send their export container cargo to Port Klang so that PPSB can resolve the congestion problem at the NBCT whose yards he said were 85 per cent full most of the time. "Expert assistance from outside should be sought if PPC and PPSB are unable to resolve the container cargo congestion problems swiftly," said Mr Lim. Last month, it was reported that 20 container haulage companies in the northern region were losing about MYR18 million (US$5.63 million) a month in "opportunity losses" because of the smaller window to deliver container cargo for export. Mr Lim claimed the congestion stems from the port's inability to comply with standard operating guidelines that the other ports in the country follow, resulting in logistics services not being up to standard. "Too much money has been invested to continue ignoring the problem," he said, adding that experts such as former PPC chairman Syed Aidid Murtaza could help resolve the congestion problem. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74257/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74257/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Port Manatee awards berth 12 dredging bid]]></title>
        <pubDate>28.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The Manatee County Port Authority announced that Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. has been awarded the contract for Port Manatee’s Berth 12 dredging project.The project, which includes dredging the berth to a depth of 41 feet at mean-low-water and extending it from 1,000 feet to nearly 1,600 feet, is the final piece of Port Manatee’s 11-year, $200 million port expansion project.Great Lakes’ $14.8 million bid was accepted just two months after initial bids were rejected by the port authority for exceeding the engineer’s estimate for the cost of the project. The re-bid process resulted in a $2.3 million savings for the port – 14 percent less than the original bid. The winning proposal includes the base bid and bid alternate, representing 1.1 million cubic yards of excavation and removal by hydraulic dredge to a certified uplands spoil disposal site.“Port staff’s many years in dealing with dredging issues made us confident that a more favorable outcome was probable by re-bidding the project,” said David L. McDonald PPM®, Port Manatee’s executive director. “The savings provided by the lower bid creates a more certain timeline for the project’s completion.”Port Manatee’s new Berth 12 is expected to accommodate containerized shipping and be operational by early-2011. The berth sits adjacent to the port’s planned 52-acre container terminal – designed to attract new containerized shipping traffic.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74246/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74246/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ UAE Ambassador and DP World CEO inspect work to deepen River Thames at London Gateway]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The UAE Ambassador to the UK and the CEO of DP World have visited the London Gateway port development to inspect dredging work being carried out on the UK’s first deep sea port in over 20 years.&nbsp;Over 3 million cubic metres of dredging has now been completed for the new port that will bring the world’s largest container ships to within 25 miles of central London. Work continues 24 hours a day seven days a week at the site in Thurrock, Essex. Visitors can now walk 200 metres out onto new land that has been created from the beneficial reuse of the dredged material.&nbsp;His Excellency Abdul Rahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwe'e, UAE Ambassador to the UK, said: “I am very pleased to visit London Gateway, which is the UK’s largest jobs creation project today. This project is one of the largest investments into the UK by the UAE and I look forward to DP World delivering an exemplary world class infrastructure asset.”&nbsp;DP World’s CEO Mohammed Sharaf said: “The works are progressing very well and we are meeting with our global customers and potential park tenants to discuss London Gateway.&nbsp;He continued, “London Gateway will be one of the most advanced container terminals in the world connected to one of Europe’s largest logistics parks and together, with the outstanding location to the hinterland markets, we believe our customers will benefit from significant efficiency savings within their supply chains.”&nbsp;Dredging is a key element in DP World’s investment at London Gateway. Work will continue until nearly 30 million cubic metres has been completed. London Gateway will provide 3.5 million TEU capacity for the UK when fully operational.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74227/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74227/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Ports show signs of a mixed recovery]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ US northwest Pacific ports are showing signs of a mixed recovery, with the most northerly Port of Seattle seeing its June liftings swell 49 per cent to 190,000 TEU, driven by a 93 per cent jump in loaded imports. Export growth was at 10 per cent, while domestic traffic fell by 3.5 per cent, reports London's Containerisation International. Container throughput in the first six months of the year rose by 45 per cent compare to the first half of 2009 to one million TEU, with imports up by 67 per cent. Its Puget Sound neighbour, the Port of Tacoma, saw its June throughput shrink 3.4 per cent to 147,000 TEU, albeit an improvement on the double-digit declines of earlier months. Tacoma year-to-date liftings decreased 12 per cent to 704,000 TEU and this follows two years of contraction in which 2008 traffic declined three per cent and last year's throughput fell 17 per cent to 1.5 million TEU. Domestic volumes, however, were up five per cent in the six months to June, but international traffic is suffering with exports declining by up to 29 per cent, the report said. "To some extent the port has suffered from carriers consolidating port calls and terminal operations to nearby Seattle. For instance, Maersk Line exited sister company AMP Terminal's Tacoma facility in favour of CMA CGM's Seattle dock last year, while Japanese carrier NYK withdrew from a new terminal deal altogether," it said. In the first six months of the year the small Port of Portland reported a 4.8 per cent decrease in volumes compared to the same period last year at 85,000 TEU "but prospects are looking up following May's signing of a new lease agreement with International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) of the Philippines to operate the port's only box terminal," the report added. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74215/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74215/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Ningbo volume up 38.6pc ]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ East China's Ningbo port registered a 27.7 per cent increase in throughput to 159 million tonnes and a 38.6 per cent growth in container volume to 6.38 million TEU, hitting a record high and ranking the first nationwide, reports Xinhua. The outstanding growth is attributed to the recovery of global economy, foreign trade's rebound and China's domestic economic boom, says a statement from the port authority. The port has newly opened and resumed 19 services in the first half years, adding its total number of liner service to 225. The port's average liner voyage has been over 1,100 trips since the second quarter, especially the record high of 1,292 trips in May. Its vessel voyage numbers grew 23.3 per cent to 6,505 trips in the first half years. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74213/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74213/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Qingdao volume up 11.5pc ]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Qingdao, China's second largest foreign trading port, saw an 8.7 per cent increase year on year in throughput to 170.48 million tonnes in the first half year, reports Xinhua. Foreign trade cargo throughput grew 21 per cent to hit 128.87 million tonnes in the first half of the year, while container throughput increased 11.5 per cent to 5.66 million TEU. The port's authority said it attributed the increased cargo throughput to a series of technological innovations and a low-carbon drive. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74212/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74212/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ MOL makes first Halifax call on Far East-east coast ]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ The first MOL vessel ever to call at Halifax, the 6,530-TEU MOL Paramount, docked at the east coast Canadian port on the SVE all-water service via Suez from Asia. "The MOL Paramount is the largest container vessel to dock in Halifax and at the Halterm Terminal, and is also the first MOL vessel to call at Halifax. The introduction of the new service enables MOL to offer direct connections and the shortest transit times from Vietnam, South China, Singapore to Halifax," said a company statement. The SVE service is, jointly operated with "K" Line. it is an average 5,500-TEU, nine ship loop with "K" Line providing seven ships and MOL providing two. The service has a rotation of Cai Mep, Shenzhen-Shekou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen-Yantian, Singapore, Halifax, New York, Norfolk, Jacksonville, Savannah, Singapore and Cai Mep. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74211/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74211/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Dubai World presented its restructuring proposal before its lenders]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Financially troubled Dubai World, the parent of otherwise prosperous terminal operator DP World, has announced it has presented its restructuring proposal before its lenders, after it won the agreement in principle from the Coordinating Committee of creditor banks (CoCom) and the Government of Dubai. The meeting with the larger lenders group follows the Dubai World's announcement on May 20 that it had agreed in principle the CoCom on board terms, which accounted for 60 per cent of creditor banks by value. "Creditor banks will now have the opportunity to review the information provided before responding to the proposal. The company expects to complete the restructuring over the coming months, said a Dubai World statement. DP World failed to make its planned debut on the London Stock Exchange after it missed its end-of-June listing deadline. In January, the company announced it would launch the dual listing alongside its existing presence on the Nasdaq Dubai exchange. The delay was blamed on the lack of an "acceptable system that supports the dual listing", reported Paris-based Alphaliner. Next chance for a London listing would be after its annual report in March 2011. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74209/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74209/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Rail cargo volumes back to the record levels of 2008 ]]></title>
        <pubDate>27.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Despite the economic crisis, the port railway has proven a reliable performer in the port of Hamburg. The good connections into the southern, eastern and south-eastern European hinterland ensured that in the first six months of this year, rail freight handling volumes were on track to reach the record levels of 2008. Axel Gedaschko, Minister for Economic and Labour Affairs of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg: “Hamburg’s hinterland rail connections are the best in Europe, they are reliable and well structured. The railway is an environmentally friendly mode of transport to move seaborne cargo into the European inland, and ship owners appreciate that. The port railway made optimum use of the funds from the federal stimulus package. The projects submitted for approval have been implemented fast and efficiently. EUR 16 million have already been called off and used for construction purposes - investments that benefit the entire German economy. About 14 per cent of all rail freight transports in Germany start or end in the port of Hamburg.”“Even in the crisis year of 2009, we managed to increase our share of transport volumes not only within the port of Hamburg, but compared with the other North Range ports too,” so Jens Meier, managing director of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA). In 2008, the port railway moved 1.8 million standard containers (TEU) through Hamburg, whereby the total number of containers put through the port stood at 9.7 million TEU. Even during the crisis year, the percentage of rail cargo in Hamburg increased compared with truck, feeder and inland barge transports. Of 7.1 million TEU, roughly 1.6 million TEU were carried by rail. The economic upturn this year fully benefits the port railway. Even though the total volumes handled in the port of Hamburg will not quite reach 2008 levels, the port railway is on the way to repeat the success of the record year. “The impact of our investments can be felt. In the past two years, we eliminated the bottlenecks,” says Meier.Since 2008, the Hamburg Port Authority has invested EUR 64 million in maintaining and optimising the facilities – from tracks and switches to modern IT control systems. Simultaneously, port rail yards were expanded and a charging system was introduced that rewards cost-efficient and optimised performance of the railway. Of the 77 train operating companies (EVU) using the port of Hamburg today, those that process their trains fast pay lower fees than EVUs that block important access tracks. At the same time, the new system promotes the formation of longer trains that transport more cargo per each trip from or to the hinterland, which benefits the environment. The system has been operating successfully, which is evident in better wagon and train utilisation rates. Not only did the share of different modes of transports from and to the port of Hamburg – the so-called modal split - develop in favour of the railway, but Hamburg was also able to gain rail freight market share within the North Range ports and increase its lead as Europe’s largest rail port.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74202/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74202/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ Harwich International Port welcomes support vessel]]></title>
        <pubDate>26.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ Harwich International Port has welcomed the arrival of the vessel Wind Solution on its maiden call into the port.&nbsp;The vessel acts as a floating hotel and is operating in support of the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm, part of Round Two of the Government's Offshore Wind Energy programme.&nbsp;As well as providing first class accommodation and dining, the vessel has a movie lounge, fitness hall and a game zone, where offshore workers can relax and unwind. A considerable amount of time had been takentransferring workers from shore-based accommodation to the offshore site. Using this vessel, and locating it at the installation site, will make the whole process of transferring and accommodating these key workers much more efficient.David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports which owns Harwich International, commented:&nbsp;"We are pleased to welcome the Wind Solution as part of the Greater Gabbard project. Harwich International is building a reputation with the renewables industry for convenient location, facilities and expertise, and we are proud to continue the good work. As well as contributing to the current Round 2 projects, Harwich is ideally located for a number of the even larger Round 3 schemes, and we look forward to increasing our involvement in this important sector."The Wind Solution has a gross tonnage of 8893 tonnes and length of 122 metres and is expected to make frequent calls to Harwich International in the coming months.&nbsp;It is hoped that the offshore wind industry could, eventually, contribute as much as 40GW to UK electricity generation capacity, which would amount to more than one third of UK electricity consumption.]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74182/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74182/</guid> 
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        <title><![CDATA[ China&#39;s port box volumes up 7.3 ]]></title>
        <pubDate>26.07</pubDate>
        <description><![CDATA[ China's major ports experienced a steady growth in throughput in the first half of this year, reports Xinhua. Ports in east Shandong province handled 420 million tonnes in the first half, moving 7.14 million TEU with a 10.4 per cent increase year on year. Shandong throughput has recovered to exceed the level before the global crisis last year. Qingdao's container volume grew 11.5 per cent to 5.66 million TEU. China's largest port of Shanghai posted a record high in container throughput to 13.9 million TEU, up 18.8 per cent. Its Tianjin port handled 198 million tonnes of cargo with a 7.3 per cent increase while moving 4.7 million TEU, up 13 per cent. And other main ports like Guangzhou and Ningbo also both registered a growth over 10 per cent in throughput. ]]></description>        <link>http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74177/</link>        <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.transportweekly.com/pages/en/news/articles/74177/</guid> 
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