"Super-post-Panamax" cranes arrive at port of Miami

Two "super-Post-Panamax" container cranes capable of working ships that are 22-container-wide will arrive at the port of Miami next week. They have an outreach of 213 feet.

   "The two new cranes will enhance our capabilities to service the next generation of cargo vessels," said Charles A. Towsley, port of Miami director.

   Post-Panamax ships are vessels that are 14-container-wide or wider. The terminology "super-post-Panamax" tends to describe the latest giant containerships in operation or on order, with 17 or more containers across their breadth.

   The new cranes in Miami are among the biggest "super-post-Panamax" machinery to be delivered to the western hemisphere, the port said.

   The container cranes were manufactured by Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. in Shanghai. Upon arrival at the port of Miami, the cranes will be unloaded, setup, tested, and upon Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification will begin working.

Source: American Shipper Shippers' NewsWire

Maritimeglobal.net

Port terminal demand “to double by 2015”

THE container port business has expanded by more than 10% annually over the past 15 years and, fuelled by the globalisation of the world economy, this process is set to continue according to UK-based Ocean Shipping Consultants (OSC).

A new OSC study, Marketing of Container Terminals, says that even its “cautious” forecasts indicate that port demand will at least double to 2015, with around 650m TEU handled in the world’s ports by then.

OSC says: “This process places great strains not simply on the provision of new and better container terminals, but also underlines the importance of maximised returns on these massive investments.”

Depending on economic conditions, world container port demand is forecast to increase by 60 per cent to 495m TEU in 2010 and by a further 32 per cent 647m TEU in 2015.

Total East Asian container port demand is expected to continue expanding at an above-average rate, with 63 per cent growth predicted over 2003-10 to 240m TEU.

In the Americas, growth of 55 per cent is forecast over the same period to 91m TEU in 2010, with Latin America and the Caribbean continuing to generate above-average expansion.

In Europe and the Mediterranean, a 45 per cent rise is anticipated to 106m TEU in 2010. Both the North Europe and South Europe/Mediterranean regions will experience similar growth rates, with the Baltic markets continuing to generate above-average growth and transhipment demand in North Europe growing strongly.

In other markets sustained growth is also forecast, with the Middle East and Indian subcontinent generating the most rapid expansion.

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Wisconsin purchases CN line to preserve rail service
Therailforum.com

A 37-mile line slated for abandonment in Wisconsin won't be mothballed after all. Last week, the state of Wisconsin purchased the Saukville-to-Kiel line from Canadian National Railway Co. for $1.9 million. Wisconsin and Southern Railroad Co. (WSOR) — which opposed CN's abandonment plans — will operate the line.

In June 2004, CN filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board to abandon the line. The board approved the application in October.

However, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) held several public meetings at which numerous business owners and elected officials from municipalities along the track expressed concerns about losing the line. WisDOT also conducted an economic impact study that showed seven shippers using the line provide 145 jobs with an estimated payroll of $5.8 million.

"Preservation of this rail corridor is important to the continued economic growth of businesses and communities throughout the Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Manitowoc county regions," said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle in a prepared statement.

To purchase the line, the state used funds from WisDOT's Freight Railroad Preservation Program, which enables the state to buy abandoned or slated-for-abandonment lines to preserve rail service. WSOR and several shippers along the line provided some funds toward the purchase.