JAXPORT Adds an Additional 700 Feet of Newly Reconstructed Berthing Space

Jan. 25, 2021 - Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) contractors have completed the latest phase in a total of $104 million in berth enhancements at the existing SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal at Blount Island, adding an additional 700 linear feet of newly rebuilt deepwater berthing space.

The final phase of the project, another 700 linear feet, is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2021.

The SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal is a public-private partnership between JAXPORT and SSA Atlantic. Upon completion of the berth enhancements later this year, the facility will feature two newly reconstructed 1,200-foot-long container berths capable of simultaneously accommodating two post-Panamax vessels. The berths are electrified to handle a total of six state-of-the-art environmentally friendly electric-powered 100-gauge container cranes, including three currently in use.

Phased yard improvements are underway to enable SSA Jacksonville Container Terminal to accommodate up to 700,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually.

“From berth enhancements that will support more environmentally-friendly cranes to terminal improvements and a deeper harbor, 2021 will be a year of significant progress for many of our major growth projects,” said JAXPORT CEO Eric Green. “These projects all work together to maximize Jacksonville’s logistics advantages for our customers and bring more jobs and business to Northeast Florida.”

The federal project to deepen the Jacksonville shipping channel to a depth of 47 from its current depth of 40 feet is fully funded through Blount Island, with anticipated completion in 2022, three years ahead of its original schedule. A vessel turning basin that will allow larger vessels to turn at Blount Island berths is on track to be completed by the end of 2021.

JAXPORT is Florida’s largest container port and one of the nation’s top vehicle-handling ports. Dozens of ocean carriers call at JAXPORT, offering competitive transit times to 140 ports in more than 70 countries. To learn more, visit: www.jaxport.com

SOURCE: JAXPORT

Western Group President Brad Eshleman to Retire; W.D. “Bill” Mooney Named Successor

Jan. 19, 2021 - Western Group’s president Brad Eshleman announced that he will retire effective February 28, 2021, and that W.D. (Bill) Mooney will succeed him.

Eshleman has been with Western for over 35 years and has served as President, Western Group and President, Western Stevedoring Company Limited since February 1, 2011. He will continue on in an advisory role to the Board and President through 2021.

“I feel very fortunate to have been part of growing and diversifying Western Stevedoring,” Eshleman said. “Western has grown into one of the largest and most diversified marine logistics companies in B.C. in partnership with our customers and stakeholders."

Mooney has held numerous senior executive positions with several global agricultural companies throughout his career with a focus on building teams and growing organizations within those supply chains. He was instrumental in the formation of G3 Global Grain Group, and he led the construction of the G3 Vancouver Grain Terminal. Mooney brings a unique skill set to lead the Western Group: driving organizational development, empowering people, and delivering on mission critical issues within complex business environments, all of which will contribute to the future success of the Western Group.

Mooney will join Western Group as President on March 1, 2021.

Note: Western Stevedoring on Jan. 7 announced a rebranding of its corporate entity as “Western Group.” The Group’s operating divisions include: Western Stevedoring Company Limited, Coast2000 Terminals Ltd., and Tidal Transport Ltd. (joint venture partner with Western).

Western Stevedoring is a diversified stevedoring, terminal and logistics company with operations throughout British Columbia since 1948. To learn more, visit: www.westeve.com.

SOURCE: Western Stevedoring

Euroports Commissions Mantsinen 200 Hydraulic Harbour Crane at the Port of Pietarsaari

Jan. 12, 2021 - In mid-December, Euroports commissioned its new Mantsinen 200 hydraulic harbour crane at the Port of Pietarsaari. The major export port mainly handles pulp, sawn timber, coal, and industrial raw materials.

The new crane is a nearly 2 million euro investment.

With the new crane, Euroports will be able to load and unload ships and increase performance figures in all cargo types.

“In terms of production efficiency, we are talking about an increase of more than 10%, as the loading capacity will increase by at least 25%,” says Operations Director Pauli Rautiainen.

The crawler crane is equipped with long booms and a high undercarriage and was assembled in the port area in the second week of December. It was commissioned for production use in week 51.

In practice, the increase in loading capacity means that with the new crane, Euroports will be able to handle four packages of sawn goods at once instead of the current three. Similarly, the four packages of pulp that Euroports can handle now will become six.

The Mantsinen 200 was equipped with a variety of accessories to suit all cargo needs, Euroports noted.

Euroports explained that the crane is used to handle bulk and general cargo, and therefore acquired a fully automated six-unit lifting device for handling pulp, a four-unit lifting device for handling sawn goods, and buckets for handling bulk and pulpwood.

The nearly two-million-euro crane investment is important for Euroports Pietarsaari’s operations. With the new crane, the port will also be able to meet the needs of larger ships calling at the port.

“Our turnover is approximately 7 million euros, so this is a major investment that will take our operations forward. The investment reflects the Group’s confidence in the current and future profitability of the Pietarsaari unit,” says Rautiainen.

Euroports said that it has received a lot of positive feedback from customers about this investment. The crane is equipped with a HybriLift system, which delivers financial savings and reduces emissions. Rautiainen emphasises that environmental friendliness is an important aspect of the port operator’s day-to-day operations.

The device charges its pressure accumulators whenever the boom is lowered, which helps reduce the load on the engine. Compared to traditional models, Euroports aims to decrease energy consumption by up to 35%.

Euroports is one of the largest port-infrastructure companies in Europe. Each year Euroports handles more than 60 million tons of liquid, bulk, breakbulk and containerised goods. The company develops, operates and manages global maritime supply chain solutions for international customers in specific industry sectors. To learn more, visit: www.euroports.com.

Port of Gothenburg Utilizes Dredging Spoils in Construction of New Terminal

180,000 cubic meters of dredged material are currently being reused as filling material in the construction of the Port of Gothenburg's next major investment. When the masses have been stabilized and solidified and further surface work have been completed, 140,000 square meters of new, long-awaited terminal space, will be available in the Port of Gothenburg

Dec. 15, 2020 - The largest port expansion in Gothenburg since the 1970s is underway at the Port of Gothenburg. The terminal will be 140,000 square meters in size (equivalent to approximately 20 football pitches) and will be directly adjacent to other major terminals at the port.

“The terminal is a crucial aspect of the port's long-term expansion plans and will further strengthen Gothenburg as the Nordic logistics capital. By almost exclusively using recycled material in the project, we are also able to expand with environmental consideration” said Joakim Grenmarker, Project Manager at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

Construction of the new terminal at the Port of Gothenburg got under way in autumn 2018. Since then, 1,500 piles have been sinked into the bedrock, and the Arendal bay has been embanked with blasting stones from an adjacent hill.

The embanked bay will constitute the coming terminal area. But first, the embanked bay will be filled with about 180,000 cubic meters of contaminated dredging spoils, and that work is currently underway.

When the material fills the basin, water is forced out and needs to be purified and checked before it is returned to the sea.

“This is done by adding carbon dioxide to the water from the backfill basin, which lowers the PH value so that pollutants can precipitate. The water is then pumped on to a sedimentation basin and on to a sand and active carbon filter. We examine and send water for analysis once a week to ensure that the water is ready to be pumped into the sea,” said Kristina Bernstén, Environmental Engineer at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

The terminal is expected to be completed by 2023, although certain sections might be brought into use before then.