September / October 2016 |
Ports |
BULKDISTRIBUTOR |
19 |
New voice for bulk trade sector
new trade association has been established to provide
A the world ’ s bulk terminals with a united front at governmental level in order to ensure the sector can better face the environmental and commercial challenges ahead . The Association of Bulk Terminal Operators ( ABTO ) seeks to provide a voice for bulk terminal operators at a national and international level , providing a forum for its members to discuss the issues impacting seaborne trade and the global transportation of bulk commodities .
Chief Executive Ian Adams said : “ The Association of Bulk Terminal Operators was born out of an under representation of the sector at national government and international regulatory level . We hope to facilitate and encourage the free and frank exchange of opinion to enable the dry bulk sector to present a united front in all discussions with governments , shippers , shipowners and operators . Unity is the only way to promote and protect the interests of the world ’ s bulk terminal operators .” Speaking as the ABTO website went live , Adams outlined the structure of the organisation : “ The ABTO Secretariat will be guided by a Members Advisory Panel ( MAP ) on the current and relevant issues influencing the technical , commercial , environmental and market conditions affecting bulk terminal operations and the transportation of commodities .” All ABTO administrative and management functions are provided by Maritime Association Management Company ( Maritime AMC Limited ), which was formed by four senior members of the maritime community , all of whom have extensive knowledge of the industry and expertise in areas as diverse as marketing , events management and publishing . “ This structure recognises that in these modern times trade association members do not have the time to devote hours or even days to raise issues at a higher level or to influence decision making . We hope to cooperate more fully with all industry organisations , including those representing ship owners / operators , specialist terminal operators and other groups with an interest in the bulk trades to ensure that our members ’ voices are heard at national and inter-governmental level ,” said Adams , Membership to ABTO is open to bulk terminal operators , suppliers of equipment and services to those terminals and relevant associations .
Australia ’ s busiest container port leased for $ 7.3 billion
Konecrane lands fresh deal
Finland ’ s Konecranes has confirmed a deal to deliver six more rubbertyred gantry ( RTG ) cranes to one of Spain ’ s largest container terminals , Valencia . The order will be Konecranes ’ fifth RTG delivery to Noatum Container Terminal Valencia . When the six RTGs on order go into operation , Noatum will operate a fleet of 27 Konecranes RTGs . The order was received in June 2016 and the cranes will be delivered in spring 2017 . Noatum Container Terminal Valencia is the main gateway for the Iberian Peninsula and the natural port of Madrid . The main global container shipping lines call at the terminal in Valencia . These services are complemented by feeder connections to other regions . Gustavo Ferrer , Terminal Manager of Noatum , commented : “ I have been working with Konecranes for years and we have a good relationship . The cranes are reliable and high-performing .” The RTGs on order will have a lifting capacity of 40 tons while stacking 1-over-5 containers high and six plus truck lane wide .
An Australian-led consortium with Chinese investment has won a 50-year lease on the Port of Melbourne in a deal giving the Government billions to improve the nation ’ s infrastructure and creating thousands of jobs . The Port of Melbourne , which deals with more than 3,000 ships annually , was snapped up by the Lonsdale Consortium , which includes Australia ’ s sovereign wealth fund - the Queensland Investment Corporation ( QIC ) - and multinational firm Global Infrastructure Partners ( GIP ). The long-term lease was sold for Aus $ 9.7 billion ( US $ 7.3 billion , 6.5 billion euros ) and was the latest in a series of port privatisations in the country recently . Tim Pallas , treasurer in the state of Victoria , signed the contracts in September , saying the lease fetched a higher price than originally expected . According to reports , GIP was acting partly on behalf of China ’ s sovereign wealth fund CIC Capital , which had reportedly secured 20 percent of the port . A source close to the consortium confirmed to the news agency AFP that CIC Capital was represented by GIP but would not reveal the size of its investment . Chinese interests buying up crucial infrastructure has met with criticism in Australia after a 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin was sold to China ’ s Landbridge Group at the beginning of 2016 .
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