New lightering dock for Amsterdam
Port of Amsterdam aims to improve coal transshipment facilities
Amsterdam, Europe’s fourth largest sea port, stands out as an energy port. Europe and countries in other parts of the world have a great thirst for energy. The Port of Amsterdam is a leader in delivering the raw materials to satisfy this need. Much of it is fossil energy from oil products and coal, which accounts for 70% of the total transshipments in the port of Amsterdam. A small portion of this is used to generate energy for the city of Amsterdam; the majority is for the European and world markets.
 
 
 
COAL
During the past few years, Amsterdam has grown to become one of the world’s foremost ports for coal. It is the second largest coal transshipment port in Europe, handling 20mt (million tonnes) of coal in 2011. Coal represents almost 50% of the feedstock for the electricity market in north-west Europe.
Over the next 20 years, coal transport is expected to increase due to: a continuing need for energy, rising imports of coal by Europe due to mine closures in Germany, England and (in the future) Poland and the Czech Republic, the intended construction of new, cleaner coal-fired power stations in
Germany and the Netherlands, the proposed phase out of nuclear energy in Germany. For Amsterdam, this will mean an increase in transshipments from 14.7mt in 2007 to an expected 24mt of coal in 2020. By investing in intensive space utilization, the increasing volumes of coal can be housed at existing locations, without the need for additional physical space.
 
AVERIJHAVEN
The Port of Amsterdam continues to invest in facilities for the growing transshipment of coal. One example is an extra lightering dock outside the sea locks in IJmuiden. The construction of Amsterdam Seaport’s new large sea locks (expected realization in 2016) will result in excavating the ‘Averijhaven’ dock, which was closed several years ago. The Port of Amsterdam’s desired zoning plan for the regained dock is an extra coal lightering facility that can accommodate two Capesize vessels.
 
NECESSARY MEASURE
The maximum draught outside the sea locks in IJmuiden is 17.8 metres. However, due to two tunnels under the North Sea Canal, the draft of Port of Amsterdam’s entrance channel is 13.75 metres. Most bulk carriers’ draughts exceed the canal’s limit, resulting in necessary lightering outside the sea locks. Coal is transshipped into inland barges and tug-pushed lighters. After lightering the bulk carriers can proceed on their voyage to the hinterland.
Currently there is just one lightering facility available outside the sea locks in IJmuiden. With the expected increase of coal flows, the Port of Amsterdam will dedicate itself for the development of the Averijhaven.
 
PLANNING
The development of the Averijhaven is a collaboration between the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works, Province of North- Holland, Municipality of IJmuiden and Port of Amsterdam. Expectations are that the first draft of the zoning plan will be presented mid 2012 and that finalization of the plan will take place in January 2013.


 
 
Coal operation at Port of Leith
The Port of Leith, Scotland’s largest enclosed deepwater port on the Firth of Forth, is part of Forth Ports, which owns and operates eight commercial ports in the UK — Tilbury on the Thames, Dundee on the Firth of Tay and six on the Firth of Forth — Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy.
With 169 hectares — 107 operational land and 62 hectares of water area — and the capability to handle ships up to 50,000dwt, Leith is home to a large coal operation and is the main coal facility on the east coast of Scotland. The port is ideally suited for complex cargo handling and specialist work including coal as the port is impounded therefore ensuring bulk handling operations are more straightforward.
Leith’s coal operation allows vessels of up to 50,000dwt to arrive in Leith via the lock gates, allowing a maximum vessel size of 210 x 30.5m and a draught of 9.15m. Cargo handling is via the port’s 3 x 25 tonne grab cranes with the main coal storage yard being strategically located next to the main rail head which gives direct access to the east coast main line allowing fast onward transport throughout Scotland or south into England. Vessels can be worked 24 hours a day until unloading is completed while at the same time, the two rail sidings which can be worked simultaneously to ensure a fast onward operation.
Significant capital investment has been made in the development of Leith’s infrastructure to ensure that the highest level of service is provided to customers. The coal operation has the capacity to handle up to 1.5mt (million tonnes) of coal each year with the coal predominantly shipped in from Russia, however the port does handle some Scottish produced coal which is then blended with the Russian coal for onward
movement by rail to England. Historically the Port of Leith has worked very closely with Scottish Power, but at this moment Leith’s main customer is Scottish Coal which supplies over 4mt of coal to the UK's major power generators each year.
 
FACILITIES AT THE PORT OF LEITH
Leith has 107 hectares of land and 62 hectares of water area.There are 11 berths, with the largest being 1,396 metres in length and a depth of 9.15 metres. Craneage facilities include 2 gantry cranes; 3 x 15-tonne grab cranes; four Sennebogens and one harbour crane. The lock entrance is 259 metres long, 31.6 metres wide with a depth of 9.75 metres. Leith offers 24-hour mooring and pilotage service. Leith is well connected by rail and offers intermodal capability as well as open storage, undercover storage sheds and dry dock facilities.
 
 
 
Port of Quebec enjoys a highly successful year
The Port of Quebec is the main inland port on the St. Lawrence River for the transshipment of bulk commodities, with almost 29mt (million metric tonnes) of merchandise handled in 2011. It is a major hub for the export of US coal to Europe and Asia, offering an annual coal transshipment capacity of 5mt.
The port offers the most efficient and multi-purpose bulk terminals linking the Great Lakes and Midwest market and overseas markets. It is the closest deep water port (15 metres of water at low tide) to the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes market. It has more than 80 hectares of land for bulk terminals with 4 wharves with a total length of 1.1km (Beauport sector). The Port of Quebec has the capacity to accommodate capesize vessels, and offers year-round access. It has an efficient railway connection and boasts the shortest and fastest connection to various European markets.
The Quebec Port Authority has concluded partnerships with many terminal operators specializing in the handling and storage of dry bulk, liquid bulk and general cargo.
 
UNPRECEDENTED HEIGHTS AT THE PORT OF QUEBEC
The Quebec Port Authority (QPA) has performed the annual evaluation of its different activities on the dawn of the new year. The QPA has logged in record tonnage with close to 29mt of merchandise handled.
“This is an exceptional performance for the Port of Quebec. No fewer than four terminals located on the QPA’s territory have had a record year. St. Lawrence Stevedoring, IMTT-Quebec Inc., Be´ton Provincial and Ultramar have all enjoyed an unprecedented year. For the others, this is in most cases their second best year since the millennium began. In short, everyone contributed to this success,” says Mario Girard, president and CEO of the Quebec Port Authority. When compared to last year, these results correspond to a growth of over 18% of the tonnage handled, one of the best percentages of the kind in the
country in 2011/2012. Based on the data currently posted by other Canadian port authorities, this growth puts the Port of Quebec in first position on the St. Lawrence River for tonnage handled in 2011.
The versatility of the Port of Quebec’s terminals, as well as the great diversity of products handled constitutes one of the main strengths favouring the development of harbour activities. The important role played by the Port of Quebec in merchandise being transshipped to or from the Great Lakes will continue to represent a large potential for opportunities in the years to come. In addition, the Port of Quebec is also well- positioned to serve several of the mining projects such as those deriving from the Plan Nord. “The perspectives for the future are very interesting for the Port of Quebec. We have every reason to believe that we will remain a hub in the transshipment of liquid and dry bulk for Eastern and Central Canada.
Just like in the past years, the Port of Quebec has also contributed to major crowd-gathering events such as the Cavalia show and the Image Mill. These activities, along with the recreational and touristic infrastructures present on the port’s territory such as parks, bike trails, beach and so on, make the Port of Quebec a major partner for Quebec City in the maintenance and improvement of its citizens’ quality of life. “The Port of Quebec is not just a transshipment location. It is also a privileged space that provides the population with continued, exceptional access to the St. Lawrence’s shores. The harmony between these two realities is a goal that is constantly with us and inspires us,” explained the CEO of the QPA.
The QPA plans on continuing the work started in 2011 in order to continue to take advantage of the business opportunities that will present themselves while working to improve and refurbish certain facilities. “In total, close to $50 million will be invested in different projects at the Port of Quebec this year. These investments will come from private partnerships that we have established with certain of our partners and operators. From a financial point of view, this is probably the largest series of investments related to harbour assets since the construction of the Beauport sector in the sixties,” concluded Girard. The Port of Quebec is currently working to realize middle and short term infrastructures projects, in co-operation with its partners and operators as well as the different levels of government.
The Quebec Port Authority is an autonomous federal agency constituted according to the Canada Marine Act. According to a 2007 SECOR study, the activities of the maritime and harbour sectors of the Quebec maritime industry represent annual economic benefits of approximately $800 million for the country, tax revenues of close to $160 million for the different governments, as well as an essential contribution in supporting approximately 9,800 jobs.
 
Coal at the Port of Quebec
The Port of Quebec has the capacity to handle 5mt (million tonnes) of coal each year. In 2011, the port handled approximately 700,000 tonnes, a figure that will increase substantially this year. Coal customers include Global Coal, Glencore, Gunvor and Vitol, and discussions are ongoing with Alpha, Goldman Sachs and RWE, among others.
The Port of Quebec works with its terminal operator and partner St Lawrence Stevedoring to offer a high quality of service to its customers. St. Lawrence Stevedoring (SLS), a division of QSL, has been handling dry bulk for more than 100 years. It handles a diversity of cargoes, such as dry bulk, steel products, forest products, breakbulk and project cargoes, thereby contributing to the growth of the Canadian import and export markets.
The port offers a coal storage capacity of 350,000 on open-air paved storage pads. Coal is transferred to the storage sites by conveyor, stockpiled with stackers, reclaimed by stacker/reclaimer or front end loaders, and transferred by conveyor to either shiploaders or cranes. There are scales at various locations on the conveying system. In terms of explosion prevention systems, the port uses water/chemical sprays and/or stockpile compaction as necessary. To keep dust emissions to a minimum, the conveyor system is enclosed at strategic areas, and water trucks and mechanical sweepers are also available.
On the dockside, there are five gantry cranes, equipped with buckets of varying sizes to handle the vast array of commodities. These cranes are also capable of unloading and loading the coal. There is also a shiploader that is capable of loading Capesize vessels at a daily rate of 30,000 tonnes. The port can handle all vessel sizes, i.e. Handysize, Supramax, Panamax and Capesizes, up to maximum of 175,000dwt.
The port, together with St Lawrence Stevedoring, remains competitive by continually investing to improve handling capabilities. The port’s flexibility is also a huge advantage: it can load and unload vessels of up to 175,000dwt in a timely manner.
 
 
 
RBT – 700,000 tonne coal transshipment capacity in the port of Rotterdam
Since its foundation in 1999, Rotterdam Bulk Terminal (R.B.T.) B.V. has continued the terminal’s 100-year history of dry bulk operations, expanding the range of products handled to 53.
Developed in 1900 for coal and iron ore handling, in today’s coal world, the company faces new challenges. The major question is in which way the current infrastructure can match logistical flows of coal.
 
STORAGE
On a seven hectare territory, RBT has three open pits suitable for 120,000 tonnes of coal storage. Compactly developed, this offers exclusivity in handling; simply speaking, there is not much space for ten companies.
 
ACCEPTABLE VESSEL SIZE
A 11.35m (12m during high tide) and a quay length of 525m, allow Handysize vessels to berth, while a 42m over- the-water reach, makes it possible to execute ship-to-ship operations using only gantries. Certain Panamax class- vessels can also be accepted, after lightering outside the Vulcan harbour.
 
DESIGN OF THE TERMINAL
Two open pits are directly loaded and discharged with the help of 160m long gantry cranes, using every corner of the storage pits. In combination with mobile separation walls, such infrastructure allows simple blending, with the help of grabs for two to three different types of coal.
 
PERFORMANCE
In total, 3mt (million tonnes) of dry cargo can be transshipped via the terminal on a yearly basis. In the current business model, 700,000 tonnes of transshipment capacity can be used for coal. The daily discharge capacity of 15,000 tonnes can be expanded by bringing in floating cranes.
 
SERVICE RANGE
Traditionally RBT offers discharge, loading and storage services. But there are also new services provided for coal, such as screening, blending, crushing and compacting. Such services can be used by clients with yearly contracts for a minimum of 300,000 tonnes.
 
MODALITY
Located at the junction of water, road and rail ways, RBT serves both export and import flows. Needless to say, barges, coasters and larger vessels can be loaded at RBT. Next to that direct rail connection allows to load compact trains of 400m, serving
sometimes as an escape during low water season. The terminal has its own locomotive, which saves extra cost for the customer, while a weighbridge makes it possible to weigh wagons and trucks.
 
COMMERCIAL PHILOSOPHY
The company welcomes all storage durations, from short to long term, and attention is given to each and every detail. Whether it is 500 or 45,000 tonnes, RBT plans accordingly for this.
 
CONCLUSIONS
With energy coal increasingly traded in Panamax and Capesize vessels, RBT is aiming to focus its operations on the smaller parcels of coal, coke and anthracite delivered by Handysize vessels.
One of the few which is still licensed to transship and store coal, coke and anthracite in the port of Rotterdam, the terminal will gladly welcome new partners.

 
 
Coal handling at the Freeport of Riga
COAL THROUGHPUT IN 2011
With 13.5mt (million tonnes) of coal handled in 2011 the Freeport of Riga remains the leading coal port on the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea.
In comparison to 2010, the volume of coal increased by 17% last year. It should be noted that 2011 in general was a particularly successful year for Riga, since the cargo turnover exceeded records of previous years reaching 34.07mt — an increase of 11.8% over 2010.
Coal, which is exported from Russia through Riga to the Western markets, is the largest commodity in the port since 2002 and it amounts to 40% of total turnover. After a significant increase in 2008 and 2009, coal volumes slid down in 2010, but reaching the level of 2009 back again in 2011.
There are two main reasons influencing the coal volumes in 2011: 1) increasing demand and Russian export policy concerning energy resources; and 2) successful servicing of Panamax type vessels at the Freeport
of Riga, which became possible due to investments made by the port authority in the infrastructure during recent years — construction of deep-water berths, deepening of navigation channel, reconstruction of access roads and other infrastructure objects. This has made the Port of Riga even more competitive and convenient for owners of large ships.
In 2011, the total capacity of incoming vessels increased by 3.5% even though the total number of vessels serviced has decreased by 2.9%.
In August 2011, the biggest cargo ship ever serviced at the port entered Riga. The vessel, named Nord Pisces and flying the flag of Singapore was 249 metres long, 43 metres wide and with a draught of 15 metres. The ship was loaded with some 93,500 tonnes of coal bound for the Netherlands.
 
EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE OF COAL HANDLING STEVEDORING COMPANIES AT THE FREEPORT OF RIGA
Development of coal handling terminals in 2011 Coal cargo in the Freeport of Riga is handled by three stevedoring companies — Riga Central Terminal (RCT) Ltd., Strek Ltd. and LaCon Ltd. With more than 7.5mt of coal handled in 2011
RCT Ltd. is the leading coal terminal at the Freeport of Riga. RCT is a multifunctional terminal, specialized in the handling of various dry bulk cargo, general cargo, ro-ro (roll-on-roll-off) and other types of cargo. The terminal provides infrastructure for handling and processing of various transit cargo, and aims at developing a cargo portfolio beyond the traditional dry bulk cargo segment to include more value-added activities.
In 2011 servicing of Panamax vessels was successfully started by RCT, from which coal is now shipped not only to the Western European markets but also to Asia, South America and South Africa. With a co-financing by the European Regional Fund the RCT purchased its new ‘AIST’ new portal crane in 2011 to increase the efficiency of cargo handling. The new portal crane makes it possible to handle the mini Capesize vessels at the Freeport of Riga instead of only up to Panamax, which until then had been the largest vessels served at the port.
The second largest coal terminal, Strek Ltd., handled some 4.5mt of coal in 2011. Strek Ltd. is a dry bulk stevedoring company and more than 95% of its total turnover is made up of coal cargoes. To increase efficiency the company purchased new mobile terminal equipment and two new portal cranes in 2011. As the terminal is located in the direct vicinity of the city centre, the company is paying close attention to environmental protection and safety issues. In 2011, the terminal installed four snow canons to reduce air pollution during coal handling in the winter season.
The company LaCon Ltd. handled more than 1mt of coal in 2011.    LaCon Ltd. is a dry bulk handling company, however 100% of all the cargoes it handled in 2011 were coal.
 
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
To enhance coal handling efficiency and increase overall competitiveness of the port, as well as to develop port accessibility for larger-sized ships, two major infrastructure projects are being carried out by the port authority:
  1. development of infrastructure on the Krievu Sala island for the transfer of port activities from the city centre; and
  2. reconstruction of the navigation channel, comprising both deepening and widening works of the ship pass.
 
Development of infrastructure on the Krievu Sala island
The main objective of the project ‘Development of infrastructure on island Krievu for the transfer of port activities from the city centre’ is the transfer of dry bulk cargo terminals of Riga port from Andrejosta and Eksportosta regions that are located in the vicinity of the historical centre of the city of Riga. The intention is to relieve the city centre area from cargo handling operations and relevant negative impact on the environment, at the same time enhancing the competitiveness of the port and creating a business-friendly environment. The project is planned to implement with co-financing of EU Cohesion Fund.
The main activities planned in the framework of project implementation: y implement ground levelling activities to prepare for construction works (including land reclamation);
  • build hydro-structures — four berths by the River Daugava with total length of 1,180m;
  • build main engineering networks for installation of services — water, energy, sewerage lines, etc.; and
  • construction of road and rail infrastructure.
Andris Ameriks, the chairman of the board of the Freeport of Riga confirming the necessity of island Krievu infrastructure project points out,“Possibly the increase in coal in 2011 would have been bigger, as there is a great demand for coal in world markets. However, the attraction of any new cargoes is restricted by railway penetrability — the capacity of the railway within the port has been totally exploited. Similarly, areas for coal processing within the port are beginning to become insufficient. This situation once again confirms that the Krievu island project, in which the railway infrastructure will be improved and new cargo areas will be constructed, is vitally necessary to the Freeport of Riga.”
 
Reconstruction of navigation channel
On 5 July 2011, the Riga City Council accepted the project for the reconstruction of navigation channel in the Port of Riga. The decision was made because, regardless of the regular maintenance, the current width and depth of the channel has exhausted its capacities and could not completely ensure handling of Panamax ships any more. The planned activities envisage: first, deepening of the channel to 15 metres in the section from the reception buoy to the middle of the Kundzi??sala island, performing works from 2012 till 2014. From 2014 till 2018, if there is sufficient demand by the stevedoring companies, deepening of the channel to 17 metres in the section from the reception buoy up to the Ri¯nu¯z?i basin will follow.


Krishnapatnam Port: coal hub of India
Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. (KPCL) is a new-generation world-class port with outstanding services, facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure. It is situated on the east coast of India, 180km north of Chennai city in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. Its strategic location makes it a port of choice for international cargo originating from and destined for southern and central India. It has excellent connectivity and ideal to service a vast hinterland comprising Andhra Pradesh, eastern Karnataka, south eastern Maharashtra and northern Tamil Nadu.
This first private green field all-weather deep- sea port with round the clock operations has currently ten operational berths and a deep draught of 18 metres alongside the berths which is the deepest offered by any port in India. This depth enables it to handle Capesize vessels easily. The port also provides fastest turnaround time for all types of vessels, which is made possible by its 11 shore cranes with a discharge capacity of 750 to 1,000tph (metric tonnes per hour) per crane. Its single window clearance system provides end-to-end services from stevedoring to custom documentation enabling it to optimally use its massive back up area of 6,500 acres, which houses dedicated coal storage plots that are well connected with dedicated coal sidings.
The throughput of the port includes coking coal, met coke, petcoke and steam coal. Its integrated real time control of cargo handling through Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVLS) and Enterprise Port Management System (EPMS) enables it to handle all types of cargo apart from coal like barytes, edible oil, fertilizers, granite, gypsum, iron ore, palm kernel, quartz, raw sugar, rock phosphate, oversize and over dimensional cargo, agri cargo including maize and rice and containers making the port a class apart on the Indian east coast.
 
ACHIEVEMENTS
Though the port is in its initial years of operations, it is already setting various benchmarks. It has discharged 106,171 tonnes of steam coal in just 24 hours using the conventional unloading system in form of advanced mobile harbour cranes. This achievement is the first ever in the history of any port in India and possibly in the world. Its highest discharge rate of met coke in 24 hours is 14,029 tonnes and it recently loaded 3,960.38 tonnes of steam coal by conventional method in 59 wagons in just 30 minutes creating an internal record in operational management.
 
PORT DEVELOPMENTS
Krishnapatnam Port is in its second stage of growth process which involves construction of seven additional berths and mechanized cargo handling system like latest technology wagon tipplers, wagon loaders, stackers, reclaimers and ship unloaders. The port will also have 11 cargo-wise dedicated railway sidings inside the port bringing in best productivity and freight benefits to the importers and exporters. The port is poised to become the coal hub of India by handling nearly 80mt of coal, of which about 60mt of coal is required for 14,000MW power plant projects (including Reliance UMPP & APGENCO plants) that are coming up around Krishnapatnam Port.
Krishnapatnam Port’s final plan will have a handling capacity of 200mtpa (million metric tonnes per annum) with 42 berths. The total quay length will be 12.5m with a draught of 20 metres, capable of handling 200,000dwt Super Capesize vessels. It will have a mega container terminal, ro-ro terminal, liquid bulk terminal, world class bunkering, rig repairing and offshore facilities. It will play a catalytic role in bringing about an
industrial revolution in Andhra Pradesh, Eastern Karnataka & Northern Tamil Nadu by becoming the gateway for exports from and imports to SEZs, logistics parks, cement, steel and thermal power plants.
Krishnapatnam Port has just set sail and is already creating ripples in shipping circles around the world. This has only been possible due to its skill of building and operating the port in a very high standard, giving the utmost value to all its customers. Its belief in innovating, improving and adapting to the needs of its customers, is the success formula in making it one of India’s biggest multipurpose ports with an infrastructure and logistic setup of international calibre.
In time to come, Krishnapatnam Port hopes to be India’s largest port and drive the economic growth of its region.
 
 
 
Growth of the Colombian coal industry
Colombia has one of the largest reserves of coal in Latin America and is the world’s sixth largest coal exporter. Coal is the country’s third largest export after coffee and oil. In 2010 the nation’s coal and coke production was 63.8 million tonnes, mainly from the Cesar, Guajira Santanderes and Cundinamarca-Boyaca´ regions.
Colombian coal production has seen a significant growth over the past 20 years thanks to the incentives granted to major export projects carried out by foreign companies. The main export destinations for Colombian thermal coal are the United States and Europe — thus underlining the key status of Barranquilla as a coal exporting port.
The growth of this industry is evidenced by the average year-on-year increase of 15% in the coal volume handled by Sociedad Portuaria Regional Barranquilla. To illustrate, in 2010 this segment accounted for 17% of the cargo moved by SPRB.
In order to provide the best possible service, the port counts with a five-hectare area and offers a comprehensive range of facilities including a scale weighing service, unloading at the yard, internal handling, transportation and loading service. In addition, control of land services and inventory is offered for all kinds of granulated carbons: coke, metallurgical and thermal.
The SPRB, together with its sister company, Sociedad Portuaria Rio Grande, is planning to construct a specialized coal handling quay with a length of 120 metres and a draught of 12 metres. This quay is expected to be ready by early 2013. There are also plans to buy specialized uploading equipment for coal once the quay is in operation. This system will expand the daily uploading capacity to 7,000 tonnes of coke and 11,000 tonnes of thermal coke.
With all these new investments added to Colombia’s privileged position within the coal industry, Sociedad Portuaria Regional Barranquilla is more than ready to become Colombia’s reference point in coal export.
 
 
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (NQBP) — expansions at Hay Point & Abbot Point
One of Australia’s largest port authorities by throughput, North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (NQBP) is creating opportunities to allow for major port development at Australia’s fastest growing coal ports – Hay Point and Abbot Point.
 
DUDGEON POINT COAL TERMINAL PROJECT
NQBP together with preferred proponents, DBCT Management and the Adani Group Limited, are progressing with plans to develop two new coal terminals at Dudgeon Point. Dudgeon Point is located approximately 15km south of Mackay on the Queensland Coast and lies within the Port of Hay Point about four kilometres north of the existing coal terminals.
NQBP has held the land for a number of years having identified its potential to develop port infrastructure to meet the growing demand for coal exports from the Bowen Basin. In mid-2010, the government endorsed proposals from the preferred proponents for the development of new coal export infrastructure.
Since this time, NQBP has worked with DBCT Management and the Adani Group to develop a master plan for Hay Point which includes coal export facilities at Dudgeon Point. The proposed development includes two new coal terminals, each with a capacity of up to 90mtpa (million tonnes per annum), giving a combined site capacity of up to 180mtpa. The plan includes offshore wharf facilities for up to eight ship berths, with four berths for each terminal, and expansion of the Half Tide Tug Harbour to accommodate an additional ten tug berths to service the new terminals.
Master planning studies have determined that the existing departure path depth of 14.9 metres (relative to Lowest Astronomical Tide) will be adequate for a number of years and will require minor deepening (300mm) when shipping volumes significantly increase in the future. Extension of the departure path/apron by dredging will, however, be required to the area in front of the proposed new berths for the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminals.
Studies for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed project are proceeding as scheduled to complete a draft EIS in mid-2012. A number of baseline environmental studies and seagrass studies have already been carried out by NQBP to obtain data for input into the EIS.
A peak construction workforce of around 5,000 is expected for the construction of the new terminals and offshore wharves, the railway spur and supporting infrastructure. Construction is expected to commence in 2013 and will continue for approximately three years.
 
ABBOT POINT COAL TERMINAL EXPANSIONS
Abbot Point is located 25km north-west of Bowen on Queensland’s north coast and is set to become Australia’s largest coal port. With the recent completion of the ‘Northern Missing Link’ rail project, the port has been opened up to mines in the Bowen Basin which can now export coal through the port. Prior to this, coal was railed from three major mines on the Newlands Line and in the Goonyella System.
The future of Abbot Point is of great economic and development potential for Queensland and NQBP intends to grow port facilities to increase Queensland trade opportunities.
To support the immense opportunity at the Port of Abbot Point for new industrial development and growth, Queensland State Government has set aside the 16,000ha State Development Area adjacent to the port.
NQBP is delivering port development through planning for the construction of an offshore Multi Cargo Facility (MCF) and onshore coal terminals at the Port of Abbot Point, in addition to the existing Terminal 1 facility (50mtpa coal terminal) leased by Mundra Ports.
In April 2010, NQBP announced the awarding of Preferred Developer status to BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal Pty Ltd for development of two major expansions known as Terminals 2 and 3. NQBP has been negotiating detailed framework agreements which will underpin the planning and development of the terminals.
While NQBP has been working closely with BHP Billiton and Hancock Coal regarding Terminals 2 and 3, NQBP is also progressing the development of six new coal terminals, Terminals 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, referred to as the T4-9 project. The T4-9 project, together with NQBP’s planned MCF, will see coal exports from the Port of Abbot Point grow from its existing capacity of 50mtpa to a potential 385mtpa. The State Government announced the successful Preferred Respondents for T4-9 on 1 December 2011. These entities are (in alphabetical order):
  • Anglo American Metallurgical Coal;
  • Macmines Austasia;y North Queensland Coal Terminal (consortium of Macarthur Coal, Peabody Energy, New Hope Corporation, Middlemount Coal and Carabella Resources);
  • Rio Tinto Coal;
  • Vale; and
  • Waratah Coal.
Preferred Respondent status will provide an exclusive right to negotiate a Framework Agreement with NQBP. Should a Framework Agreement be subsequently agreed, NQBP will work with proponents for approximately two years to secure the design and approvals required to construct the terminals. During this stage, proponents will also need to progress their own approvals, including project funding, mining leases and haulage contracts.
If, at the end of this process which is expected to be around mid-2014, all necessary approvals have been received, proponents will then be given the right to construct a terminal.
The T4-9 project is expected to generate up to 60,000 direct construction jobs at the port, plus many more thousand in the development of supporting mine and rail infrastructure.
First coal exports from T4-9 through the MCF are expected in 2017.
The T4-9 project is an essential part of the critical infrastructure required to accommodate coal exports from the Bowen Basin and Galilee Basin. This project will enable Queensland to meet the worldwide demand for coal and confirm Queensland as the world’s largest exporter of coal.
 
ABBOT POINT MULTI CARGO FACILITY PROJECT
NQBP plans to construct a new multi-trade port facility known as the Multi Cargo Facility (MCF) at Abbot Point which will provide offshore infrastructure to accommodate the onshore coal terminal expansions. The MCF will maximize the use of port limits by developing a single facility with many berths. It will have the potential to accommodate a variety of cargoes, including liquid and dry bulk, break bulk and potentially containerized trade, all of which will complement industrial growth in the State Development Area.
The MCF will also include a tug harbour (servicing the MCF as well as the adjacent coal terminal), a dredged access channel, swing basin and berth pockets. About 30 million cubic metres of material will be dredged to create the access channel, basin and pockets and this material will be used to reclaim the land required for the MCF.
The creation of an MCF will allow new resource areas, such as the Galilee Basin and North West Minerals Province, to be developed.
Other clear strategic and operational merits include:
  • no urban impacts with thousands of hectares of land secured for industry adjacent to the MCF;
  • ease of project deliverability and management of environmental issues;
  • already part of State Government’s long-term industrial and infrastructure development plans with unhindered connections to road and rail available;
  • provision of deep water channel access for large bulk carriers (Capesize) and only site available in North Queensland; and
  • provision for import and export of non-bulk cargoes andimport of bulk cargoes for processing.
During 2011 NQBP conducted an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process for development of the MCF, with a view to issuing a design and construct contract. NQBP has appointed two contractors to submit tender prices for the design and construction of the MCF. This ECI process is expected to be completed in early 2012.
The final EIS has been submitted to the Federal Department of Sustainability, Environment,Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) for approval. The EIS is being assessed through the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The environmental approval covers the dredging and reclamation for the MCF, including access and haul roads to allow the construction of the facility.
Construction on the MCF is expected to commence in mid-2014 with first coal exports in 2017.
 
 
 
UCL Port – 5mt coal handled in 2011
In 2011 the stevedoring companies of subholding UCL Port (part of UCL Holding) handled over 5mt (million tonnes) of coal which is by 9% less than in 2010.
Multipurpose Reloading Complex in port of Ust-Luga (Leningrad region) handled 1.5mt of coal (+6% in comparison with 2010).The turnover of coal in Tuapse Sea Commercial Port decreased by 12%, up to 2.9mt, the turnover of coal in Taganrog Sea Commercial Port decreased by 24%, up to 582 thousand tonnes.
Decrease of indicators in the stevedoring companies of UCL Port at the South of Russia was caused by introduction of limits on throughput capacity of North-Caucasian railway. Decrease of handling volumes of coal in Tuapse Sea Port was caused also by shortage of railcars and in Taganrog Sea Port it was due to the renovation of the track of West-Siberian Railway.
Within the implementation of the programme of development of port infrastructure of UCL Port in October of 2011 UCL Holding, Ministry of Transport of RF and Administration of Krasnodar region signed a trilateral agreement on construction of the terminal for handling of coal, with annual capacity of 16mt in the deep-sea port of Taman. It will allow to reduce the existing shortage of handling capacities in Russia and to attract substantial cargo volumes for transit to the neighbouring countries.
Reference: Universal Cargo Logistics Holding (UCL Holding) – international transportation group, the companies of which transport cargoes by railway and water transport, handle cargoes in the Russian ports and also perform services related to logistics, shipbuilding and arrangement of cruise passenger transportation.
Via subholdings UCL Holding consolidates several divisions specializing in various types of transportation business.
UCL Port consolidates stevedoring companies of the group – JSC “Sea Port of Saint-Petersburg”, CJSC “Container Terminal Saint-Petersburg”, LLC “Multipurpose Reloading Complex” at the North-West of Russia and also Tuapse and Taganrog Sea Ports at the South of the country.
Stevedoring companies of UCL Holding handle a wide range of cargoes, including metals, coal, grain, sugar and oil and oil products.Total area of covered premises and open territories of the stevedoring companies amounts to 700,000m2. Total length of berths – about 10km.
The Development programme of UCL Port envisages construction of high-tech terminal facilities, which will allow to increase annual turnover of the stevedoring assets of the holding up to 60mt ensure the attraction of profitable cargo flows to all the transportation divisions of UCL Holding.
 
 
 
intergroup – a whole range of services in one logistical package
intergroup is a recognized Italian-based company, focused on integrated logistics.
intergroup provides clients with a wide and fully-integrated management for cargoes, along the whole logistics chain: marine terminal activities, transport, packaging, warehousing, handling of special cargo (for instance: windmills), handling and services for ferries, Ro-Ro and cruises. Therefore, as a group, it offers tailor- made services keeping highly competitive prices.
Established in 1986, during its 25-year-long history, intergroup has been a logistics partner with leading national and international companies. For them, intergroup handles industrial supply chains of several million tonnes of goods per year.
In a nutshell, the key strength of intergroup is the offer of a whole range of services, in order to make up kind of a ‘logistics package’ for its clients, activating the dedicated pool of employees in every department involved. Services provided from intergroup transport division cover national and international transport for all types of goods. The company delivers excellent services, while the marine terminal network, based in both the Port of Rome (Civitavecchia) and the Port of Gaeta (halfway between Rome and Naples, and currently undergoing the last stages of a €60 expansion project), offers a wide range of stevedoring services and has both technologically innovative equipment and machines, and a trustworthy and highly skilled workforce.
 
INTERGROUP – BULK LOGISTICS EXPERIENCE
The expanding Port of Gaeta, where intergroup is headquartered, specializes in the reception and discharging of dry bulk materials, and therefore one of the core focuses of intergroup is on the dry bulk related activities: intergroup is in fact a main logistics player in various national supply chains for industrial companies receiving clinker, coke, sands, salt, fertilizers, sulphate, carbonate. intergroup is structured to offer loading, discharging and movement operations of raw materials and goods transported from ships as bulk cargo. Harbour activities are performed with specific means and equipments: the group owns four Gottwald cranes of 200, 100, 63 tonnes, Caterpillar bulldozers and bobcats, hermetic grabs from 7 to 20 cubic metres, de-dusted hoppers, skid slides, suction cleaning machines.
In close connection with harbour activity, there are the warehousing facilities. intergroup owns and runs eight warehouses on the national territory: a harbour warehouse in Gaeta (custom and VAT free); Formia, where packaging and others added value services are provided; Sessa Aurunca for coal and other products related to the cement industry; the new foodstuffs warehouse in Gaeta; the also new 20,000m2 wide Distriport area in the heart of the Port area of Civitavecchia; the intermodal exchange area in Frosinone, connection point between flows of road-transported and railway-transported products, and two brand-new warehouses on the Ionian coast, which just came on line few months ago.
Some of those warehouses are completely dedicated to bulk storage. Among these, coal logistics are definitely included. In fact, one of the six warehouses mentioned above, is entirely dedicated to supporting the cement industry with all the raw material they need for their production such as iron oxide, ferrous sulphate, pozzolana cement, and of course the coal logistics chain: the Sessa Aurunca warehouse, halfway between Rome and Naples, is a just-in-time distribution hub for most of the major cement factories located in the centre/southern part of Italy, such as Colacem, Sacci, Italcementi, Buzzi Unicem, Cementir and many more. The area completely reserved to coal flows is 70,000m2 wide. Five-metre-high cement walls are placed in the area in order to protect the product and to create different zones reserved to each client, keeping different coal qualities ideally separated. Coal is discharged in Port of Gaeta by the intergroup marine terminal facilities, from vessels usually arriving from United States or South America, then carried into the Sessa Aurunca warehouse, stored and delivered just in time to factories, according to distribution plans.
According to the quality and green-oriented philosophy that drives the intergroup way, Sessa Aurunca coal warehouse is equipped with a system to minimize dust, and all around the area there are high cement walls and lines of poplars. There is also a totally green system, equipped with sophisticated automated installations for depuration, filtering and recycle of water, a sub- irrigation system, a coconut-fibre drainage system with laser rays, a safe fire-fighting system and all the technologically advanced installations which guarantee the highest standards in this field. Last but not least 30% of the whole warehouse area is specifically dedicated to a poplar plantation to protect the outside environment from any contamination with the product.