Maritime

The Port of Montreal releases its 2019 annual and sustainable development reports

Published

2 months ago

June 16, 2020

The Port of Montreal releases its 2019 annual and sustainable development reports. Image: Flickr/ Caribb

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Montreal Port Authority (MPA) held its annual meeting virtually. During the Web conference, President and CEO Sylvie Vachon, accompanied by the Chair of the Board of Directors, presented the operating results for 2019.

Cargo traffic

For the MPA, 2019 was a sixth consecutive record year in terms of tonnes of goods handled. The total volume of goods reached 40.6 million tonnes, up 4.3% from 2018.

The container sector also set a new record with 15.1 million tonnes of containerized cargo and 1.75 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Market diversification continued: 27% of containerized trade was with Asia (an 8% increase), 5% with South America and 4% with Africa and Oceania. At 57%, Europe remained the main market. At the same time, our trade with the U.S. Midwest enjoyed an 11% upswing.

The dry bulk sector posted a strong increase of 17% over last year with a total of 9.2 million tonnes, mainly due to the resumption of operations at the grain terminal following a labour stoppage in 2018.

The liquid bulk sector remained stable compared to last year with 16.2 million tonnes handled. The non-containerized cargo sector dropped 33.5%, to 123,000 tonnes of cargo, mainly due to the end of handling oversized parts for the new Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge.

The 2019 cruise season boasted 112, 000 cruise passengers and crew members, with 76 calls from 17 different cruise lines.

Financial results

The MPA’s financial results improved in 2019. Operating revenues reached $130 million, a 5% increase over 2018, while expenses amounted to $99.3 million. Factoring in investment income, net earnings were $31.9 million.

These excellent results and steady growth over the past six years are helping the MPA get through the current health crisis by maintaining its essential role in economic activity. These results and growth also make it possible for the MPA to stay focused on the future by moving forward with its major projects, such as planning for a new container terminal in Contrecœur, completing Viau Terminal, erecting the Grand Quay observation tower and developing innovative digital solutions aimed at optimizing Greater Montreal’s logistics and supply chain.

Sustainable development

The sustainable development report, also made public today, showed a continuous decrease over the past seven years in the intensity of GHG emissions from MPA-specific activities per tonne of cargo handled. In all, 145 sustainable development actions were taken in 2019, including measures to protect at-risk species, planting 750 trees, installing a new electrical connection for a decommissioned vessel and the launch of an urban beekeeping project.

2020: A tougher year

The current health and economic crisis is not without consequences for the Port of Montreal.

“Port activities generate positive economic returns for businesses, workers and citizens. Thanks to the collective strength that unites stakeholders in the supply chain, the Port of Montreal is fulfilling its mission despite the most unpredictable challenges, such as the COVID-19 crisis, which has severely tested the social and economic balance. The Port remains committed to supporting Canadian businesses and playing a key role in the economic recovery to come,” said Sylvie Vachon.

As a result of recent directives from the Government of Canada, the cruise season in Montreal was cancelled. As for cargo volumes handled, after a solid first quarter, the MPA has been experiencing signs of a slowdown on its docks since April, but the intermodal chain remains fully mobilized. For the year 2020, the MPA projects a 12% drop in freight traffic compared to last year. This decline should be followed by a recovery at the end of the year and into early 2021.

Container Shipping Lines

HMM joins forces with CMA CGM on TTI Algeciras operation

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2020

HYUNDAI Merchant Marine CO.,LTD.

HMM joins forces with CMA CGM on TTI Algeciras operation. Image: HMM

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HMM announced that the company has signed a sales and purchase agreement with CMA CGM for the sale of its 50% stake minus one share in Total Terminal International Algeciras, a container terminal in the south of Spain.

Shares of TTI Algeciras are owned by HMM and HT Algeciras which is a special purpose company wholly controlled by HMM. HMM directly owns a stake of 50% minus one share, with the remaining 50% stake plus one share held by HT Algeciras.

HMM has decided to sell its own 50% stake minus one share but still maintains its position as the largest shareholder through HT Algeciras.

The financial details including the price of the deal were not disclosed.

HMM expects a great synergy effect based on strategic cooperation with CMA CGM in terms of enhancing profitability and operational capabilities by securing additional cargoes.

HMM official said, “TTI Algeciras has a great geographical advantage to play an integral role as a transshipment hub located at the centre of containerised cargo flow on main trade lanes. We believe TTI Algeciras will take centre stage in the Gibraltar area as it has a high potential for future growth and development. We are expecting more business opportunities in the years to come based on stable operations of the terminal.”

This transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to be completed in Q4 2020 for joint operations to be started.

Meanwhile, TTI Algeciras was formerly operated by Hanjin Shipping but HMM acquired a 100% stake in the terminal in 2017.

HMM joins forces with CMA CGM on TTI Algeciras operation. Image: HMM

Maritime

APM Terminals to acquire ALC´s container terminal in Aarhus

Published

10 hours ago

August 10, 2020

APM TERMINALS

APM Terminals to acquire ALC´s container terminal in Aarhus. Image: APM Terminals

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Aarhus Logistics Center transfers ownership of its container terminal in Aarhus to neighboring APM Terminals facility

Aarhus Logistics Center A/S (ALC) divests its container terminal in the port of Aarhus to APM Terminals, with neighboring APM Terminals Aarhus acquiring operations as well as the port areas of ALC. The transfer of ownership will have effect as of 1 September 2020.

The terminal was established by ALC in the spring of 2017, after which ALC has managed to develop a strong activity level. However, due to limitations regarding area capacity and lack of prospects of further developing the business, ALC consequently decided to divest the terminal to the much larger operation at APM Terminals in Aarhus.

“Aarhus has a central position for the container traffic, and in ALC, we have within a few years attained a strong activity level. However, we estimate that from a long-term perspective, it will be difficult to further develop our activities. Consequently, it will also involve challenges to continue servicing our clients in the most appropriate way. By selling the terminal to APM Terminals, we also ensure improved possibilities for the clients”, says Jan Dam Poulsen, Managing Director, ALC.

Maritime

Jan De Nul signs contract with Dogger Bank Wind Farm

Published

3 days ago

August 7, 2020

Jan De Nul Group

Jan De Nul signs contract with Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Image: Jan De Nul

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Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Jan De Nul Group announce the signing of the final contract for the transport and installation of the GE Haliade-X offshore wind turbines at Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B, 130 km off the Yorkshire coast, starting in 2023. Turbine delivery and installation at the first two phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the first assignment for the world’s largest Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel owned by Jan De Nul Group, the Voltaire.

The 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is being delivered in the North Sea in three 1.2GW phases, is set to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when complete and is a joint venture between SSE Renewables and Equinor.

When complete, Dogger Bank will generate enough energy to power over 4.5 million homes every year – around 5% of the UK’s electricity needs.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm secured 3.6 GW of offshore wind contracts in the UK Government’s 2019 contracts for difference auctions. Record low prices were awarded for the three projects making up Dogger Bank Wind Farm: Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B are now moving towards final investment decision, expected by the end of 2020. SSE Renewables is leading the development and construction phases of Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Equinor will lead on operations for its lifetime of at least 25 years, creating around 200 jobs in the North East.

Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Project Director at SSE Renewables: “We’re very pleased to have signed the final contract with industry leader Jan De Nul Group to transport and install the turbines for Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B. Jan De Nul has a proven track record of transporting and installing new generation offshore wind turbines at scale and its state-of-the-art Voltaire vessel will be the largest and ultra-clean jack up vessel ever seen in the industry when operational. This contract further demonstrates the industry-leading status of Dogger Bank Wind Farm and the innovative supply chain partners such as Jan De Nul that are delivering the project.”

Halfdan Brustad, Vice President for Dogger Bank at Equinor: “Dogger Bank is a record-breaking project, leading the way in terms of technology and scale. We are so pleased to have secured the Voltaire vessel for this project, not only is it the largest of its kind, but also the first Ultra-Low Emission jack-up vessel, which is truly pioneering. Innovation across all levels of the supply chain has enabled offshore wind projects to grow in size whilst reducing costs, and this has been a large factor in the growing success of offshore wind.”

Philippe Hutse, Director Offshore Division at Jan De Nul Group: “We are delighted to have signed the first contract for our new generation jack-up vessel Voltaire and to work together with industry leaders SSE Renewables and Equinor. When taking the decision to build this exciting vessel we had exactly the type of project in mind like Dogger Bank Wind Farm in terms of scale and characteristics of the offshore sites and the turbines. We are proud to contribute to the worldwide transition to renewable energies by installing the offshore wind turbines at Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B in the most efficient and clean manner possible.”