Germany: EUROGATE, MSC Gate Increase Efficiency in Handling Mega Ocean Carriers

With the relocation of a total of six container cranes, Bremerhaven’s container terminals, EUROGATE and MSC Gate, are even more efficient and flexible in handling mega ocean carriers in future. On this Wednesday September 28th, a special vehicle transported an around 1,000-tonne crane to the south end of the Bremerhaven quay, the longest quay in Europe. By mid-October, another five container cranes will follow.

Then 23 of the largest container cranes – with a reach of 62 metres, serving 23 rows of containers on board – will be available, one next to the other, for handling mega ocean carriers. Depending on need, 14,000 TEU container ships can be handled in parallel with several container cranes at both MSC Gate and the EUROGATE Container Terminal Bremerhaven. “With the relocation of the container cranes, we are reacting to the current market development”, says Emanuel Schiffer, Chairman of the EUROGATE Group Management Board. “Shipping lines are arriving at our container terminals with ever-increasing container ship sizes. Now we can react even more flexibly and quickly between the terminals. If needed and for the appropriate capacity, the respective partner’s berths and container cranes can be used without any restrictions. This guarantees additional efficiency”, he continues.

Two of the converted container cranes will be ready for use from November 2011 for the handling of wind energy components. On the areal leased by RWE Innogy and located at the south end of the container terminal, components with a weight of up to 155 tonnes can be shifted. Tower segments of a length of 35 metres and rotor blades of 65 metres can easily be lifted with the cranes. In May of last year, the Container Terminal Bremerhaven was selected by RWE Innogy as the offshore base port for the construction of the “Nordsee Ost” wind park. In future, the terminal will store, pre-assemble and handle components for wind turbines.

About EUROGATE:

EUROGATE is the leading container terminal logistics Group in Europe. Jointly with Contship Italia, the network operates nine container terminals from the North Sea coast to the Mediterranean area. One new sea terminal in Wilhelmshaven is currently under construction. The range of services is rounded off by intermodal transport and cargomodal services. EUROGATE was established in 1999, and handled 12.6 million TEU in 2010

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Source: EUROGATE, September 29, 2011.