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February, 2010 – issue 7 |
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The Port Digest is a quarterly e-newsletter published by the Port of Itajaí Media and Press Advisory. It features in depth information and upcoming events on the Port of Itajaí, Rio Itajaí-Açú Dock Complex and some comprehensive coverage of the latest news affecting the Brazilian ports and the maritime industry. |
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February 3rd, 2010 – Port of Itajaí Speeds up Reconstruction Works.
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TSCC Consortium (formed by the companiesTriunfo, Serveng, Civilsan and Constremac), in charge of the reconstruction works of the Port of Itajaí, has laid out a new plan to speed up the construction of berths 01 and 02, severely damaged by the floods of November 2008.”TSCC will be working around the clock and will measure no efforts to meet the deadline set by the Special secretariat of Ports for the conclusion of berth 01 by the end of May, and Berth 02, by late July 2010. Speeding up the process will greatly offset previous unexpected slowdowns caused by adverse weather and waterway conditions”, remarked José Ricardo Ruschel dos Santos, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretariat of Ports Minister Pedro Brito, in a meeting held by the Port of Itajaí Authority Council, last February 1 st . TSCC new taskforce construction plan will consist of: Accelerating pile interlocking works for a faster assembly of pile structure; Expanding the construction site; Acquisition of new and more sophisticated equipment to speed up driving operations of tubular piles; Creating a special 24-hour work schedule divided into 5 different work shifts to boost workforce capacity; Acquisition of specialized equipment for blasting and removing underwater debris; “Currently, we have the capacity to drive only 8 piles daily. Speeding up the construction works and acquiring more powerful vibratory pile drivers will enable us to sink an average of 15 piles a day, which means doubling pile driving capacity”, Ruschel added. The Port of Itajaí Superintendent Antonio Ayres dos Santos remarked on the importance of TSCC's construction plan to guarantee the full re-establishment of operations by the second semester of this year. |
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A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain gave Itajaí Port Complex a score of 7.3 ( on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest possible rating) after conducting a survey on the overall performance results of the main Brazilian ports in 2009. The survey carried out amongst 187 renowned Brazilian Companies found that the Complex has risen from the 11 th to the 4 th place in the ranking of Brazil's top container handlers since 2007, when the same survey was conducted last. At that time, both the Complex and the Port of Paranagua scored 6.4 in their overall container handling performance, making them slide steeply to the 11 th place in the ranking. In accordance to Itajaí's maritime executives, disadvantageous position with respect to draught restrictions, lack of shipping routes and the gradual decline in the number of vessel calls (greatly impacted by the global economic downturn) were the major setbacks hampering the Complex container handling growth in 2009. “The obstacles are being handled with absolute efficiency by a highly experienced team of professionals who have wasted no time working diligently and around the clock to tackle all problems at source. Most importantly is that we have very resiliently ploughed through all these harsh adversities and successfully managed to retain our lead as one of the Nation's top container handlers. Dredging of the access channel and turning basin from 11 to 14 meters ( bidding process by the Special Secretariat of Ports underway) and the gradual return of shipping lines, over the past seven months, now play a key role for a full reestablishment of operations, remarked Antonio Ayres dos Santos, The Port of Itajaí Superintendent. For Robert Grantham, the Commercial Director, the IIOS Survey result shows that the Port Complex is sure on the right track. “Managing to keep a leading position in container handling, even in times of adversities is a result of our successful initiative to invest in service quality. Sticking to this strategy will ultimately lead us to achieve even a more prominent position in the national maritime business scenario”, said Grantham. The Carriers Association representative Jorge Cárdenas said in a Port Authority Council meeting that in accordance to the Survey result, the Port of Itajaí performance jumped from “fair” to “good”, which he considers excellent, since it reflects the Brazilian exporters opinion. |
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China Shipping CSCL Tianjin called at Teconvi Box Facility Terminal, last Saturday 6 th , after a 15 month withdrawal from Itajaí operations. CSCL Tianjin now adds to the two carriers' most recent joint service fleet that will reshuffle routes to Asia on a weekly basis. The vessel with an overall length of 260 meters and a carrying capacity of 4.000 Teus was loaded with 4.820 tons of cargo stuffed in 280 containers. The Port of Itajaí Commercial Director Robert Grantham said that more important than the increase in the volume of cargo handled is the gradual return of the major carriers who had switched operations to the neighboring Port of São Francisco due to dredging works of the approach channel after the 2008 floods. CMA-CGM and China Shipping most recent resumption of operations with the SEAS service to Asia is of vital importance because it will handle the State's great part of the reefer cargo exported to the Far East, explained Mr. Grantham. “Besides increasing reefer cargo flow, the service will also boost import cargo handling volumes, seen that imports have grown steadfastly in the region and statewide most recently”, added Grantham. |
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Last Saturday 6 th , Commercial Director Robert Grantham awarded the Port of Itajaí Coat of Arms to CSCL Tianjin Captain Yuriv Poberezhny in recognition of CMA-CGM and China Shipping efforts to bring back to Itajaí Port Complex the “SEAS service” linking South America East Coast and Asia. The Seas service had been withdrawn temporarily from the Complex and transferred to the neighboring Port of São Francisco right after the ravaging floods of November 2008. “The Carriers decision to resume the service will sure jumpstart operations at the Complex… It's highly appreciated by the whole local maritime community”, remarked Grantham. |
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February 19th, 2010 – Itajaí Import Cargo Volumes on the Rise. |
Total cargo throughput handled by Itajaí Port Complex in January this year was lower than the one recorded in December 2009. Statistics showed that total cargo handled by the Complex within the first month of the year fell 15,98%. Total number of containers handled dropped 11,51%, while the Complex registered a 7,62% decline in vessel traffic. The Complex operating results were announced at Itajaí Port Authority meeting earlier this morning. Port of Itajaí Commercial Director Robert Grantham said the overall decline was due to the lower cargo volumes handled by Portonave (Navegantes Terminals Co) as a result of a sharp slump in exports. The Terminal throughput registered a 26,04% decline in cargo tonnage, 20,79% in Teus and a 14,04% decrease in vessel traffic. “Surprisingly, Teconvi Box Facility Terminal had an excellent overall performance, showing an amazing 16,37% increase in cargo tonnage handled, 15,21% upswing in Teus and a 15,21% rise in the number of vessel calls. The results show that the terminal is on the right track for a very soon recovery”, explained the Director. Grantham further added that the overall import cargo handled by the terminal jumped from 61 78 Teus in December 2009 to 81 28 Teus in January 2010. “Cargo volume inevitably declines during the international market “first quarter slowdown”. Consequently, the Complex container handling volume will only hit new highs from the beginning of the second quarter, when the market then starts heating up again”, Port of Itajaí Superintendent Antonio Ayres dos Santos remarked. “Last month's throughput cannot be compared to the one recorded in January 2009 when the terminal operations had been severely hampered by the ravaging floods”, further remarked Robert Grantham, the Commercial Director. |
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Commercial Director Media and Press Advisor Media and Press Advisory Translator Disclaimer : All information and views contained in the Port Digest Newsletter are strictly those of the Port of Itajaí Media and Press Advisory and is intended for information purposes only. All such information is provided in good faith and the Port of Itajaí excludes liability for any errors, omissions or misleading information (unless made recklessly or fraudulently) to the maximum extent permitted by law, together with all implied warranties in connection with such information. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this newsletter. If you are not the intended recipient or if you believe you have received it in error, |
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