Ottonel Popesco News

Cavotec SA's previously announced strategic plan and new organisational structure — based on two distinct Business Units (BU), Ports & Maritime and Airports & Industry — entered into effect on January 1, 2017. The new structure will also form the basis of the company's financial reporting going forward, in line with IFRS requirements. The Ports & Maritime BU will be headed by Gustavo Miller, former Cavotec APAC/AMER COO, who has been nominated as BU COO for the unit, with full Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility. The Airports & Industry BU will be headed by Juergen Strommer, former EMEA COO, who has been nominated as BU COO for the unit, with full P&L responsibility.

An agreement has been signed between Wärtsilä and Cavotec to jointly develop the world's first combined induction charging and automatic mooring concept. Wärtsilä has developed a wireless charging system based on inductive power transfer. Cavotec provides automated mooring systems for various types of vessels, as well as shore power and reel systems. By combining the strengths and expertise of the two companies, an integrated wireless charging/mooring concept is to be developed for use in Wärtsilä's ship designs. Wireless charging eliminates the cable connection between the vessel and shore, thereby securing and facilitating safe connections and disconnections. It also reduces maintenance since wear and tear to physical connection lines is eliminated.

Global engineering group Cavotec has been awarded three separate orders for its innovative MoorMaster automated mooring technology for applications in Australia, Canada and the United States, with a combined value of approximately EUR 6.5 million. “The MoorMaster technology continues to gain traction and acceptance in the market place. These orders – from new and existing customers – demonstrate the considerable potential of this unique technology in the global maritime sector,” says Ottonel Popesco, Cavotec CEO. In the largest of these projects, Cavotec is to supply six MoorMaster units for the two locks on the US side of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The units are scheduled for delivery for the first lock in July 2016, and the second lock in April the following year.

Cavotec announced it has received orders for its port technologies in Australia, Indonesia, Oman, Portugal and Turkey, and for two major shipping lines, with a combined value of more than EUR 11.5 million. Cavotec will supply eight MoorMaster automated mooring units for installation at a container berth at the Port of Salalah in Oman, where a number of MoorMaster units have been in service for several years. MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines.

The Cavotec engineering group has won orders worth EUR 7.2 million for several of its Ports & Maritime technologies, including Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) systems, marine propulsion slipring systems, cable reels and high voltage cables for customers in the US, China, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. Cavotec has received two substantial orders from the Dalian Huarui conglomerate for a bulk handling application in Australia. The scope of these projects includes the manufacture and supply of cable reels, hose reels and hoses for five stacker/reclaimer machines and one ship loader, as well as high voltage power cables. This equipment will be used to process iron ore from the Roy Hill mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Sweden's Cavotec Group strengthens customer base with acquisition of ground support equipment manufacturer Combibox, also of Sweden. Cavotec explains their success at generating added value for customers and the Group by applying technologies perfected for airports to port applications for ships: an approach Combibox has also adopted. “With more than 30 years of experience in the airports industry, Combibox is extremely well-established; it has an outstanding customer base with product references all around the world. This will enable the Group to further improve its offering and expand into new markets,” explains Cavotec CEO Ottonel Popesco.

The Cavotec AMP equipment being supplied under these contracts includes shore power systems built into the quayside that enable ships to connect to grid-generated electrical power safely, quickly and easily. These units will also incorporate Cavotec's innovative spring-assisted One-Hand-Lift Access Covers. "Cavotec's One-Hand-Lift Access Covers are safer than many alternatives that are currently available. Conventional systems include covers with very heavy lift weights, while Cavotec's innovative system helps to avoid operator stress and injury by reducing these lift weights to a minimum," explains Rob Thompson, Cavotec USA Inc. West Coast Manager.