Container Depot News

Abu Dhabi-based AD Ports Group has inaugurated a new, custom-bound inland dry port facility, enhancing the connectivity of Khalifa Port.Al Faya Dry Port, strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will act as an Inland Container Depot (ICD) linked overland to Khalifa Port, offering a transit terminal for trucks and thus improving speed to market and more cost-efficient cargo handling operations for Dubai and the Northern Emirates.Al Faya Dry Port will serve CMA CGM as…

Police in Bangladesh on Wednesday opened an investigation into eight officials from a shipping container depot after a blaze killed at least 44 people, including 10 firefighters, and injured around 200 others, officials said.Firefighters put out the blaze at the depot in Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong, on Wednesday, four days after it began late on Saturday, triggering a series of explosions.The investigation was opened into officials who were directly involved operating the depot on suspicion of negligence and mismanagement…

Firefighters in Bangladesh brought a blaze at a container depot under control on Tuesday, three days after fiery explosions killed at least 43 people at a facility that a senior fire service official suspected had not followed safety guidelines.Drone footage showed smoke and rows of burnt-out containers from the fire that began late on Saturday, triggering blasts and blazes at Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong. Authorities have not determined…

Firefighters battled for a third day on Monday to control a huge fire that killed dozens when it triggered explosions at a Bangladesh container depot, as officials warned of the risk of further blasts if the flames spread to chemicals stored nearby.Drone footage from the BM Container Depot at Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the southeastern port city of Chittagong, showed thick columns of smoke still rising from burnt-out containers some 46 hours after the blaze broke out.With the country's poor record on industrial accidents under the spotlight…

William P. Doyle is the incoming Executive Director of the Maryland Port Administration. A former U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner, Doyle currently serves as CEO & Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of America – and the group's member companies have recently made a series of announcements to build new dredges of several types and sizes. We caught up with the incoming Port of Baltimore head to discuss his initial goals for the new role. How do you feel about being selected the head of MPA and Executive Director of the Port of Baltimore?I feel terrific.

The global port management company International Container Terminal Services Inc.(ICTSI) said yard utilization at its Manila port dropped 58 percent in June despite a series of holiday periods and low trucking activity.The Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), ICTSI flagship, recorded the drop in utilization rates despite recording its all-time highest throughput over a four-month period.Philippines-headquartered port and terminal operator said that this follows the 70 percent utilization rate recorded in April, down 20 percent from 90 percent in January after private sector partners and  the government signed a manifesto last March calling for the efficient utilization of container terminals.

The global port operator are in discussions with Kazakhstan government to invest in new infrastructure in the country’s ports and logistics sectors.The potential of DP World investing in new infrastructure in Kazakhstan’s ports and logistics sectors was the focus of discussions between global trade enabler DP World’s Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister H.E. Askar Mamin in Astana today.This follows the signing of two framework agreements with the government of Kazakhstan for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Aktau and Khorgos.DP World has been providing management services to the Port of Aktau, Kazakhstan’s main cargo and bulk terminal on the Caspian Sea…

Logistics software company WiseTech Global has announced its acquisition of Singaporean supply chain tracking and management software firm Containerchain.Based in Singapore, Containerchain provides optimization services such as real-time tracking, operational planning and automation to logistics communities in Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific region.Containerchain serves the container community of empty container depots, road transporters, container terminals, warehouses, shipping lines and cargo owners. Its customers include Qube Holdings, CMA CGM, ACFS Port Logistics, Arrow Transport and Logistics, Chalmers, DP World Logistics Australia…

APM Terminals Inland Services in Costa Rica has worked closely with one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of tropical fruit.The Hague-based international container terminal operating company  said in a press release that among other things, the solution has helped optimize the flow of containers to fruit plantations on the Caribbean coast, increase efficiency and lower reefer inventory.With a large number of refrigerated containers (reefers) being shipped to global markets by Costa Rican tropical fruit exporters, the challenge is finding a cost-effective way of getting them back to the farmer to start their cycle again.Many of the reefer containers are shipped back as non-operating reefers (NORs).

APM Terminals Inland Services' integrated Inland Container Depot (ICD) and supply chain solutions facility at Chakan, Pune has achieved a significant first after being awarded an environmental clearance certificate by the Indian government.The certification authorises the facility to store, handle, transport, and deliver hazardous chemicals in any form – a critical requirement for all industries dealing with chemicals in domestic and international trade and a key safeguard for the environment.The achievement marks a significant milestone for our operations as it is the first time it has been awarded to an ICD in India.“The certification…

Global container shipping lines MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced the launch of a new dedicated train set-up between Giengen (a.d. Brenz) and Trieste, starting mid of November 2018.This stand-alone solution finally offers an A-B connection between metropolitan area of Ulm and the Adriatic, as the fastest gateway to/from Asia and the Mediterranean.The terminal in Giengen is operated by the leading European home appliance manufacturer BSH Hausgeräte GmbH. BSH has identified the huge potential and benefits to their supply chain and has become shareholder and largest single customer on this product.In times of heavily congested inland terminals and scarcity of truck capacities…

Maersk Line, the global containerized division of the Maersk Group, announced the commencement of its new commercial office in Kathmandu, Nepal from 1st of June this year.Maersk Line since its entry into the Nepal market over 20 years back has been providing shipping and logistical solutions through its strong network in India. However, with the rapid growth of trade in the region, Maersk Line sees an opportunity to serve its customers better by being closer to them.Maersk Line’s customer centric approach is reflected through its dual service offerings to Nepal through Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. Its offering between Kolkata port and Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Birgunj on merchant haulage underlines its focus to provide end-to-end shipping solutions.In June 2017…

PSA International through its subsidiary has acquired 60 per cent of Ashcroft Terminal (AT) , an inland port facility about 300km east of the Port of Vancouver in western Canada, making its first foray into Canada.AT is an inland port facility located approximately 300 kilometres east of the Port of Vancouver (POV).Comprising 320 acres of free-hold industrial land, it is the only major privately-owned industrial property in Canada where both Class 1 railroad lines – including Canadian National (CN) Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway – run through, transporting import and export cargoes to and from the POV, across Canada and as far as Chicago and other North American markets.

The standard gauge rail (SGR) freight service will increase the number of daily trains on the Mombasa-Nairobi route in the next five months to facilitate faster movement of cargo between the port and the inland container depot (ICD) in Embakasi, reported the Nation. The report quoted China Communications Construction Company chairman, Lu Shan,  as saying that the trains will have increased to 28 by December. He added that currently, they are operating 12 freight trains on a daily basis. As of now, the ICD has capacity to handle 450,000 Twenty-Foot equivalent Units (TEUs) per year, up from its original design of 180,000 TEUs. It receives four trains daily, carrying 108 containers each.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has announced that its joint venture company Haiphong International Container Terminal held an opening ceremony for the new Haiphong International Container Terminal (HICT) at Lach Huyen Port, Vietnam on May 13. HICT is the first terminal in Northern Vietnam with a berth deep enough to allow calls by 14,000TEU containerships. It will meet customer demands for shorter transit times and lower transport costs, while contributing to economic growth in Northern Vietnam, including Haiphong industrial park, since large-size container vessels, which offer direct links to Asia and North America/Europe, can call at the port.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed by DP World, Egypt’s Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport and the Suez Canal Authority is aiming to develop a new Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Egypt’s 6th of October City, a satellite town in the Giza Governorate and part of the urban area of Cairo. The three partners will bid for the government contract for the project later this year. The proposed ICD will increase the flow of cargo between ships and major land transportation networks in the country, creating a central distribution point. Under the MoU, DP World will lead and represent the alliance in the bidding process and become the ICD operator if the tender is won.

APM Terminals Inland Services inaugurated its new state-of-the-art Inland Container Depot and supply chain solutions facility designed to serve one of India’s fastest-growing hubs for industrial development and manufacturing in the Pune district in Maharashtra state. The new facility, which is over 12 acres in area, can handle more than 60,000 containers annually. Services include Customs clearance, bonded and non-bonded warehousing, empty container acceptance, transportation solutions and container repairs which are typically offered near ports.The facility is located 150 kilometers inland from Mumbai. Regional industries and manufacturing will now benefit from these local services. A.P.

Pentalver Transport Limited has commenced work on Phase two of its container facility at DP World London Gateway. Work started to expand the container yard, located on Berth Seven of the logistics hub, on Monday, August 15. Pentalver opened the first phase of the facility in 2015, following a successful interim operation in support of customers who has commenced container operations at the new port. Phase two of the development will add 40% additional capacity to the Pentalver operation and highlights the commitment Pentalver has made to DP World London Gateway following the commercial success achieved since opening in November 2013.

Global trade enabler DP World has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Kazakhstan for the development of a special economic zone in Aktau further boosting trade and logistics in the country. The MoU was signed by DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Governor of Mangistau, Akim Alik Aidarbayev in the presence of First Deputy Prime Minister, Askar Mamin. It builds on DP World’s present management advisory services contract with the Port of Aktau, Kazakhstan’s main cargo and bulk terminal on the Caspian Sea. DP World also provides similar services under a separate contract with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ), Kazakhstan’s national railway company for the development of the Khorgos Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Inland Container Depot (ICD).

The Georgia Ports Authority achieved record container volumes in 2015, Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported to the GPA board Monday. Over the last calendar year, the Port of Savannah moved an all-time high 3.73 million twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 391,356 TEUs, or 11.7 percent compared to CY2014. "The expansion was fueled in part by heightened demand in the U.S. Southeast, Savannah's logistical advantages drawing new customers to Georgia, and cargo diverted from the West Coast," said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. Total tonnage across all terminals reached a record 31.48 million tons in CY2015, an increase of 1.09 million tons, or 3.6 percent.

The Port of Oakland has set its plan to move containerized cargo once a marine terminal closes March 31. The Port said today its Continuity Plan will keep trade flowing and prevent vessel diversions to other ports. The plan addresses the impending shutdown of Outer Harbor Terminals LLC, formerly known as Ports America Outer Harbor Terminals LLC. The terminal operator has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it will leave Oakland. The Port said its Continuity Plan calls for ships that use Outer Harbor Terminal to relocate to berths at adjacent terminals in Oakland. It said terminals will add labor where necessary and open gates nights and weekends to accommodate additional cargo.

DP World Group Chairman and CEO, and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Freezones Corporation, HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem has met with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, at the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai to explore possible future opportunities for economic co-operation. During the meeting, which was also attended by DP World Vice Chairman Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah and senior company officials, HE Bin Sulayem suggested diverse solutions for Georgia’s trade and logistics development plans that would be cost effective and up-to-date with the latest industry trends. Both parties agreed that a DP World research team should visit the country to evaluate the potential for the possible construction of a marine terminal…

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest port developer, has recently made an addition of three new Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes (RMGC), for their container rail terminal in Mundra. The RMGCs, expected to be operational by this month end, was offloaded on October 7, as part of enhancing the handling capabilities of Inland Container Depot (ICD) bound containers in Mundra port. “Mundra is the only port in India having 21st century infrastructure. Adding these new RMG cranes will be a game changer for rail container operations, as this goes in line with the Chairman’s vision of supply driven infrastructure & automation for faster evacuation of containers and quick turnaround of container trains.