Cargo Systems this month's issue - news

Recent economic indicators suggest that a slow and tentative global recovery appears to be here. There is cautious optimism that the worst is over. But how the coming year will play out is anyone's guess after the roller coaster ride of the last two years. There are, after all, many contradictions to what was once considered the economic norm.

A CO2-neutral, automated and truck-free container terminal has been awarded first place by an independent jury in a market consultation to decide the future of Hamburg's Central Terminal Steinwerder (CTS).

Logistics giant Kuehne & Nagel (KN) has ended its contract with Associated British Ports (ABP) to operate an intermodal facility at ABP's Hams Hall terminal in the UK after just three years.

AP Moller has hailed the 2009 performance of its terminals subsidiary as "substantially better" than 2008 following a "focus on cost-cutting measures and geographical reorientation of activities [which] more than offset the decline in activity".

Hyster has launched a new range of heavy duty forklift trucks and dedicated container handlers. With lifting capacities of 25-32 tonnes, the H25-32XM range comprises nine new models, three of which are "ultra-compact" for use where space is limited.

Cooper Specialised Handling has released details of a new system that it claims will bring significant benefits to terminal and yard safety. "NearGuard" is a new safety alert system that locates both the direction and proximity of objects in and around hazardous operating areas by using RFID technology.

Demag Cranes, owner of the Gottwald Port Technology brand, has reported a "stabilising trend" but continued "weak demand" in its Q1 2009-10 financial year results. Mobile harbour crane (MHC) sales generated most of the revenue, while the company blamed "the postponement of contract awards for large port projects" for a lack of orders for AGVs and ASCs.

Co-operation between APM Terminals Algeciras and the University of Cadiz has led to several terminal equipment design improvements, according to the terminal operator.

Software specialist Vehnet has launched Advanced Yard Design Optimiser (AYDO), designed to enable users to accurately design and fully optimise individual yard layouts. It is available to download and use free of charge.

Competition on South America's west coast is keeping parties on their toes. Fierce investment, targetted drive for growth and high hopes dominate. Rainbow Nelson explains

Terminals on the east coast of South America have failed to become competetive transhipment hubs but major shipping lines are taking matters into their own hands, writes Rainbow Nelson

US ports strugglied in the last year, but with an expected recovery from the financial crisis, better trade relations and planned spending, the only way is up, according to officials. John Fossey examines the situation

Southern Baltic ports had a rough ride last year and the beginning of 2010 has also been a wake-up call for those still thinking about the need to accommodate larger container vessels, writes Matthew Beddow

With capex under increased scrutiny, is equipment refurbishment a cost-effective means for terminals to stay ahead of the game? asks Benedict Young

Although yard crane deliveries fell slightly in 2009, the figures don't yet reveal the impact of the global crisis, writes Brian Robinson

There appears to be no shortage of technical innovation in the lift truck sector but competition among suppliers is fierce due to a fall in demand, writes Benedict Young With a large number of rivals vying for business, manufacturers of lift trucks ? both reachstackers and forklifts ? continually strive to maximise the operational and environmental efficiencies of their machines. Indeed, as well as enhancements to existing ranges of equipment, new models are reaching the market, in spite of the financial pressure on manufacturers in the wake of the global crisis.

Paying attention to the capacity and condition ­of crane brakes can lead to productivity and safety benefits for terminal operators, writes Benedict Young

While the hoist brakes may be considered the most important for cargo handling operations, gantry brakes, including storm brakes, must not be overlooked. "Gantry brakes and rail clamp is an area which deserves special attention by terminal operators and their insurance companies, in view of more frequent wind induced collisions and collapse, being encountered," says Portek's chairman Larry Lam.

A new study shows that the scale and impact of marine lubricant operational discharges in port waters around the world is worse than previously thought, writes Dr Dagmar Schmidt Etkin

The shipping industry has started tackling the impact of its CO2 emissions on the environment, but is there a disconnection between shippers and the supply chain? asks John Aitken

Accidents will always happen, but we should not keep repeating them. Mike Compton examines one case and considers what lessons should be learnt

Arising from the MSC Napoli report and supplemented by the MARIN research, under-declared weights of deck containers (or even over-declared weights) can affect the dynamics of the stow and the behaviour of the ship. In extreme cases when aboard in quantity they could affect the safety of the ship. Accordingly, much has been written recently on this subject.

Christopher Blackstone bemoans the inability of the public sector to develop effective transport systems and he outlines an alternative approach