Smoother trucking

Could boom latch failure have been the problem?

The boom of a container crane collapsed onto a ship during boom down operations

The boom in the container trades is showing no sign of subsiding as shipowners continue to enjoy record earnings. The liner shipping industry can expect 2004 to be a “banner year,” with 2005 also looking strong, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants. In its annual container market review and forecast issued in October, the consultancy said it expected the China-driven container boom to continue. Further, it predicts world trade growing by more than 11 per cent and the total volume of containe

Associated British Ports (ABP) is considering a substantial upgrade to a railhead in Southampton Docks to boost capacity for intermodal rail. However, the etsimated cost exceeds £3 mill due to site difficulties and it may require guarantees from EWS (and GBRf?) if it is to proceed.

Southampton Container Terminals (SCT) has placed an order for five 1 on 1 Sprinter Carriers from Noell Crane Systems, to replace its existing tractor/trailer shuttle between the terminal and the Freightliner railhead, a round trip of around 800m. The road layout to the railhead is being redesigned to optimise the machines’ travel path.

Southampton Container Terminals (SCT) has embarked on a 5-month programme to strengthen one of its four berths (No 205) and dredge it to -15m below chart datum, with the possibility of later deepening to -16m. Once the work is complete SCT will be able to berth three deep-draft ships simultaneously compared to two today.