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Hiab, part of Cargotec, has received a large order of EUR 7.3 million for WALTCO tail lifts in the US from a national discount retailer.

The order was booked in Cargotec’s Q1 2024 orders received with the majority of the equipment being delivered during H1 2024.

The longstanding WALTCO customer has several thousands of stores all across the US. The tail lifts ordered will be installed on trailers by bodybuilders and original equipment manufacturers before being delivered to the customer. The trailers will be used to supply their stores with retail goods.

The tail lifts ordered are in the WALTCO WDV series, the market’s premium heavy-duty railgate, offering ease of operation and low maintenance requirements. The platform is conveniently stored over the rear door during travel and can be lowered out of the way for easy dock loading. The WALTCO WDV railgates have added safety features like platform warning lights that automatically flash when the liftgate is in operation and have a slip-resistant platform.

“We are delighted to supply a valued, longstanding customer with this large order. This is a testament to delivering high-quality, reliable and safe products, backed up by market leading technical support and parts availability across all states. The WDV railgates are assembled in our Ohio production plant and can be delivered with short lead times to meet our customer demands,” says James Peck, Director, Business Line Tail Lifts, Hiab.

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On Friday 5 April, the Port of Bilbao will welcome the first two cruise ships of a season in which around 80 such vessels are expected to call at the port, a sizeable figure similar to that of last year.

This not only confirms the interest of the sector in what the Basque Country has to offer in terms of tourism, but also endorses the investment of the Port Authority in infrastructure for cruise ships in Getxo, and is recognition for the customer service provided to the shipping companies and their passengers by those working in the port.

The first cruise ship of the year to arrive, in this case at 07.30, will be the Aurora, of the P&O Cruises cruise line, 270 metres long and arriving from Gijón. An hour later, the 330-metre long Sky Princess, of the Princess Cruises cruise line, will arrive from Málaga. The two companies, both of whom belong to the international Carnival Group, will be represented in Bilbao by Noatum and Transcoma, and will be carrying a combined total of around 5,000 passengers. After spending the day sightseeing in Getxo, Bilbao and the surrounding area, the passengers will return to the cruise ships to depart between 17:00 and 18:00 for La Rochelle and Le Verdon.

Although these are only forecasts and the number of passengers will, as always, only be known shortly before their arrival, it is estimated that this year some 80 cruise ships from 28 different companies, with lengths ranging from 90 to 348 metres, will use the facilities that the Port of Bilbao has in Getxo, and some 150,000 passengers will arrive with them.

If the forecasts are maintained, in 2024 the Carnival Group will call at the port of Bilbao 18 times, exceeding last year’s figures, ten cruise ships will visit us for the first time and shipping companies of the prestige of Princess, Oceania and Royal Caribbean, each of which has scheduled six calls, will once again put their trust in the Port of Bilbao for another season. Likewise, five calls have been scheduled by the Ambassador, Mystic and Regent Seven Seas cruise lines.

Over the course of 2024, two cruise ships will coincide in the port on seven occasions, and in September and October there will be two days on which three will call. It should also be noted that four of them will spend the night in Getxo.

The Port Authority will once again be at Seatrade Cruise Global, the most important trade fair of the cruise industry in the world, to be held in Miami from 8 to 11 April. This international event is attended by more than 10,000 visitors and 80 cruise line companies, At the fair, the Port Authority of Bilbao will be present at Stand 1205 and, in collaboration with Bilbao Tourism, has already arranged meetings with representatives of a dozen cruise companies to showcase what it and the Basque Country have to offer to cruise passengers.

New stand-out developments to be presented at the fair by the Port Authority include the port’s own BilbOPS project to deploy OPS technology at its cruise ship docks, amongst others, for power supply to vessels while they are berthed. This project requires an investment of EUR 78 million, of which EUR 14.2 million will co-funded through a grant from the European Commission.

The BilbOPS project, all the improvement actions taken in recent years and the efforts of all those in the port community who provide service and attend to cruise ships and their passengers – as well as the support and collaboration of Turismo Getxo – have enabled the Port of Bilbao, and by extension the Basque Country, to position itself on the route of the major shipping companies, and to progressively improve passenger comfort and facilities every year.

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Seaway7 has today announced the award of a sizable contract by PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna and Ørsted for the transport and installation of the substations for the Baltica 2 wind farm, offshore Poland.

Seaway7’s scope includes the transport and installation of four substations. Offshore activity is scheduled to take place in 2026 utilising both our heavy lift and heavy transportation vessels.

Baltica 2 is a 50:50 joint venture between PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna and Ørsted. The wind farm, with a capacity of around 1.5 GW, will be located in the Polish sector of the Baltic Sea around 40 kilometres from shore at its closest point.

Maria Eidesvik, VP for Europe and US at Seaway7 said: “This is our second contract award in the emerging Polish market and we are pleased to be taking a role in developing offshore wind in this key location. With this project we also look forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Ørsted on our sixth offshore wind project together”.

The contract is subject to financial close of the project, expected in 2024.

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The Central Oceans team in Ipswich had a busy week last week with the deliveries of several units of new machines for a client in Wales.

All units were delivered from the mainland and arrived safely on site.

The units will are part of a big investment into a long products steel production facility. The investment will bring the facility to a steel production capacity of up to 800,000 tonnes a year.

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Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce the execution of four long-term Time Charter contracts through joint venture companies*¹ with QatarEnergy*².

The joint venture companies have concurrently executed Shipbuilding contracts for 174,000m3 LNG carriers with Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.

QatarEnergy is the world’s largest LNG producer and will allocate the newbuilding vessels to transport LNG around the world.

The newbuilding vessels will be equipped with X-DF2.2 iCER*³, VCR*⁴ and other energy saving devices which will contribute to reduction of GHG emissions and realize the ease of environmental impact by lower fuel consumption in operation.

Additionally, the new building vessels will obtain OCCS-Ready notation from classification society by conducting an evaluation for future installation of the OCCS*⁵, in anticipation of further GHG reduction.

Since the delivery of “Bishu Maru” in 1983 as the first Japanese LNG carrier, “K” LINE has been establishing expertise on LNG transportation and developing its worldwide network for over 40 years.

“K” LINE and QatarEnergy have had long-term relationship through several existing projects. The new four Time Charter contracts will further strengthen the business relationship.

In our Medium-Term Management Plan published in May 2022*⁶, “K” LINE has placed LNG business as one of the top priority areas in the future investment. “K” LINE will further expand long-term contracts and accommodate growing energy demands by responding to various customers’ needs.

*1. It is sponsored by “K” LINE together with Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd.

*2. QatarEnergy is a state energy company of Qatar.

*3. X-DF2.2 iCER is a low speed dual-fuel engine with gas at low pressure and is equipped with exhaust gas recirculation system.

*4. VCR is technology to optimize the compression ratio of the main engine.

*5. OCCS is Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage.

*6. Medium-Term Management Plan (Released on May 9, 2022).

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Express Global Logistics (EXG), member to the Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC) in India, added one more feat to their list of accomplishments by successfully executing the internal shifting of 31 pieces of heavy equipment units for as a part of the Mega PX-PTA project at the Paradip Refinery.

The equipment was delivered in a narrow timeframe to meet the client’s timelines, achieving an extraordinary turnaround time of 5 to 6 hours per piece, showcasing EXG’s commitment, customer-centric approach while maintaining highest standards in safety, and precision.

The equipment, including the Isomar Reactor, Finishing Columns, Power Transformer, Gas Compressor, and Xylene Column, each weighing between 500 ton to 1160 ton with exotic metallurgy, further underscores EXG’s capability to handle complex tasks efficiently.

Among these critical units, the heaviest weighed 1160 ton with dimensions of 74 metres in length, 9.5 metres in width, and 10.3 metres in height. The longest unit movement of 90 meter length weighing 600 ton involved jacking the equipment onto the SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter).

This operation required 56 SPMT axle lines in various configurations, along with 2 power pack units. Additionally, 4 hydraulic jacks with a capacity of 200 ton each, coupled with power packs, were utilised for jacking up the equipment to achieve the necessary axle insertion height. EXG leveraged its own SPMTs and hydraulic jacks, which significantly contributed to cost-effectiveness.

EXG’s exemplary handling of all 31 pieces of this critical equipment during the Mega PX-PTA project at Paradip Refinery underscores the operational team’s expertise and EXG’s commitment to excellence and growth in delivering high-quality solutions to clients.

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DEME is releasing its 2023 Annual Report today, marking the second report since the company’s stock listing in 2022.

As announced at the end of February, the results underscore the company’s solid trajectory, including a notable 22% increase in the orderbook and a record-high turnover of 3.3 billion euros. The year was defined by significant advancements in geographic expansion, the introduction of innovative vessels, substantial growth, and several major wins.

In their joint message in the Annual Report, CEO Luc Vandenbulcke and Chairman Luc Bertrand, emphasise: “We are pleased to say that all of our four segments, Offshore Energy, Dredging & Infra, Environmental and Concessions, have put in a strong performance. Our strategy of leveraging the synergies between them with mutual reinforcement is certainly working.”

“Behind our success is an immense amount of hard work, determination, smart thinking, and ingenuity. Our people are renowned for their inventive, innovative spirit and their commitment. They work every day to ensure we deliver on our promises to our customers worldwide. We would personally like to thank them for the huge efforts they have made in 2023.”

The Annual Report showcases DEME’s commitment to building a better, more liveable world. DEME is at the forefront of the energy transition, actively addressing critical global challenges: climate change, a growing population and urbanisation, increasing maritime trade and environmental issues. The report details our eight key sustainability themes, highlighting our dedication to sustainable performance and the progress achieved throughout the year.

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Bleste Sia introduces its new ‘Bleste Bucket’ bulk handling solution.

The Bleste Bucket is a modern iteration of the traditional bulk grab container, however, this innovative yet simple product improves dry bulk handling for companies looking for efficiency, cost and speed gains.

According to Dinis Hruscovs, Managing Director of the Latvian company, the Bleste Bucket speeds up bulk cargo logistics, especially for terminals, and in a durable way: the bucket is manufactured of a very sturdy quality and with dimensions that suit terminals, trucks, vessels, and (mobile) cranes. “Dump trucks can drive right into the bucket, a unique feature. This means no spill-over onto the pier, reducing waste, dirt and dust in addition to less time and cost spent on cleaning up afterwards. The crane operator then lifts the bucket from the pier onto the vessel to discharge, again with less dust than caused by, for example, orange-peel grabs.”

As MPP vessels often have 30t cranes and the bucket container weighs 10t, its carrying capacity is kept to 20t standard. The Bleste Bucket comes standard with links and chains for immediate hook-up with a crane. However, as the bucket can actually take up 30t of bulk, stronger links and chains can be installed if clients wish to use it at that capacity.

Due to its smart design, there is no need for extra employees or equipment when using the Bleste Bucket – only a crane operator and dump truck driver are needed, perfect for environments where infrastructure or port handling equipment is scarce. Traditionally a bulk grab would need to make multiple rounds to move cargo from a dump truck to a container. Also, when loading a vessel hold, the crane capacity is not fully used. Per cubic meter, the Bleste Bucket providers savings on time spent on loading and discharging, clean-up time and cost, and use of personnel.

The Bleste Bucket is especially useful for scarcely or non-equipped piers, as the Bucket can be handled on a vessel that already has a boom crane which makes for easier handling in those circumstances. In fact, multiple cranes can be used for parallel loading, making it even more cost and time efficient.

This easy to clean container is made from Hardox® steel, a high-quality abrasion and impact resistant material sourced in Sweden and known for its strength and resilience. The steel and its structural properties give the Bleste Bucket excellent strength and durability.

In the African market where many piers and quaysides tend to not be equipped with a crane, the Bleste Bucket is an excellent solution. As the crane and bucket are already on the vessel, all that is needed is for the crane to move the Bleste Bucket on the pier for loading. It’s simple, efficient and fills a need in an emerging market.

After testing, the first Bleste Buckets have already been delivered to launching customers. The company is now ready to ship them to customers worldwide. Bleste Buckets can be produced on demand within one month.

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The innovative technology, performance and robustness speak heavily in favour of the industrial lift transporters from TII KAMAG.

Dirk Lübbe, in charge of work preparation for internal vehicle maintenance at steel producer Peiner Träger, also praised the ongoing development process of the vehicles, their cost-effectiveness as well as the service and spare parts supply.

Triple strength – this is the formula for success behind the collaboration between Peiner Träger and TII KAMAG, the TII Group subsidiary and industry expert for in-plant logistics. “Strong technology, strong performance, strong partnership!” is how Dirk Lübbe, responsible for work preparation for internal vehicle maintenance at Peiner Träger, described the decision to purchase KAMAG industrial lift transporters (IHT) – a supplier-customer relationship that has existed for several decades now. The steel producer has relied on transport solutions from TII KAMAG since 1984. The Salzgitter AG subsidiary transports various types of steel beams and sheet piling with the KAMAG IHT.

Increasingly more efficient and cost-effective: TII KAMAG continues to develop transporters very much in the interests of its customers

In addition to the vehicle performance and robustness, fleet professional Dirk Lübbe praised the fact that the experts at TII KAMAG have continually developed the industrial vehicles and their cost-effectiveness with the interests of its customers at the forefront of the company´s philosophy. As one example, he highlighted the enhanced functionality of the steering programmes: “The introduction of the transverse drive mode for driving under transport pallets from the side has led to an enormous optimisation of our plant logistical operations,” he said.

According to Peiner Träger, another argument in favour of TII KAMAG is the support customers receive from the special vehicle manufacturer’s service and training experts. Ultimately, logistics in a steelworks must run smoothly around the clock in order to avoid costly downtimes. “TII KAMAG offers us a comprehensive range of services and spare parts supply as well as expert on-site training,” said the company. This is what is meant by a cooperative and professional collaboration. Peiner Träger will therefore continue to rely on the TII Group’s products and services in the future according to the vehicle fleet professional.

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In cooperation between WALLENIUS SOL and Stena Line, it is now possible to transport goods directly from Liepāja, Latvia, to Tilbury, UK.

This route includes stops in Travemünde and Zeebrugge/Antwerp. Customers will have the convenience of a single point of contact for the entire freight.

WITH THE RECENT increase to the German road tax rates (MAUT), transporting goods by sea has become an even more cost-effective alternative, offering a more sustainable and economical solution for logistics needs.

By connecting Stena Line´s Liepāja–Travemünde line with the weekly service of WALLENIUS SOL from Travemünde to Zeebrugge, Antwerp, and Tilbury, we can provide our customers with a reliable, one-stop solution for efficient freight booking of their cargo. During transshipment in Travemünde, we keep the cargo on the same equipment, thus avoiding unnecessary transloading.

“This isn’t just a great service for standardised units; it’s perfect for oversized cargo too. Instead of dealing with permits and the high costs of trucking large and heavy cargo, we’re making it easy to shift to seaways. This option also significantly reduces emissions,” says Kai Peränen, Commercial Manager Central and East Europe, WALLENIUS SOL.

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Renewable energy company ENHOL has placed a 51 MW order for the Cascante wind park, to be located in Navarra, Spain.

The contract includes the supply and installation of eight V162-6.2 MW wind turbines delivered in 6.4 MW power mode, as well as a 20-year Active Output Maintenance (AOM) 5000 service agreement.

“We would like to thank our long-term customer ENHOL for their trust in Vestas’ latest technology. We are also glad to see how our EnVentus platform is gaining traction in Spain. We are convinced our latest and more powerful platform will make a strong contribution to Spain’s energy transition over the coming years”, says Vestas Head of Sales Mediterranean, Africa & Middle East, Agustín Sánchez Tembleque.

Turbine delivery is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2024, while commissioning is planned for the first half of 2025.

Upon commissioning, the wind farm will prevent 23,000 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere per year. This is equivalent to removing 15,500 European passenger cars from the road every year.*

Vestas has installed over 5.2 GW of wind energy across more than 140 wind parks in Spain since installing the first turbine in 1991.

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Vedat Serbet has been appointed as Head of Business Development Rail Europe at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

In this newly created position, the logistics expert will further develop the international expansion of rail transportation, establishing new intermodal products and also expanding alternative connections between Europe and China.

To drive forward the strategic expansion of the international and regional rail segment, Hellmann has already appointed Marijo Pesic as Director Product Management Rail Europe and Matthias Köfler as Product Manager Rail East Europe. With Vedat Serbet, who after 13 years with Hellmann was most recently Head of Rail Freight EMEA at Dachser, Hellmann is now adding another expert to its European rail team. The aim is to increasingly offer customers internationally customized, environmentally friendly intermodal products with a focus on rail transport. At the same time, bypass routes are being established via the so-called Middle Corridor across the Caspian Sea in order to sustainably establish rail transport between Europe and Asia.

“At Hellmann, we are constantly developing our rail transports and Vedat has already played an important role in this context in the past. Therefore, we are delighted to have his expertise back on board. By expanding rail connections, we not only enhance our service offerings for customers but also make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions,” says Jens Wollesen, Chief Operating Officer, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

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Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has entered into a joint research and development agreement with NIPPON HAKUYO electronics, ltd. ※1) and OPT Gate Co., LTD. (※2) for the development of a new fire detection system for vessels, using optical technology.

In recent years, the transportation of electric vehicles in addition to conventional gasoline vehicles has been increasing in car carriers. It is said that lithium-ion batteries installed in electric vehicles tend to rapidly escalate combustion in the event of a fire, making it crucial to detect fires at an earlier stage and to engage in firefighting activities promptly. This research aims to develop a fire detection system that detects fires earlier and with higher accuracy than existing smoke detectors for vessels, addressing the challenges.

“K” LINE is committed to enhancing safety and ship quality management. We will continue to pursue initiatives for safety in navigation utilizing cutting-edge technologies.

Etablished in 1981, taking over the business of the marine equipment division of the Oki Electric Industry Group. They manufacture and sell various electronic products for vessels, including fire detection system, surveillance camera system, marine automatic telephone exchange, marine public address, and clock system.

Established in 2005, the OPT Gate Co. specialize in manufacturing and design of optical products, with focus on the optoelectronics business. They also provide services such as reliability evaluation, analysis, and technical support for optical products.

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Hiab, part of Cargotec, launches a new portfolio of emission-free, quiet electric hybrid crane solutions able to operate using power from both the truck engine and a separate electric power take-off (ePTO).

The battery pack for two of three new models in the third-generation ePTO portfolio from Hiab is integrated on the crane base for easier installation and a more compact size. HIAB wspr is available as an option for mid range HIAB loader cranes in the HiPro range.

“A HIAB wspr solution, operated by electric power, is better for people and the planet as it is emission-free and future proofs businesses for stricter regulations. By being emission-free and near silent it also provides the flexibility to operate in low- or no-emission zones, or late at night, thereby increasing business opportunities. This is also providing a healthier working environment for operators and the communities they serve,” says Mattias Berglund, Director, Global Product Management, Special Applications and Digital Products, Loader Cranes Light & Medium, Hiab.

The Standard model, designed for the larger segment of the market, is integrated on the crane base and is capable of 1–2 days of work for most applications.
The Light Duty model, tailored for drop-off applications, is also integrated into the crane base.

The Heavy Duty model caters to customers who work long hours or require extended periods between charging. It is mounted on the truck chassis.
New space-saving installations and improved operational response

The integrated ePTO installation saves space on the truck frame, ideal for modern vehicles where space is limited. Used on an electric truck, the HIAB wspr solution conserves the truck’s battery to provide maximum range and operation time. When using electric power, the hybrid system delivers strength and precision on par with diesel power but with an improved operational response as it has instant torque similar to an electric vehicle. In the event of a depleted battery, customers can switch to the truck engine to complete the task. The HIAB wspr comes with a two-year warranty, but battery cells have five years. The Standard model is available to order now globally, while the Light Duty and Heavy Duty models will be launched later in 2024.

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