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BULK TERMINALS
SPRING/SUMMER 2017 international
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ASSOCIATION OF BULK TERMINAL OPERATORS
Competitive advantage
Why trading commodities
in an anti-trade world
is good for shipping
King Coal
How goods such as coal
are helping dry sectors
to bounce back this year
Safe shipping
Are tanker conversions
aimed at serving the bulk
trade fit for purpose?
www.bulkterminals.org
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EDITOR’s letter 1
WE LCOMEBY SANDRA SPEARES
Markets have continued to be turbulent during the past year and while commodities markets
rebounded during the latter part of 2016, the general feeling seems to be the improvement in
market conditions during 2017 is likely to be slower than some might have predicted
Welcome to this first edition of Bulk with a rise in the number of incidents, While this year has seen the delivery
Terminals International. In this, and some of which have ended in tragedy. of newbuildings in the bulk segment
forthcoming editions, we will be Calcium hypochlorite, and the dangers for very large ore carriers, the concern is
covering the issues that matter to bulk of carrying it, has also made a return to whether the VLOC fleet, which includes a
terminal operators. For example, the past the safety agenda, while March saw the substantial number of vessels converted
couple of years have seen considerable foundering of Polaris Shipping’s Stellar from VLCCs to VLOCs, is fit for purpose.
political change and it remains to be Daisy with the loss of 22 members of The potential that ports offer for
seen how this will impact on trading in the 24-man crew, while the ship was investment by finance houses has
bulk commodities. What happens with transporting a cargo of iron ore for been one of the features of the past
the Chinese market is key to trading in commodities giant Vale. year. While investment in shipping
iron ore and coal, with some suggesting may have been a rocky road for private
that the drive by China to improve the While investors, ports do seem to be attracting
situation regarding air pollution might plenty of attention.
mean an opportunity for cleaner- there are With port developments like those
burning energy supplies. in Australia the target of high profile
At the same time, the move to a few deals involving investment houses,
reduce emissions on a global basis – ports present greater opportunities
a global sulphur cap for the shipping
years left to run, the and have a profile that fits investors
industry is only three years away – port of Amsterdam’s planning strategies more closely than
coal trades are liable to be adversely pure shipping does. Rental income from
affected with the move towards target of a coal-free ports seems to be more attractive a
cleaner fuels. While there are a few years proposition in the medium term than
left to run, the port of Amsterdam’s port by 2030 is a relying on the turbulent movement of
target of a coal-free port by 2030 is a freight rates.
strategy that many others are likely to strategy that many Port investment has also been
follow and the port is already reining continuing apace in technological
back transhipments. others are likely to terms, with advances in loading and
As the appetite for shifting bulk unloading equipment, storage and so
cargoes such as iron ore shows no
follow and the port on. Ensuring not only a swift service to
sign of abating, owners and operators is already reining port clients, as well as an efficient and
need to keep a close eye on safety cost effective one, is resulting in many
issues affecting the carriage of bulk back transhipments new technological developments.
cargoes. Cargo liquefaction has been We hope you enjoy this first edition of
one major concern on the agenda, through the port Bulk Terminals International.
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017
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3
CONTENTS
1 editor’s letter 35 covered storage
Welcome to this first edition of Bulk The dangers of liquefaction from
Terminals International insufficient covered storage facilities
6 chief executive 37 bagging equipment
Ian Adams, Chief Executive, ABTO, looks and FIBCS
at a new dawn for the industry The drive towards more eco-friendly and
super-efficient means of bagging
8 industry news
All the latest industry news from 39 Bulker safety
»» p18 across the globe Why recent events have put bulk carrier
safety back on the agenda
16 Viewpoint
Trading commodities in an anti-trade 45 canada
world can be good for shipping, says Commodities investment means
Basil Karatzas of Karatzas Marine Advisors Canada’s ports are generally booming
18 coal trade 48 australia
Is there any light on the horizon as the How private investment indicates a
industry battles through the recession? recognised potential in Australia’s ports
23 Grabs and Cranes 52 netherlands
»» p23 »» p37
Crane developments demand flexibility, Amsterdam port is continuing
safety and environmental friendliness. its’ drive towards a coal-free zone
28 Mechanical Loaders 56 middle east
and Unloaders
Players in the region’s ports sector
Using conveyor systems for handling continue to build investment
complex goods
60 germany
31 Cement trade
Innovative technology, including new
The environmental impact of moving loading systems, comes to the fore
bulk cargoes
64 Events Calendar
33 biomass handling
Upcoming conferences and
Why biomass products play a big part in not-to-be-missed events for all
industry operations those in the industry
»» p39
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017
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BULK TERMINALS
international
Published by
BULK TERMINALS
S P R ING/ SUMMER 2017 international
Editor: Sandra Speares
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ASSOCIATION OF BULK TERMINAL OPERATORS speares1@aol.com
Designer: Justin Ives
justindesign@live.co.uk
Trade craft
Why trading commodities
in an anti-trade world
Sub-editor: Samantha Robinson
is good for shipping Sam.robinson.journalist@gmail.com
Publisher: Bill Robinson
King Coal publisher@bulkterminals.org
How goods such as coal
are helping dry sectors
to bounce back this year
Safe shipping
Are tanker conversions
ABTO
aimed at serving the bulk
trade fit for purpose?
35 Beacon Drive
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 1GG
Chief Executive: Ian Adams
ce@bulkterminals.org
Events: Simon Gutteridge
events@bulkterminals.org
PR: Patrik Wheater
pr@seabournecomms.com
The views expressed in Bulk Terminals International are not
necessarily those of ABTO or the publisher unless expressly stated
www.bulkterminals.org to be such. ABTO disclaims any responsibility for errors or omissions
or their consequences or for advertisements contained in this
magazine and has no legal responsibility to deal with them.
w w w. b u l k t e r m i n a l s .o r g
6 welcome
A NEW DAWN
IAN ADAMS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ABTO
It gives me a great deal of pleasure to write this welcoming
message to our readers. The publication of Bulk Terminals
International represents the start of a new dawn for the industry.
Bulk Terminals International is the first publication of its kind
that is aimed at bulk terminal operators and is the official
publication of the Association of Bulk Terminal Operators (ABTO).
ABTO was formed last year to provide a voice for bulk terminal
operators at a national and international level, providing a forum
for its members to discuss the issues impacting seaborne trade
and the global transportation of bulk commodities.
ABTO encourages the free and frank exchange of opinion to
enable the bulk sector to present a united front in all discussions
with governments, shippers, shipowners and operators to
promote and protect member interests. Bulk Terminals
International provides another platform for the association to
communicate with the membership and other stakeholders.
Representation
Continuing the theme of the purpose of ABTO, one very
important role is that of representation. We have access to
meetings at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) via
member state delegations and other NGO delegations. This
enables us to keep abreast of any developments when they arise
and to discuss them with the delegates at the meetings. We
currently attend the following meetings:
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)
The MSC is the most senior and highest technical committee of
the IMO. It is responsible for regulation on all aspects of safety.
The function of the Maritime Safety Committee is to “consider
any matter within the scope of the Organization concerned with
aids to navigation, construction and equipment of vessels,
manning from a safety standpoint, rules for the prevention of
collisions, handling of dangerous cargoes, maritime safety
procedures and requirements, hydrographic information,
log-books and navigational records, marine casualty
investigations, salvage and rescue and any other matters directly
affecting maritime safety”.
The MSC is responsible for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
Convention. For ABTO, the International Maritime Solid Bulk
Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, which form part of the SOLAS
Convention, is of interest as amendments to the code can
impose requirements on terminal operations.
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017
welcome 7
Marine Environment CCC4 will meet 11 – 15 September not-for-profit organisation dedicated to
Protection Committee (MEPC) 2017. There are currently no papers improving the safety, security,
The MEPC is required to consider any submitted for this meeting except for sustainability, productivity and efficiency
matter within the scope of the the agenda. of cargo handling and goods movement
organisation concerned with prevention Any papers on topics that may have by all modes and through all phases of
and control of pollution from ships. an impact on member’s businesses are national and international supply chains.
MEPC is responsible for considering and available on the member’s section of Port Finance International. The
approving amendments to the the website. leading online journal for the latest
International Convention for the developments in port investment and
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, Bulk Terminals 2017 operations. Featuring editorial content
as modified by the Protocol of 1978, Achieving Efficiency and targeted to industry leaders and experts
which is often referred to as MARPOL Compliance the journal includes daily news, features
73/78 or simply MARPOL. This is the inaugural conference of ABTO. and insight related to port financing
MARPOL consists of six annexes, We are very much looking forward to around the globe.
of which ABTO is monitoring the meeting as many of our members and IMarEST. The Institute of Marine
developments with regards to Annex V potential members in London on Engineering, Science and Technology is
which regulated garbage generated 31 October and 1 November 2017. the first Institute to bring together
on board ships. The programme has some of the best marine engineers, scientists and
Since the revision of Annex V, which speakers available and promises to be technologists into one international
entered into force from 1 January 2013, highly educational in the various topics multi-disciplinary professional body.
cargo residues are now classified as that will be covered. The Nautical Institute. An
garbage. There is still work to be done The first day topics include Markets international representative body for
regarding this issue and will be and Strategic Overview, where we maritime professionals involved in the
featured in later issues of Bulk hope to gain an insight into the future. control of sea-going ships. It provides a
Terminals International. We have an eagerly anticipated wide range of services to enhance the
Biomass session with highly regarded professional standing and knowledge of
Sub-committees speakers explaining how to ensure members who are drawn from all sectors
Both the MSC and the MEPC are terminals are optimised for the handling of the maritime world.
assisted in their work by seven of biomass. The first day will end with MHEA. The Materials Handling
subcommittees. ABTO monitors the sessions on Security and also a short Engineers’ Association supports the
work of one of these sub-committees, technology showcase. technical and commercial interests of UK
Carriage of Cargoes and Containers The opening session on the second day and overseas companies supplying and
(CCC). CCC receives instructions from looks at various aspects of Safety and using bulk handling equipment.
MSC regarding the IMSBC Code and Environmental issues. These cover the The University of Greenwich. The
MEPC with work related to MARPOL. latest developments at IMO, Cargo Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling
It is at the sub-committee stage Sampling, Liquefaction of Cargoes, Technology is internationally recognised
where the resulting regulations can Managing Emissions during Cargo for its expertise in fields associated with
be influenced. Operations, Risk Factors and Modernising bulk particulate handling and in the
Terminals. The afternoon session looks at science and practical application of
Forthcoming Meetings Operational Efficiencies with presentations technologies to deliver improved
MSC 98 is due to meet 7–16 June 2017. from both the Ship and the Terminals process efficiencies.
On this occasion, none of the 111 perspective including lessons that can be SHAPA. The Solids Handling and
papers currently submitted contain learnt from the coal supply chain. Processing Association provides a
anything that will have an impact on Full details of the programme can sound commercial and technical
ABTO members. be found on the website: platform for members, helping them
MEPC 71 will meet 3 – 7 July 2017. www.bulkterminals.org to succeed in today’s challenging
There is a paper submitted here with We are delighted to welcome many economic environment.
proposed 2017 guidelines for the supporting organisations for Bulk I hope that you enjoy this first edition
implementation of MARPOL Annex V. It Terminals 2017: of Bulk Terminals International and I look
does not progress the issue of Harmful ICHCA International. The forward to meeting you at the end of
to the Marine Environment (HME) International Cargo Handling October at Bulk Terminals 2017, for what
cargoes, which is something that will Coordination Association (ICHCA), promises to be a fantastic event and a
have to be addressed in due time. founded in 1952, is an independent, superb opportunity for networking.
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017
8 NEWS
WOR LD NEWS
R OUND-UP
Developments in China will continue to influence the mining industry as far as
demand is concerned. Plus life after Brexit, working towards a fully digital industry,
drone inspections and the latest from the Baltic Exchange
Continued slow global recovery was how much of the reform programme,
the watchword at the recent Anglo- including its ambitious infrastructure
SIR JOHN PARKER, CHAIRMAN
OF ANGLO AMERICAN American AGM. Sir John Parker, plans, of the new and protectionist-
Chairman of Anglo American, told leaning US administration can actually
shareholders that 2016 was a year be achieved, may be a drag anchor on
of continuing slow global economic the global economy for some time to
recovery and even the remarkable come,” he concluded.
acceleration in prices in the second
half for bulk commodities such as life after brexit
metallurgical coal and, to a lesser Trade facilitation, port zones and
extent, iron ore and thermal coal, transport connectivity are to be central
“was still not quite enough for Anglo pillars of the UK Government’s post
American to be able to record a higher Brexit trade and transport strategies
average price for its own basket of according to British Ports Association
products compared to 2015”. Chairman Rodney Lunn.
Developments in China will continue He suggested that ports could play
to influence the mining industy as far a vital role in driving regional and
as demand is concerned, he said. The national economies, although the
country’s growth target for 2017 is set at government must provide the right
6.5% as the country seeks to balance its policy and regulatory framework
economy through a mixture of stimulus and explore investment options
and managed slowdown. for better connecting ports with
“That said, China’s admirable efforts to national networks.
improve air quality may boost demand Mr Lunn, who is also the Chief
for some of the higher-quality and Executive of Shoreham Port, was
cleaner-burning iron ore and coking coal speaking at the Association’s annual
that we are well positioned to supply for lunch. “Ports are highly entrepreneurial.
steel making. They continue to invest in infrastructure,
“Widespread expectations of equipment and their people all at no
continuing slow growth in many cost to the government.
regions of the world outside of Asia, “It is vital that government agrees a
accompanied by uncertainty over post Brexit customs strategy that does
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017NEWS 9
not create lorry parks on roads leading to company’s general operations email emails, siloed Excel files and instant
Ro-Ro ports such as Dover. address and that it would be dealt with messages between players required
“Post Brexit, the BPA will be pushing by an on-duty colleague. for each booking. Built for the modern
for the EU Port Services Regulation The message detailed a request by workplace, companies use Shipamax to
to be repealed. It is unwanted and the charterer to change the discharge improve team collaboration, increase
unnecessary and also let’s look properly port rotation to avoid severe congestion responsiveness to clients and turn data
at the customs free trade proposals at what was originally scheduled to be into their competitive advantage.”
for ports”. the first port of call. The company says it will work with
He added: “If UK ports are going This revised rotation required a clients “to leverage data from existing
to compete with their European reduction in the vessel’s draft to enable it systems — interfacing with your
counterparts, the Government must to discharge at what was now intended voyage management, email clients
push forward with our ‘port zones’ to be the first port of call. or other systems”.
concept to fast track planning Because of the failure to pass on the
decisions and limit the impacts of message, however, the wrong quantity Port Qasim operations underway
environmental designations. of cargo was loaded and there was Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art coal,
“Ports have strong green credentials, no option but to remain with the clinker and cement bulk cargo terminal
but Marine Conservation Zones and original rotation. at Port Qasim is now fully operational
Special Protection Areas in ports will A significant amount of demurrage and has commenced handling port
only hamper port development,” he told was subsequently incurred, which was calls by cargo vessels. Awan Trading
those present. “With the right conditions passed on to the broker and ultimately took a first delivery of coal at Pakistan
ports can grow the economy and push reimbursed by ITIC. International Bulk Terminal Limited
regions forward.” ITIC says a large number of claims (PIBTL) Terminal at Port Qasim recently.
Finally, Mr Lunn welcomed the caused by messages not being PIBTL is a public listed company
Department for Transport’s recently forwarded involve communications quoted on the Pakistan Stock Exchange
announced Port Connectivity Study, but between different offices of the same and the company has invested around
called on the government to invest in broking company. US$285m in the establishment of the
transport schemes to help link up the It urges brokers to ensure that they county’s first and only common use coal,
logistics network: have systems in place to prevent such cement and clinker handling terminal at
“We welcome the new Port errors occurring in their business. the port.
Connectivity Study, but it is vital that The company has a thirty year build,
following this stocktaking exercise shipamax pushes for digital operate and transfer arrangement with
the government invests in good road Pushing shipping into the digital era Port Qasim Authority and has built its
and rail connections to all ports to has always been a tough process and own jetty and is equipped with two coal
ensure that the UK has efficient links most in the industry will remember ship unloading cranes and one cement/
for goods and passengers to help the the markets’ reluctance to take up clinker loading crane and the facility is
economy compete.” paper trading. Now a London-based capable of handling 12 million tons of
company Shipamax is pushing shipping cargo per year with storage yard capacity
ITIC warns of missed instructions to go digital. spread over 62 acres.
International Transport Intermediaries The company has raised $2.5m in The aim is to attract port calls because
Club (ITIC) says communication failings seed funding, which it is planning to of improved cargo handling using the
within shipbrokers’ organisations can spend to continue building its software facilities mechanised services. The aim is
result in important instructions from platform for the shipping industry. also to try and ease congestion at other
principals being overlooked, leading to Backing for the project is coming existing port facilities and also provide
potentially costly claims. from Cherubic Ventures, AME Cloud a service that is not only more efficient,
In its Claims Review, ITIC cites an and FF Angel. but environmentally friendly.
incident in which an off-duty member Founded last year by Fabian
of a tanker broker’s operations staff Blaicher and Jenna Brown, the aim is Drone development
received an individual phone and email to encourage ship brokers, owners and The way ships agents support their
message over the weekend from a operators to stop using email and other customers looks set to be transformed
colleague in a different office, asking for forms which take up a lot of time, with with the news that Wilhelmsen Ships
important instructions regarding the data presented in an unstructured way. Service (WSS) will soon be delivering its
amount of cargo to be loaded to be “Shipamax is on a mission to fix agency essentials via drone.
passed on to. the ship booking experience,” the This much-talked-about technology,
The operations person took no company says. “Shipamax’s vision is to has obvious applications for the
action, having wrongly assumed that become the platform of the industry, shipping industry.Marius Johansen, VP
the message had also been sent to the replacing the thousands of unnecessary Business Solutions & Marketing, WSS
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 201710 NEWS
TANKER OPERATORS COULD General cargo leads Marseille Fos
SEE DRONE INSPECTIONS First-quarter cargo throughput at
leading French port Marseille Fos was
marked by strong growth in general
cargo which totalled 4.98 million tonnes
for an 11% increase on January-March
last year.
Conventional trades jumped 22%
to 0.7m tonnes on the back of steel
products. Dry bulks, largely based on ore
imports for the steel industry, surged
11% in March to finish the quarter
1% ahead on 3.41million tonnes —
signalling a recovery from the 2016
slowdown caused by China’s global
dumping of cheap steel, the conversion
of coal-fired plants to biomass fuel
and a poor harvest. With steel-related
traffic down 4% to 2.13m tonnes
and agro-bulks 67% worse on
0.06m tonnes, the result was driven
Ships Agency explains: “Whether it is coatings. The Plimsoll Award for by a 25% increase in other bulks to
deliveries of critical documents or vital Innovation, awarded by Professional 1.22m tonnes.
medical supplies, tank inspections, or Mariner magazine, recognises the efforts Liquid bulks, dominated by oil
monitoring cargo and stockpile levels, of the group, including Barrier Group, and gas volumes, dropped 10% to
we believe semi-autonomous drone DroneOps, Safinah and a major oil tanker 11.17m tonnes. The oil and gas total
flights can support and further enhance operator, to develop an unmanned of 10.44m tonnes was also down 10%
what our ships agency team can offer aircraft to carry out remote inspections. as refinery conversion and maintenance
our customers”. The project, called RECOMMS, projects saw crude imports fall 25% to
He adds: “Relied upon by owners, (Remote Evaluation of Coatings 5.2m tonnes.
operators, vessels and crew to get spare and Corrosion on Offshore Marine In contrast, refined products soared
parts, medicine, documents, or cash to Structures and Ships), uses virtual reality 22% to 3.29m tonnes, LNG added 5%
master where it needs to be at moment’s technology and semi-autonomous for 1.24m tonnes and LPG was up 4%
notice, drone delivery is a natural operation of a drone to remotely inspect on 0.7m tonnes. Liquid chemicals and
extension of our existing agency ballast tanks, and other difficult to access agro-products also contributed 0.7m
service portfolio”. areas on vessels and offshore structures tonnes, a 12% fall reflecting a five-yearly
Dispensing with the need for launch such as wind farms. maintenance shutdown at the Kem
boats to deliver such essentials to vessels “We’re proud to be part of a project One plant. The three-month cargo total
at anchorage, along with cutting delivery that aims to significantly improve the across all sectors finished 3% down on
times, Johansen estimates drone flights accuracy, efficiency and safety of routine 19.56m tonnes.
will also slash costs. With launch vessels maintenance, and delighted that this XPO Logistics, one of the world’s
typically costing on average US$1500, contribution is being recognised,” said ten largest supply chain providers, is to
he suggests a drone delivery would Michael Hindmarsh, a spokesman for start operations at the end of this year
eventually come down to costing RECOMMS and business development from a new 45,000m2 warehouse in the
just US$150. manager at AkzoNobel. Feuillane logistics zone at the port. The
Launching a large-scale working “Surveys of enclosed spaces and company will be servicing household
pilot project in one of the world’s ballast water tanks are essential and and multimedia products distributor
busiest ports in 2017 — in spite of the increasingly critical for ship and Electro Depot from the first warehouse
complexity of global aviation rules and offshore asset owners. However, in a 185,000m2 scheme by developer
restrictions placed on unmanned aerial inspecting these areas thoroughly can Idec Life.
vehicles — for WSS, drone delivery is require working at height, entering Added to the XPO site, a 60,000m2
very much here to stay. poorly lit or confined spaces and Distriport project agreed in January
Meanwhile, a drone developed to negotiating slippery surfaces, all of with developer Wlife means that
improve maritime safety has earned which are high-risk activities that the warehouse expansion at the port in
an innovation award for a partnership maritime industry is keen to address. Q1 2017 has already outstripped last
comprising AkzoNobel’s Marine Coatings Drone technology is the ideal solution year’s 70,000m2 total, with more to be
Business, the supplier of International for mitigating the risks involved.” announced in Q2.
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017NEWS 11
BALTIC EXCHANGE CHIEF
EXECUTIVE MARK JACKSON
Baltic Exchange makes ambitious plans
Newly appointed Baltic Exchange Chief Executive Mark Jackson
SOME THINK
has set out the Exchange’s position during MPA Singapore
Maritime and Singapore Iron Ore Weeks.
“The recent acquisition of the Baltic Exchange by the Singapore
LONG-DISTANCE
TRANSPORT IS
Exchange has reinvigorated this key international maritime
institution, allowing us to grow our leadership profile and play a
bigger role than ever in setting standards, building consensus and
leading change in the shipping markets,” he told delegates. INFRASTRUCTURE-
On the regulatory side, the Baltic Code currently contains
INTENSIVE.
WE THINK
guidance for shipbrokers, owners and charterers, highlighting
best and unacceptable practices and underpins its dispute
resolution service. The Baltic Exchange intends to enhance the
Code to provide greater clarity on the role of the shipbroker and DIFFERENT.
raise global freight trading standards.
The Baltic Exchange has ambitious plans for assisting in the Transporting materials from remote locations has traditionally
development of a digital maritime market infrastructure to required significant infrastructure investments in road or rail
integrate the risk management of cargo and freight. This will links, vehicles, personnel and fuel. BEUMER offers an
economical, efficient and environmental alternative –
involve working with the industry to develop tools that deliver long-distance overland conveying. This gives you a dedicated,
real-time cargo and freight contract management, messaging around-the-clock transport link at the fraction of the cost
workflows and data standards. As an independent body, the of infrastructure development. The reduced noise and air
Baltic Exchange is able to provide the framework the bulk freight pollution minimises environmental impact and improves
industry needs to develop new tools and standards. personnel safety. Add to that a high degree of design flexibility
and customisation and you can see why overland conveying
Changes to the Baltic Exchange’s data policy were also makes a big difference to operational efficiency and
announced. Compiled using assessments of freight rates and other environmental protection.
data supplied by shipbroker panellists, Baltic Exchange data is used For more information, visit www.beumergroup.com
to settle freight derivative contracts and is increasingly written into
charterparty agreements. The terms of the Baltic’s Data Policy will be
changed to ensure that companies with physical freight contracts
that reference Baltic Exchange data will be required to use a Baltic
Exchange Panellist to calculate the settlement price or prices.
international
BEU_PipeConveyor_BulkTerminalsIntern_86x270_EN.indd 1 19.01.17 17:21
BULK TERMINALS |SPRING/SUMMER 201712
BUILDING
BRIDGES COMPANY NEWS
Gans Cargo Operations is a Rotterdam
headquartered shipping and forward-
ing company, specialised in interna-
tional supply chain logistics. Our pro-
active and innovative thinking allow us
to respond adequately to new develop-
ments. We listen carefully and under-
stand our customers needs, offering
a wide range of tailor made solutions.
We can utilise owned and long term
leased (bulk) storage facilities at stra- Gans Cargo Operations is the eyes and customers for loading / discharging their
tegic locations worldwide and trans- ears on the spot on behalf of her custom- dry bulk cargoes in any Egyptian sea port.
port your cargo to any destination. ers. Our strongly motivated and dedicated
team goes the extra mile to help prevent- In October 2016, we founded Sharaf
Gans Cargo Operations represents almost ing and/ or solving problems by thinking Gans Logistics Services, a joint venture
a century of experience in serving a large in solutions interactively. Our teams are at between Gans Cargo Operations and the
number of multinational customer such your service on a 24/7 basis. Sharaf Group. Headquartered in Dubai,
as BP, Oxbow Energy Solutions, Statoil, this joint venture serves as an agent and
P66, Rain Carbon, Vitol, Emerates Global We strongly believe in building bridges supply chain logistics provider in more
Aluminium, El Nasr Coke & Chemicals, between all parties involved, in order to than 150 ports in the Middle East, Africa
Cemex, Teck Coal, which are all major ensure that both vessel and cargo are and the Indian subcontinent.
players in international dry and liquid handled in a smooth, reliable manner in
bulk markets. line with the expectations of our customers. Within this joint venture, we are devel-
oping a bulk warehouse distribution hub
In March 2015, we founded Gans Egypt (initially 5000 M2) in UAE as a strategic
Logistics Services, a joint venture between stock position to serve the broader region
Gans Cargo Operations and the Naggar with just-in-time deliveries either by truck
Group. Through this joint venture we are or by waterway.
rendering our logistics services as your
supply chain logistics agent in all Egyptian Interested?
seaports and during Suez canal transits. Please visit us at : www.ganscargo.com
for all services and contact details.
We acquired 50.000m2 long-term leased
open pit storage area, which is connected
via river to the port of Alexandria. This area
is managed by our joint venture and is
very suitable to store your bulk products.
Recently, we have purchased four grabs
of 13cbm each, enabling us to rent out
same against a competitive rate to the
geared, but not grab-fitted vessels of our
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 201713
ENSURING NOTHING
GETS SPILLED
COMPANY NEWS
BEUMER supplies belt conveyors that transport bulk material to its
destination quickly, efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner
Whether granular, fragmented Protected right to their destination of different mining companies from the
or cohesive, BEUMER Group belt warehouse to the terminal. With its ability
conveyor systems transport all kinds With their enclosed form, BEUMER pipe to negotiate curves in three dimensions,
of bulk material in a wide variety of conveyors also enable material to be the approximately 3,000m-long con-
industrial sectors. They connect the transported without additional features. veyor can be optimally adapted to suit
production sites of raw materials with Here, conveying downhill in the belt, its routing. Even more importantly, the
processing plants or ports, such as which is formed into a pipe with diam- system prevents the concentrates from
in Callao, Peru. The system prevents eters between 150 and 650mm, and the coming into contact with the environ-
the concentrates coming into contact transportation of different materials on the ment and conveys them to the ship’s holds
with the environment and conveys top and bottom strand are equally possi- without generating dust. The BEUMER
them to the ship’s holds without ble. For textile belts, a guide value for the Group was responsible for the engineer-
generating dust. curve radius is a minimum of 300 x d, and ing and supply, including the steel struc-
for steel rope belts a minimum of 600 x d. ture, supervision of the installation and
The BEUMER Group is a world-leading putting the pipe conveyor into operation.
systems provider for transporting, The capacity is up to 6,000 tonnes per
loading, filling and packaging bulk hour. The material can also be transported Trucks and trains deliver the mining
material. The BEUMER portfolio includes at speeds of up to 6.5 m/s. The gradient commodities from the mines to the ore
curved belt conveyors for the fast and can be up to 30 degrees. Long distances storage yards, from where they are then
reliable transportation of large quantities and very tight curves are possible. And, transported to the open access station.
of material from the quarry or mine to because of its ability to negotiate curves, Here, the concentrates are received by a
the factory or port. These overcome significantly fewer or even no transfer 43m-long feed belt, which transfers them
long distances, steep gradients and tight towers are required, depending on the to the pipe conveyor at a height of six
curves, and can be individually matched length of the conveyor and the possible metres. The feed belt is equipped with a
to the particular task and topography curve radii. This results in substantial cost metal detector and an electromagnet. In
thanks to their ability to negotiate vertical savings for the customer, and allows the this way, there are no metal pieces which
and horizontal bends. BEUMER Group to customise the system can damage the downstream pipe con-
to the individual routing. veyor. At the end of the route, the con-
Depending on the requirements, BEUMER veyor system runs along the seafront to
provides open troughed belt conveyors From engineering to commissioning the transfer tower. Here, the belt opens
for higher throughputs and greater automatically. It transfers the material to
mass flows as well as pipe conveyors As an example, Transportadora Callao SA, another belt conveyor, which conveys the
that protect the bulk material from operator of a special loading terminal at ore to the ship loading system.
environmental influences and at the same the port of Callao/Peru, relies on a BEUMER
time protect the environment from the Group pipe conveyor for the transporta-
conveyed material. tion of zinc, copper and lead concentrates
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 201714
WE LL-
ENGINE ERED
COMPANY NEWS
With a foundation of 50 years of A MAJOR FEED MILL VIEW FROM A COMPETED
EXTENSION BEING INSTALLED PORT PROJECT
experience, Guttridge is a flourishing
IN NORTHERN IRELAND
company, globally respected for
delivering well-engineered, reliable
materials-handling solutions that
continue to anticipate dramatically
changing industrial needs.
It offers tried and tested bulk materials
handling equipment in a wide range of
industries and on a global basis. knowledge we’ve developed from
dealing with a truly diverse spectrum of
We supply everything from single materials over very many years.
machines to fully integrated handling
solutions and we manufacture in both However, we’ve also recently invested
stainless steel and mild steel, producing in a modern powder tester to further
durable equipment for every material strengthen our understanding in this key
and eliminating the risk of contamination, area. This detailed material testing allows
where necessary. However, Guttridge isn’t us to predict material behaviour and
simply an off-the-shelf supplier. What sets flow properties more reliably thus vastly
us apart is our ability to design and build improving our ability to provide “right first
truly bespoke solutions for your specific time” equipment specification. A MIXER THAT WAS USED IN
THE RECYCLING INDUSTRY
application.
Our design and manufacturing practice
Our comprehensive range of bulk materi- similarly focuses on delivery to the cus-
als handling equipment includes: tomer and we continue to invest in the
• Bucket elevators technology needed to achieve excellence.
• Screw conveyors and dischargers We look to become a trusted partner for
• Chain conveyors and dischargers each and every bulk materials handling
• Belt conveyors project and these capabilities make
• Load and discharge hoppers Guttridge a strong and reliable partner for
• Vertical blenders and live bins bulk materials handling projects.
• Ancilliary equipment such as
spoutings and fittings, slide valves Conveying requirements are constantly
and diverters. evolving in terms of scale and the range
of materials handled. We face the chal-
The starting point for any bulk materials lenges these changes bring with con-
handling project is an understanding of siderable enthusiasm and with the drive,
the flow properties of the product. Here, skills and application expertise needed
there is no substitute for experience to deliver cost-effective systems that
and we rely heavily on the wealth of really work.
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 201715
JOIN ABTO
TODAY
Membership of ABTO is available as follows:
»» Full Membership open to Bulk Terminal Operators
»» Associate Membership open to Equipment and Service suppliers
»» Affiliate Membership open to Industry Associations and Institutions
Benefits of Membership
»» Access to key influencers
»» Access to White Papers, reports and regulatory information
»» Subscription to ABTO News
»» Subscription to Bulk Terminals International
»» Discounted conference and event fees
Membership Fees
An annual (calendar year) membership fee is payable as follows:
»» Full Member (GBP per year): £100 (administrative charge only)
»» Associate Member (GBP per year): £1250
»» Affiliate Member (GBP per year): £500
JOIN ABTO
To join the growing ABTO community and influence the bulk sector agenda, visit:
www.bulkterminals.org/join-abto
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 201716 Viewpoint
SILVER LININGS
BY BASIL KARATZAS
Trading commodities in a less efficient, anti-trade world can be good news
for shipping, says the Founder and CEO of Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co
Globalisation and trade have been on around in a world that has become more be considered hopeful news. Shipping
the frontline of political debate in many interconnected (due to technology, but thrives when nations are engaged in
countries — mostly developed countries also due to trade agreements based on trading activity and the more they
— in the past few years. On several the World Trade Organization successes trade, the better. Trading volumes can
occasions, the results of elections for in the past two decades), unspecialised be influenced by management trends,
national governments have revolved labour in developed countries has found such as outsourcing and just-in-time
about the movement of people, goods a much cheaper substitute in developing (JIT) inventory, by economic activity and
and investments across borders. countries, while technology has placed growth, and by the easiness to trade by
The outcome of the Brexit certain aspects of specialised labour in lowering trade barriers and tariffs.
referendum in the UK and the election developed countries in jeopardy. Management trends come and go,
of Donald Trump in the US have been As the lower social strata have not but nothing has changed fundamentally
two conspicuous verdicts against benefited proportionally in the past in this front in the past few years. And,
globalisation, while many other couple of decades, financial hardship has while world economic growth has been
national elections in continental brought anger and even desperation. acceptable (3.5% is projected for 2017 by
Europe have come close to delivering Radical voting patterns have been the IMF), given the circumstances, world
more anti-trade news. considered acceptable in an effort to try trade growth has stalled in the past
In a way, it’s sort of easy to rationalise, to bring back some of the status quo. couple of years. The state of the shipping
at least on the surface, the wave of anti- From the perspective of the shipping industry is a partial result of stalled
globalisation and anti-trade as a hot topic industry (as part of the supply chain trading volumes.
in our days: at the risk of being simplistic, and logistics industries), daily headlines Given the reasonable-to-expect
as information nowadays is freer to move against trade and globalisation cannot scenarios in the near and intermediate
BASIL KARATZAS,
FOUNDER AND CEO OF
KARATZAS MARINE
ADVISORS & CO
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017Viewpoint 17
future, one has to expect that trade will agricultural products which are utilised for if a trip to River Plate in Argentina is fully
be facing hard times, and shipping, as food or feedstock in Mexico. allocated. In other words, all else being
a result, likely cannot expect a much In general, Mexico imports one-fourth equal, this development can double the
brighter future. One of the first actions of all US grain and agricultural exports, ton-mile demand for the grains trade by
President Trump has taken in office has typically ranging from $2 to 3.5bn per sea, which definitely is great news for dry
been to withdraw from the Trans Pacific annum, as per accompanying graph. In bulk shipping and mostly for panamax
Partnership (TPP), while tough talk has other words, in terms of US agricultural and supramax dry bulk vessels.
befallen one of the most consequential and grain exports, Mexico is a very And given a voyage from the US
free trade agreements in the world, the material market for the US farmers. Gulf to Mexico is as short as it can get
North America Free Trade Agreement There have been front page news in for exporting US grains, for US farmers
(NAFTA). Trading quotas, tariffs, border international business newspapers that finding alternative markets, the shipping
adjustment taxes (VAT), countervailing Mexico presently is actively looking to distance will only have to increase.
duties (CVD) cannot be good for trade fulfill, at least partially, their grains import Imagine if Japan, the second largest
and shipping, any logical argument requirements from countries beyond importer of US grains were to be buying
would hold. the US, preferably from countries in more grains from the US, then the ton-
However, an interesting development South America. Given the tension of mile increase is almost fivefold.
has taken place in the past few months the talks north of the Mexican border, At the time of writing this article,
which is worth a closer examination, as any prudent Mexican importer would NAFTA and grains discussions are
it may bring some clarity to a confused like to have a more diversified import a developing story, and several
crystal ball. Free trade agreements base. Exacerbated by news of a bumper permutations of what may happen
make for an efficient and optimised crop season in the US and also overseas, are possible. However, most of these
world, and countries are left to compete Mexico likely will not face major plausible scenarios seem promising
based on their competitive advantage, inconvenience finding new partners in for the dry bulk market, specifically for
as economists would say, focusing on the international market. panamax and supramax vessels, despite
the production of what they are most the aggravating circumstances of trade
competitive at. And, an economically bumper crop seasons discussions and disputes between these
efficient production is followed by Again, exacerbated by bumper crop two neighbouring countries.
economically efficient trade and seasons worldwide and historically very We believe that talk and actions
shipment to the consumer, for the high stockpiles of grains, developing of anti-globalisation and anti-trade,
optimal economic outcome. After all, new markets or finding new markets although they can have a negative impact
trade is based on the premise of optimal to replace the lost exports to Mexico, on trading volumes, they may well create
economic outcome. it can be very critical for the US a very inefficient world where, just like US
But, what if there were trade barriers? farmers. So much so, that there have grains exports to Mexico, raw materials
Could trade barriers make for a less been, again, front page news in the and commodities will have to be shipped
efficient supply chain which, in its international business press that US around the globe as established, efficient
inefficiency, can actually be good for farmers have been very concerned trading patterns are disturbed, and
shipping? Possibly for trades of raw potentially losing the Mexican market. buyers and sellers have to go to greater
material and commodities where there Once again, this is another example lengths to trade. Greater lengths and
is little substitute and trade has to go on, that our (trading) world is usually a inefficiency are typically good news from
irrespective of trade barriers? Let’s say for multi-dimensional and not necessarily a shipowner’s perspective seeking to
food and natural resources mainly, but just transactional, flat world. maximise freight revenue.
less for end-consumer products where As challenging the news as they may There may be after all a silver lining for
the buyer can have greater flexibility. have been for the US farmers and the shipping, or at least certain segments of
Besides the border wall talks between trading representatives of the US and shipping, in a world that calls for higher
the US and Mexico, NAFTA seems to Mexico, examining the developments barriers to trade – and an environment
be another contentious point as there from a strictly shipping point of view, that hopefully will not evolve to outright
is a US$60bn trade balance surplus one has to be very pleased. US grains are trading wars which of course would be
in favour of Mexico. There have been primarily exported from the US Gulf ports detrimental for trade, and shipping.
reports that the Trump Administration of New Orleans and Houston, and a trip to Basil M Karatzas is the Founder and CEO
has come extremely close to, at least Mexico by sea is shorter than a week. of Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co, a New
once, unilaterally withdrawing from If Mexico follows through with its York-based shipping finance advisory and
NAFTA. While lots of finished products announcements and substitute its US ship brokerage firm working primarily with
flow northbound from Mexico, the grain imports with imports from South financial institutions active in the maritime
country traditionally has been the America, now the voyage by sea is at least industry. For more information, visit:
biggest importer of US grains and other twice as long, typically lasting two weeks, www.karatzas.com or call +1 212 380 3700
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 201718 coal trades
The bulk
sector
has been
hoping that
improvement
will continue
this year
and that the
green shoots
of recovery
do not wither
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017coal trades 19
POWER
PLAY
As the industry continues to battle through the economic
recession, last year saw record daily lows for the cost of
transporting cargoes such as coal by sea
Operators in the bulk cargo saw rates “What is interesting, though, is that
continue to fall short of the cost of the market bottomed in February
operating vessels in the depressed this year and has since been steadily
market. Shipping’s fatal flaw of ordering improving because of fundamental
more ships and thus causing major improvement in demand and supply
over-capacity in the market as a dynamics. Demand, in particular, has
result continue. been resilient and has surprised on
With indications late last year of the the upside.
dry bulk index on the rise, the bulk sector “The biggest surprise was the rise
has been hoping that improvement will in Chinese coal imports, which had
continue this year and that the green been on a decline for the last two to
shoots of recovery do not wither. three years. The Chinese government’s
Analysts have, however, raised decision to shutter 10% of domestic
concerns that changing political steam coal production that was
conditions might lead to moves inefficient was a key driver of the
towards trade protection, which increase in imports.”
would adversely affect shipping as As Pioneer pointed out in its annual
an international business and restrict statement, the Chinese, in particular,
growth and that this would offset the have been pumping money into
improvement in commodity price infrastructure projects and that is
levels. For 2017 as a whole, BIMCO having an effect on the steel
expects only minor demand growth consumption side.
for seaborne coal, BIMCO senior analyst On the coal front as well, Chinese
Peter Sand said recently. hydro-electric power generation has
Commenting on the market position stabilised and there are still new coal-
last year, Pankaj Khanna, Chief Executive fired power plants coming on stream.
Officer of Pioneer Marine, said: “2016 will That is not only true in China but also for
be remembered as the worst year for dry example in India and Vietnam.
bulk owners in almost 40 years. No one From January to December 2016
in the industry had foreseen the extent China’s coal import volumes were
or the depth of the downturn we have “higher than expected, but as Indonesian
experienced since the second quarter of exporters grabbed the lion’s share of
2014. The prior period of 2011-13, which the demand growth, the dry bulk sector
was thought of as the recession, now could not reap the full benefit of this
seems a good market in comparison. upside,” BIMCO said in its latest analysis.
BULK TERMINALS international |SPRING/SUMMER 2017You can also read
