Jordan's ACT adds quay cranes to raise capacity to two million TEU

AQUABA Container Terminal in Jordan, the kingdom's shipping hub for the Red Sea market, has taken delivery of two ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes to meet growing market demand.

This comes as ACT saw container traffic grow by 25 per cent during the first three quarters of 2009. In 2008, container volume at the port increased by 42 per cent compared to the previous year to 600,000 TEU.

STS cranes can handle 18 row post-panamax vessels and perform 30 moves per hour, offering shipping lines cost savings through higher productivity and port capacity, a statement from terminal authorities said.

"We've been working closely with shipping lines to serve their needs for port infrastructure, technology and service levels suited to their market ambitions," said Aqaba Container Terminal's CEO Klaus Laursen.

Aqaba Container Terminal is a joint venture with the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network and the Aqaba Development Corporation.

In December 2009, the Aqaba Container Terminal announced a terminal expansion project, including a 460-metre extension of the quay, to increase annual container capacity to two million TEU. The port's 2009-2013 action plan calls for capital expenditure of US$235 million, bringing total investment since 2006 to $335 million. The 500,000-square-metre facility will double its wharf length to 1000 metres.

Said Aqaba Development Company CEO Shadi Al Majal: "Investing in developing the infrastructure and technology is imperative to ensure our port is the business hub of choice for the logistics and transport sector serving the MENA region and kingdom as a whole."

(Source: www.schednet.com)