Asia-US container volumes slide 15.3pc in 2009

SHARJAH Container Terminal (SCT), the first purpose built container terminal in the Middle East, experienced steady import volumes according to Gulftainer which will now be augmented by the launch of a feeder service by Yangming Lines.

The YM XIAMEN weekly service will be serviced by a 350-TEU, 107 metres long. SCT manager Paul Hennessy said of the service, "The ship is easy for us to work and as always, we get first class professional assistance from Yangming and their agents. "

Expansion work is now underway to increase draft to 12.5 metres, add another berth and increase storage/stacking by 30,000 square metres. Renovation of existing Berths 1 and 3 will run alongside strengthening of the quay wall to facilitate dredging work. The berths will boast Mobile Harbour Crane power supply sockets, a new 33kv substation, new bollards and fenders installed along the length of the three berths, and a new interlocked quay surface laid between the seaward and landward rails.

SCT is equipped with two ship-to-shore quay cranes, three 104 tonne Liebherr and Gottwald mobile harbour cranes, four RTG cranes and ample auxiliary container and cargo handling equipment.

(Source: Sea Trade Asia)