CONSTANTA`s ports & shipyards - news

[NellyUSA]

GSP CONSTANTA announces modernization plan for jack-up drilling rig GSP Saturn

The four legged self elevating jack-up drilling rig has reached Constanta Port, berth 34, where a complete upgrading process will take place and the rig will be transformed into cantilever under the supervision of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

The programmed investment will be approximately 50 million US dollars.
The upgrading process will last, according to GSP’s project planning, until April 2009. The completion term could be extended only as a direct consequence of the accurate inspection of the immersed areas of the offshore drilling rig.

GSP Saturn was built in 1988 at the Galati Shippyard, based on an “Offshore Co” license, under the technical supervision of the American Bureau of Shipping. The last important modernisation process of the GSP Saturn offshore mobile drilling rig took place in 2004.

The entire modernisation process will be managed by Grup Servicii Petroliere, an authorized producer of naval equipment and service. The works will be executed according to the Technical Regulations for building and classification of maritime vessels. The entire process will comply with the international environmental regulations as well as the GSP’s HSEQ procedures and they will be also carefully observed by all the subcontractors engaged in this project.

GSP is a member of Upetrom Group and it’s headquartered in Constanta Harbour, Romania. GSP is a regional leader in offshore drilling, providing a wide range of offshore drilling and drilling connected services, engineering solutions and technical consultancy. The companies within Upetrom Group have activities in onshore and offshore drilling, oilfield equipment production, design engineering, as well as in the tourism sector. Today, Upetrom Group as more than 6000 employees and is operating worldwide, with representative offices in various countries.

[joce23]

GSP Atlas drilling rig (video presentation):



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Petrom and ExxonMobil to do exploration in the Black Sea

[joce23]

CONSTANTA'S NAVIGABLE CANALS - pics

Locks

Agigea


Agigea


Cernavoda


Agigea


Cernavoda


Navodari


Ovidius


Ovidius



Harbours

Medgidia


Basarabi


Medgidia


Medgidia



Ships on the canal






















Danube-Black Sea Canal, Landscapes

[joce23]

CONSTANTA PORT: A future alternative to the Northern European seaports by using inland waterways transport

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New Service between Asia and Black Sea

Pacific International Lines and Wan Hai Lines are dropping their existing liner service between Asia and the Black Sea because of dire conditions on the trade. According to TradeWinds, they have instead joined forces with Yang Ming Lines, China Shipping Container Lines and K Line who have also been seeking to rationalize their similar service that has been faced with plummeting cargo volumes and freight rates.

All five companies are launching a new combined ABX service linking Shanghai, Ningbo, Shekou, Singapore and Port Klang with Damietta, Istanbul, Constantza, and Ilichevsk.

This rationalized service begins on 15 January 2009 using eight 4,250-TEU containerships. China Shipping will contribute four vessels with the remaining companies each contributing a single ship.
...http://seanews.info/news/news.asp?newsID=1001676

[joce23]

CONSTANTA SOUTH CONTAINER TERMINAL [CSCT]
www.csct.ro

[Le Clerk]

Impecable maintained thread! Awesome job, Joce! Keep it up!

[joce23]

Maersk quits APM’s Constantza hub

APM Terminals is set to mothball its Black Sea container hub at Constantza following the decision by its biggest customer, sister Maersk Line, switched 30,000teu to a neighbouring terminal in the Romanian port.
Opened in 2002, APM Terminals’ 75,000teu capacity terminal at Constantza handled smaller feeder vessels for Maersk Line, in effect its only box line customer.
APM Terminals’ European manager, Martin Poulson, said: “Constantza terminal has lost a large part of its business, with the last vessel call being in the first week of January. The options for the terminal’s future are currently under review.”
Mainline calls by larger vessels for the Danish container line giant were already handled at nearby DP World’s Constanta South Container Terminal (CSCT), a 1.3m teu capacity facility operated by the global ports giant. The remaining Maersk Line feeder traffic will now switch from APM Terminals to CSCT, Poulson confirmed. He was unable to put a figure on the investment so far in Constantza.
... http://lloydslist.com/ll/news/maersk...00BFEA24F3C4EB

[joce23]

Cruise season 2008, predictions for 2009

The number of cruise vessels accomodated in our terminal outran 80 and half of them were maritime ships. Predictions for cruise tourism in 2009 are already promising. The first ship announced to visit Constantza port is Deutschland, in march 2009. For this year, it is estimated that the increasing trend will be maintained, both for ships and passengers of the cruise terminal. Constantza Port is already included on the routes of the Europe’s most important cruise companies. For example, for the year 2010, 17 cruise ships owned by the Princess Cruises Company will include Constantza as a destination on their routes.
... http://www.portofconstantza.com/apmc...35&tip_stire=1

Prospects of the Black Sea – Danube Liner Services
by Robert Schachermayer (.pdf)

CONSTANTA - Gateway to the European Hinterland
by Dallas Hampton (.pdf)

Europe's Rising Star (.pdf file; 2007 stuff)

[joce23]

Two .pdf files:

1.

THE CHANGING STRUCTURE OF THE WORLD SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY
PARIS 4-5 DECEMBER 2008

SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY IN ROMANIA
– CONTINUITY AND COMPETITIVENESS –

2.

DAEWOO MANGALIA HEAVY INDUSTRIES
- FROM HULLS TO COMPLETE VESSELS -

[joce23]

Joint project Romanian-Austrian-Hungarian for navigation on the Danube

Romania, Hungary and Austria intend to launch a project for obtaining European funds from the European Commission, project destined to the common development of the Danube corridor. According to the statement of the foreign affairs minister Cristian Diaconescu, which he made in front of the Commission for foreign policy in the Deputies’ Chamber, there were discussions with the Austrian foreign minister aiming at the drawing up of a joint project to include Hungary as well as regards the Danube. Thus, the project is to be presented to the European Commission. In this way, Cristian Diaconescu mentioned there are hopes the German party support this transport corridor. The Danube is part of the main axis of the transEuropean network Rhine-Main – Danube, to link the North Sea and the Black Sea through Rotterdam, Constantza respectively.
... http://www.actmedia.eu/2009/02/12/to...e+danube/18926

[joce23]

Romania ranks second in Europe in terms of received orders for new ships

Local naval shipyards contracted 11.6 percent of the total orders for new ships in Europe last year. Thus, Romania ranks second in the list of European ship builders, after Germany (27.6 percent), according to data made available to Business Standard by the Romanian Shipbuilders Association (ANCONAV).

The latest global report on the segment shows that, due to the financial crisis, the year 2008 was disastrous for the naval industry overall, as the number of new ship orders dropped 55 percent year-on-year and plunged to a five-year low.
In the final three months of last year, only 104 new contracts were finalized, some 92 percent lower year-on-year.

ANCONAV General Manager, Gelu Stan, estimates that the global naval industry will drop even further this summer. “We are just beginning to feel the financial tsunami,” Stan said. He added that Romania is relatively favored for its low labor cost, which leads local players to hope that they will not have problems this year. “Regardless of the crisis, naval shipyards have the advantage of the orders portfolio. We are secured until 2011,” according to a statement for Business Standard by the General Manager of Constanta Naval Yard, Radu Rusen.
Furthermore, some of the effects of the crisis, such as the depreciation of the leu against the euro and labor market instability, are beneficial for the business in the field. “For a naval shipyard with operations relying 90 percent on exports, exchange rate variations in disfavor of the national currency are a positive thing,” Rusen said.
... http://www.standard.ro/articol_81536...new_ships.html

[joce23]

Comparative analysis of the cargo traffic registered in 2008

The analysis of the traffic and cargo types operated in the ports of Constantza, Midia and Mangalia in 2008, compared to the year 2007, has led to the following conclusions:

The total traffic registered in 2008 in all three ports is 61,837,779 tons. As compared to 2007, an increase of 7.02% - 4,057,864 tons it has been registered.

Total traffic evolution was generated by:
- the increase of river traffic with 5.76% - 619,805 tons

The total traffic growth is sustained mainly by the following cargo types:
- Cereals – increase of 56.66%, a result of the very good crops registered in Romania and in the Central and Eastern European countries
- Iron ore, iron and steel scrap – increase of 48.17%
- Oil products – increase of 9.62%
- Crude oil – increase of 3.18%.

A great importance for Constantza Port is represented by the traffic of metallurgic and iron-and-steel industry, which has registered considerable decreases in the following cargo types:
- Non-ferrous ore and scrap – decrease of 30.54%
- Metallic products – decrease of 42.25%
- Raw or processed minerals – decrease of 24.74%.

Also, chemical products and construction materials have registered decreases:
- cement, lime, prefabricated materials for constructions: decrease of 15.89%
- wood and cork – decrease of 13.93%.

All the maritime traffic components (import, export, transit and inshore navigation) have registered increases.
- Exports have registered 14,190,109 tons, resulting an increase of 9.57% (1,238,959 tons) compared to 2007;
- Imports have registered 23,606,003 tons, resulting an increase of 7.33% (1,611,604 tons) compared to2007
- Maritime transit for 2008 has registered 12,647,675 tons, resulting an increase of 4,79% (578,698 tons).

River traffic has registered 11,385,192 tons, representing an increase of 5.76% (619,805 tons) compared with the previous year. This result was registered due to the increase of river transit with 22.48% (783,703 tons).

Container traffic
In 2008 the amount of operated TEU’s was 1,380,192 tons, representing a decrease of 2.16% (30,452 TEU) compared to 2007, when 1,411,387 TEU were operated, mentioning that for that year an increase of 3.06% (386,979 tons) was registered.
... http://www.portofconstantza.com/apmc...96&tip_stire=1

[joce23]

EU to fund 168M euros for naval projects

Through the Transport Sectoral Operational Programme (TSOP), Romania's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) lodged projects to be financed on EU funds worth 168 million euros. Three projects have been already tabled to be assessed by the EU Commission, MTI officials say. It deals with projects on having a wide dam built in the Constanta Port (Romanian Black Sea shore), whose value is to reach 130 million euros, aimed at increasing the rail capacity of the Agigea harbor zone, worth 18 million euros and having a bridge built cross the Danube- the Black Sea Canal to cost 30 million euros. Other projects could be also funded through TSOP.

For instance, in the second stage of the project on the installation of a modern navigation system on the Danube, worth 13 million euros, after the first stage, was funded on pre-accession money. TSOP funds might also provide up to eight million euros to finance projects on the development of the Black Sea ports and four million euros to the Danube harbors. At the moment, the EU authorities are analyzing the proposal by the Bucharest authorities to support the projects.

The funds might be allocated contingent on the projects the authorities lodged to develop the Danube ports such as Tulcea, Galati, Braila and Giurgiu. Romania has to receive 5.7 billion euros through TSOP, over 2007-2013, but the MTI officials say that our country needs four times more money, namely about 20 billion euros for its infrastructure to reach the EU level.
... http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/02/23...aval-projects/

[Le Clerk]

An old report, but still valid:

EBRD

Romania's Constanta Port set to become eastern Europe's Rotterdam


Cruising along the Black Sea coastline off the eastern shore of Romania, Gheorghe Moldoveanu, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Constanta, breaks into a confident smile that spreads across his sun-kissed face: “I want this to become the Rotterdam of eastern Europe”, he enthuses.

Aspiring to reach the standards of Europe’s largest port may be a dream for many port operators in the east. But for Mr Moldoveanu it goes far beyond just a dream. Already the largest port in the Black Sea, covering around 4,000 hectares, traffic volumes in Constanta are increasing annually by around 8 per cent.

Scores of finger-like cranes spanning the port handle 40 million tonnes a year of coal, oil, metals, grain and other goods on barges and larger vessels. And Constanta has the supreme advantage of location.

“We are at the gateway between the east and the west, says Mr Moldoveanu, and at the heart of the trading route connecting western Europe with the former Communist bloc and Turkey.”

Nestled on the west coast of the Black Sea with direct access to the River Danube it is strategically placed to attract business from its neighbours around the Black Sea and those countries connected to the river, including Austria, Germany, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro and Romania.

An alternative form of transport

With congestion on roads in Austria and Germany through the sheer volume of traffic, river and sea transport is becoming an even more attractive alternative. Riccardo Puliti, Director for Transport at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, says the Port of Constanta is becoming very important for western Europe.

“Roads are clogged and an alternative route is desperately needed to transfer western goods to eastern markets and vice versa,” said Mr Puliti. In some countries limits on the number of trucks being used on roads during weekends are also being imposed, especially on weekends. “The route through the Danube to the Black Sea is becoming very appealing”.

A problem in itself

Mr Moldoveanu is well aware that the port faces the same challenges of increasing sea traffic and over demand. “One problem today is the lack of dock space for barges once they transfer goods,” said Mr Moldoveanu. “They block the port area causing bottlenecks that slow traffic and compromise safety”.

To address that problem and to keep Constanta competitive the EBRD recently lent the port €16 million to build a new barge terminal. A 2,200-metre quay wall will create berths for barges and improve convoy preparations. A small basin will hold pushers and tugboats that would otherwise remain stranded in the port. “The new terminal will streamline port activities, making transport along the river-maritime route more efficient, safer and ultimately benefiting its users, said Mr Puliti”.

Navrom Galati, the Romanian River Shipping Company, the largest user of the port, relies on efficient off-loading for its business. “One of the key successes to our business is for our barges to arrive, dock, drop off goods and leave,” said Constantin Harzan, the General Manager. “The EBRD loan is important in order to organise the port. If the system is better organised it is better for all parties involved, including us, the port and the canals leading into the port”.

Growing through commitment and investment

In spite of growing demand for the port, it is still far from its goal, according to Adina Bas, its Commercial Director. “At its peak in 1986 the port hosted around 200 barges per day for both import and export,” she says with a piercing stare across the port from the boat. “That’s twice the number we have today.”

More than 20 years ago when Romania was a large supplier of industrial goods, around 60 million tonnes of goods passed through the port each year, a third more than today’s load.

“That was history, and now we look to the future. With hard work, the commitment from our staff, the investments we are dedicating to the port and with the support from institutions like the EBRD, within two to three years we expect to exceed the 1986 figure.”

25 October 2004

[Le Clerk]

A recent university paper on the topic:

STRATEGIC ANALISYS OF CARGO TRAFFIC THROUGH
CONSTANTA PORT

[Le Clerk]

Double post.

[joce23]

DP World Constanta Achieves International Security Standard

Global marine terminal operator DP World has achieved the international standard ISO 28000:2007 certification in supply chain security management at its Constanta South Container Terminal on the Black Sea.

The terminal joins a growing list of certified DP World terminals – this certification is the 21st DP World operated terminal to be certified as complying with the independently audited standard for supply chain security management which DP World is rolling out through its global network of terminals. The certification was undertaken and awarded by TUV Rheinland Japan Ltd.

Commenting on the achievement, Rowan Bullock, General Manager of DP World Constanta said, “We are proud and pleased to be the only Black Sea terminal to receive this certification. We are committed to offering the best possible service to our customers and this international recognition of our security management system underlines to our customers that robust systems are in place to provide for the safety of their cargo and people using the terminal facilities. ”

DP World regards security as a core service to its customers and is implementing the international standard throughout its network of 49 terminals.

The ISO 28000 standard sets in place mechanisms and processes to address security vulnerabilities at strategic and operational levels, as well as establish preventive action plans. The certification was granted after a stringent security audit of the facility, focused principally on container security, physical access controls, personnel security, procedural security, security training and threat awareness, business partner requirements and IT Security. The standard complements all international security legislative codes DP World already conforms to at its terminals.

DP World’s investment in the ISO security management system has been recognised by the US Customs Border Protection agency, which has invited DP World to join their Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) programme. DP World is the only global marine terminal operator to have achieved ISO 28000 certification and simultaneous membership of C-TPAT.
... http://www.dubaicityguide.com/geninf...p?newsid=23020

[joce23]

Originally Posted by joce23

Daewoo Mangalia has purchased the largest gantry crane in North America

Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries, a subsidiary of South Korea-based Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, has purchased the 328-foot-tall Goliath crane and will dismantle it and move it to its Romanian shipbuilding site.

And with it a piece of American history as well as a glorious chapter of Quincy’s past will retreat into the shadows.

... http://ledger.southofboston.com/arti...ion/opin01.txt,

QUINCY - It’s 30 stories high, can lift 1,200 tons, is the most prominent remnant of the city’s shipbuilding past - and it’s about to disappear permanently from the Quincy skyline. The Goliath crane, the largest gantry crane in North America, is expected to be dismantled within the next six months and sent to a shipyard in Romania

... http://ledger.southofboston.com/arti...ews/news01.txt

Goliath Crane: Goodbye USA, I'm moving to Romania !




* Spectators along the shore watch as the Allie B. tows the S.S. Harvey and the Goliath crane from Quincy on its way to its new home in Romania. (http://www.wickedlocal.com/quincy/to...ome-in-Romania )

[joce23]

Naval & Maritime
Exhibition Romania
Constanta 7-9 April 2009

Download the brochure here

Since Romania has become a member of NATO and the EU (2005), doing business with Romanian shipbuilders has become an increasingly attractive proposition. With many bureaucratic barriers removed, Romania is now open to a Western market approach with new ideas and investment

Active maritime industry
Over the last 10 years, the Romanian maritime industry has undergone strong development and modernisation. There are now 12 large shipyards in operation involved in the ship repair industry and in the construction of inland navigation ships, multipurpose ships, tankers, Ro-Ro’s, freighters, tugboats, patrol boats, LPG carriers, supply vessels and dredgers to keep the Danube navigational. Some of these shipyards are also involved in the highly lucrative ocean yacht market sector.

... ... http://www.navalandmaritimeexhibition.com/index.htm

Business at the highest level
This exhibition has acquired a unique status as a result of the Royal Netherlands Navy visit and the resulting business opportunities that will be generated. The Constanta Chamber of Commerce will serve as the presiding host and will provide full access to shipbuilders, shipowners and defence specialists. During the first day, there will be a guided tour around the shipyard and a get-acquainted drink on board one of the Dutch Navy vessels. To confirm the importance of this exhibition, the Dutch Ambassador to Romania will preside over the opening, followed by a cocktail party with representatives of the Romanian Navy and Romanian shipbuilders.

[joce23]

Partnership between Navy Leagues of the US and Romania launched in Constanta

President Traian Basescu was present in Constanta yesterday for the launching ceremony of the Partnership of the Navy League of the United States and of Romania, Agerpres informs. The ceremony took place at the ‘Mircea cel Batran’ Naval Academy where the Head of State had actually studied.

In the event programme there were information session on the tradition and role of the Navy League of the us, as well as themes regarding the setting up, mission and objectives of the Black Sea Council. The Council currently includes 25 associations from the United States of America, Romania and Bulgaria. The theme of the event was focused on partnership objectives in support of the maritime and in-land activities. Together with the maritime security agencies, with maritime and defence companies and with the Port of Constanta, the two navy leagues intend to develop their strategic partnership and co-operation to enhance security.

Present at the ceremony were also representatives of the organisations of the American, Romanian and Bulgarian Navy Leagues, representatives of the leadership of the Navy General Staff and of various agencies and companies operating on the maritime and defence sector.
... http://www.nineoclock.ro/index.php?p...20090406-10892