CONSTANTA`s ports & shipyards - news

[joce23]

Port of Rotterdam, interested in construction of multi-modal terminals, on Danube

The port of Rotterdam, the biggest in Europe, is interested in the cooperation with the port of Constanta (south-east, Black Sea), for the building of terminals of multi-modal transport on the Danube. In this way, a high volume of goods can be supplied between the two ports, on the Danube-Rhine-Main channel, said on Wednesday head of the council for the promotion of the Port of Rotterdam Wim van Sluis.

"We have come to Romania with ten companies cooperating with us, which are interested, in particular, in rail transport. But we do not forget about the Danube, and we will hold talks with officials from the port of Constanta, to cooperate in the development of multi-modal terminals on the Danube," said Wim van Sluis.
Currently, CFR Marfa Freight Carrier has in its portfolio 24 multi-modal transport terminals, all of them close to big cities in Romania, but only five of them enter a programme of modernization.

"As for the Danube, we have no major problems, but the development of these centers would allow a cut in the time of transiting on navigable routes between the two ports, which now lasts for three weeks. But we have to coordinate the river transport with the rail transport, because, if the first is not possible, for various reasons, because of insufficient depths, or because of very high tonnage, then we can use the railroad," said the official from the port of Rotterdam.

He mentioned that currently, the traffic between the two ports - Rotterdam and Constanta mainly refers to the transport of cars, equipment and grain, but it still is much below the estimated maximum level, taking into account that the port of Constanta, in the case of the development of the river transport and of the modernization of the rail infrastructure in Romania could become a link between Asia and the port of Rotterdam, notably as 40 percent of the Asian goods entering the European market are transiting the Dutch port.
... http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/04/09...als-on-danube/

[joce23]

Two projects of railway capacity development in Constanta Port to start this year

Construction works of a bridge over the Danube-the Black Sea Canal and two projects of railway capacity development in Constanta Port (south-east, at Black Sea) will be launched in 2009, announced on Thursday Romanian Transport Minister Radu Berceanu present in the meeting "Port Development. Construction of Constanta-Rotterdam Logistics Corridor", organized on board of "HNLMS Johan de Witt" ship.

"Following the implementation of these projects we hope that, starting 2014, we will have a fluent navigation throughout the year", he underlined. The Minister of Transport appreciated the Danube as a very important pan-European motorway, designated as Rhine-Main-Danube priority axis, a direct transport link using the navigable thoroughfares connecting the two Europe's poles: Rotterdam Port and Constanta Port.

Despite that, according to transport capacity, at present, the Danube is used just in a proportion of 10-15 percent and there are numerous opportunities to intensify the exchange of goods between the riparian countries.

In this context the Minister of Transport announced that, in 2009, works will be launched in order to improve navigation conditions on Calarasi (south)-Braila (east) sector and, in 2011, on the joint Romanian-Bulgarian sector.

As well, throughout this year, modernization works of the river ports infrastructure will be launched, with priority those where investments are private. As regards the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure priorities, Minister Radu Berceanu reiterated they are modernization of Constanta -Bucharest railway line and of Cernavoda-Constanta (south-east) motorway segment.

Attending the meeting "Port Development. Construction of Constanta -Rotterdam Logistics Corridor" there were President Traian Basescu and Dutch Deputy Minister of Transport Tineke Huizinga.
... http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/04/09...art-this-year/

[joce23]

Basescu: Danube’s potential is undervalued in terms of transportation

The Danube's potential in terms of transportation is currently being undervalued, Romanian President Traian Basescu said on Thursday, on the occasion of the conference 'Port Development. Building of Logistic Corridor Constanta -Rotterdam," being held in the Constanta Port (south-east of Bucharest), on the board of the military transport ship HNLMS Johan de Witt.

'I believe in the next interval Romania and the Netherlands both will have the obligation to support bringing to the attention of the EU and the European Commission, this projects of a great importance and very useful for the future Europe. Moreover, this project is bringing us together, being a real European project, in which other EU member states can participate too, such as Serbia,' the Romanian President said at the conference 'Port Development.

Building of Logistic Corridor Constanta-Rotterdam" held in Constanta, on the board of the military transportation ship HNLMS Johan de Witt. He added that for Romania the transport axis linking Romtterdam to Constanta represents one of the essential means in valuing the transport potential on rivers. In this context , he remarked Danube's transport potential is currently being undervalued.

'If we compare the Rin River and the Danube River we will notice huge differences in terms of how hot the two rivers are valued for transportation. With a 700-km long navigable sector, more than 350 tonnes of merchandise are transported every year on the Rhine, while on a 2,200-km long navigable sector of the Danube there are transported no more than 60-70 million tonnes of merchandise on a yearly basis.
It is clear thus the Danube's potential is undervalued in terms of transportation,' Basescu said.

He added that in order to make this corridor more efficient to use there is need the navigation rules on the two rivers be unified, with such melting together of the rules depending on a political decision.
'We have a commission in charge of the Rhine, a commission in charge of the Danube, each with its own regulation. A political decision to unify them is essential and represents the key of the problem. And it is obvious politicians are the ones that should take care of the matter and not the technicians.

We will thus have to join our efforts at the European level, Romania and the Netherlands and other riparian states to the Rhine and Danube too, to initiate launching of works to unify navigation rules,' Basescu underlined.

He added that 'a political approach of the matter' would create the conditions for Rotterdam and Constanta to become practically connected and to ensure the taking over in their hydrographical basins of other volumes of merchandise too. On the other hand, the Romanian head of state noticed there exists a reticence in approaching such matters.

He also remarked using these transportation routes could allow the reducing of the pollution level on the roads in Europe too. 'The Danube, taking into account the low level in terms of use of capacity to take over transport volumes represents a huge resource for diminishing road traffic and I don't believe there exists a better solution from the viewpoint of diminishing the pollution level generated by road transportation than using the river waters for transport,' Basescu said, adding that the energy efficiency would be lower too on waters.

Moreover, the President noticed the important infrastructure existing on the Romanian shore of the Danube, adding there is need of upgrading too. Thus , he reminded Romania owns 1,075 kilometres of Danube, in partnership with Serbia and Bulgaria , and that along the Romanian Danube 'the development of the ports is quite impressive.'

At the end, Basescu drew attention on the fact that the transport axis No. 18, linking the Black Sea to the North Sea has a strategic importance too, as it might represent an alternative source in the future to the energy resources movement.
... http://www.financiarul.ro/2009/04/09...ransportation/

[joce23]

Inter-Modal Transport situation & potential in Romania; a demand side approach
by Robin Martens, Archicom (.pdf file)

[joce23]

Daewoo Mangalia’s forecasts stagnation in 2009 and 40% rise in 2010

The Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries (DMHI) shipyard, owned by Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, world leader on the ship construction market, and the Romanian state, through the former “2 Mai” Mangalia shipyard, estimates its business will stagnate this year at the €600 million level registered in 2008, but it expects a 40 percent rise in 2010.

“I think that we will register a €1-2 million annual increase on the new construction segment in 2009, while investments will not exceed €60 million,” DMHI’s General Manager, Vasile Iorga, told Business Standard exclusively. This stagnation is the result of the global financial crisis.

Iorga explained that, in times of crisis, nobody wants their ship sooner, everybody wants it later, if possible, or not at all. “Some ship owners wanted to terminate contracts, although we manage to negotiate postponements in the end,” the General Manager added. The Mangalia shipyard plans to deliver five ships this year, after delaying the construction of three ships by 3-6 months.

DMHI’s plans include delivering nine ships in 2010, which means a 40 percent increase in net sales, to some €800 mln. Although forecasts are positive in terms of turnover, Iorga showed his concern for the lack of orders at the beginning of 2009. “No contracts have been signed this year, and we have no prospects for signing any. The market is dead from this standpoint,” the company official said. Iorga added that, if things continue at the same pace, and the company does not sign a contract by the first quarter of 2010, the shipyard will enter a restructuring process.
... http://www.standard.ro/articol_89128...e_in_2010.html

[joce23]

Launch of Inter-Modal Rail Service Constanta–Rotterdam

Constanta- 14 Aprilie 2009 - CONSTANŢA Today it is officially announced that in the fourth quarter of 2009 the fourth weekly inter-modal train service between the Netherlands and Romania will be implemented.

This concerns the implementation launch of the European Union support RETRACK project to connect the ports of Constanţa and Rotterdam. The launch is building upon the successful development in the last years by Centrum Transport of an inter-modal rail service between the Benelux countries and Romania.

With the, by the European Union agreed upon, joining of the Centrum Transport service with the companies part of the RETRACK project, an important step can be made to further inter-modalize the transport within the Constanţa-Rotterdam corridor.

The European Gateways Platform had an initiating and instrumental role in the joining of the Centrum Transport service with the RETRACK project, and sees this as an important building block for the further inter-modalization of transport on the Constanţa-Rotterdam corridor.

The target is to double the amount of trucks taken from the road from the current amount of 10,000 trucks per year to 20,000 by the end of 2010. This means a significant contribution to the environment.

On the total route several inter-modal terminals will be used. The parent company of Centrum Transport, Groep H.Essers, will work in close collaboration with the Romanian authorities to select terminals in Romania, as this service can form a fundamental building block for enhancing inter-modal transport in Romania by rail.
... http://www.comunicatedepresa.ro/Laun...erdam~NTA1ODM=

[joce23]

Source: PORT STATISTICS

[joce23]

Constanta Shipyard delivered a €39 mln ship in Q1

The Constanta Shipyard, the second-largest shipyard in Romania in terms of 2008 turnover, expects a significant increase in revenues in this year’s first quarter compared to the first three months of 2008, considering that the shipyard is about to receive $50 million (€38.6 mln) for delivery of a ship, according to Radu Rusen, the company’s General Manager.

“This year, we have delivered a ship in the first quarter and will deliver another one in the second quarter,” Rusen said, adding that “we build on average 4-4.5 ships annually.”

The company official indicated that the shipyard, controlled by businessman Gheorghe Bosanceanu, is expected to register a 7-10 percent rise in revenues in 2009, while the company’s turnover is forecast to exceed €200 mln in 2009, up 25 percent year-on-year.

There are eight shipyards operating in Romania, including Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries, market leader with some €600 mln in turnover in 2008, Constanta Shipyard, the Korean STX Europe group, and Damen Galati.
... http://www.standard.ro/articol_90414...hip_in_q1.html

[joce23]

Expansion in China is Constanta Shipyard response to the crisis

Omul de afaceri Gheorghe Bosanceanu, care estimeaza afaceri de peste 300 mil. ₤ in 2009, nu exclude posibilitatea de achizitii pe termen mediu. Bosanceanu, actionar majoritar al Santierului Naval Constanta si al grupului de firme Histria, considera ca actualul context economic aduce o serie de oportunitati de business pe care un antreprenor nu ar trebui sa le rateze daca are la dispozitie lichiditati sau surse sigure de finantare.
...
Anul trecut ati deschis o reprezentanta in Shanghai pentru Santierul Naval Constanta. Cum merg lucrurile acolo?

Reprezentanta din China functioneaza. Avem peste 100 de chinezi care lucreaza pe santierul naval de acolo de cateva luni. Deja facem importuri de tabla si alte materiale din China, la preturi mult mai avantajoase decat cele pe care le-am obtine pe piata romaneasca. Reprezentanta din Shanghai este unul dintre raspunsurile noastre la actuala conjunctura financiara. Cautand sa accesam o piata de pe care sa ne aprovizionam cu o parte din produsele pe care noi le integram in proiectele finite pe care le avem pe piete mai ieftine, mai competitive. Era necesar, pentru ca noi intram in competitie cu piata chineza, cu piata coreeana, care-si asigura o mare parte din resurse din China, cu piata japoneza, care si ea isi asigura mare parte din resurse din China. Si noi a trebuit sa facem acelasi lucru.

Fiind unul dintre proiectele noi, intentionati sa-l redimensionati?

Nu, din contra, va fi extins. China va fi o piata din ce in ce mai importanta pentru noi, pentru ca ne asigura resursele.
... ... http://www.standard.ro/articol_91733..._la_criza.html

[joce23]

The largest bulk carrier built in the Black Sea area

Daewoo Mangalia Shipyard has completed the construction of the 180.000dwt bulk carrier STELLA. The christening ceremony for the ship was held at Mangalia yesterday. STELLA is the largest ever bulk carrier in tonnage capacity built in the Black Sea area, measuring almost 300 metres long, 45 metres wide and 24,7 metres high. The bulk carrier has a navigation speed of 15.4 knots.





* pics source: http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/...d=6706&forum=1

[joce23]

• DP WORLD CONSTANTA - Global Ports Connecting Global Markets (.pdf)

• CERONAV CONSTANTA- Objectives and future perspectives (.pdf)

http://www.iptc-online.net/

[joce23]

GSP (Grup Servicii Petroliere) extends Black Sea yard

CONSTANTA, Romania -- Grup Servici Petroliere (GSP) has opened a new harborside facility at its offshore construction yard on the Black Sea coast.
The $10 million, 38,600 sq m (415,487 sq ft) facility in Constanta Sud – Agigea port includes a 372-m (1,220-ft) long quay. Other features are a 2,720 sq m (29,278 sq ft) multi-purpose workshop and general infrastructure, allowing the company to perform extended offshore pre-fabrication and construction work.
The workshop is equipped with two 20 + 5-ton (18 + 4.5-metric ton) gantries running on a range of 130 m (426 ft). The shipyards incorporate five Liebherr crawler cranes and advanced welding stations.

First offshore work is an EPIC contract, awarded by Turkish state company TPAO, for the second development phase of the Akcakoca gas field in the Turkish Black Sea. GSP is supplying one 1,600-ton (1,451-metric-ton) steel jacket and a 1,400-ton (1,270-metric ton) dual-deck topside.

Recently GSP completed upgrade work on its GSP Saturn jackup, which immediately left Constanta to perform a series of drilling contracts in the Turkish sector. The first assignment, for Toreador, is exploratory drilling on the Igneada field.

The rig was converted from a slot-type into a cantilever-type jackup with a 2,000-ton (1,814-metric ton) variable hull load, the process supervised by ABS.

According to GSP, the Saturn can now drill up to 27 wells on the same location, a productivity increase of almost 67%, thanks to its cantilever beam being extendable beyond the rig to reach a drilling envelope of 55 x 20 ft (180 x 65.6 ft). A slot-type rig can only drill nine wells on the same location.

GSP has also installed a Bottle neck-type dynamic derrick with improved features, designed by Euroned Engineering and assembled at the Upetrom – 1 Mai yard in Romania.
Other new features include 7,500 psi mud pumps, a 15,000 psi HP/HT choke manifold, upgraded mud and control systems, new Amclyde pedestal cranes, and a new AC power supply and distribution system which should incur much lower maintenance costs.

GSP will continue its upgrade and modernization program with its GBP Bigfoot 1 derrick/pipelay barge and its GSP Neptun shear-leg crane vessel, the new investments estimated at $100 million.

Finally, the company has just won two more contracts for offshore support services in the region. The supply vessel GSP Licorn will provide marine oilfield services and crew transportation to the GSP Prometeu, which is drilling the Kaliakra 2 well for Melrose Resources on the Bulgarian shelf.

The DP2, AHTS support vessel GSP Queen will perform similar duties for the GSP Saturn for the Igneada program.
.... http://www.offshore-mag.com/index/ar...nds_black.html

[joce23]

The traffic of cereals increased spectacularly in the first six months of this year.

In the first six months of this year was recorded a spectacular increase in grain traffic through the ports of Constanta, Mangalia and Midia. Total traffic recorded during the first six months of 2009 was 5,516,535 tons, compared with the grain traffic during the same period last year. In 2008, at the end of June, 1,383,694 tons had been registered. The quantity of grain exported in the period under review is 2,114,753 tons, compared to 395,959 tons during the same period of 2008. In the first six months of the year, imports were 230,507 tonnes while last year were registered 194,492 tonnes. Thus, the increases recorded are 1,718,794 tons (434.1%) as far as export is concerned and 36,015 tonnes (18.5%) of imports. The transit of cereals recorded in the Romanian maritime ports in the first six months of 2009 is 3,101,944 tons, compared to 730,319 tons during the same period of the previous year. The increase is of 2,371,625 tons, that is 324,7%. The most important quantities of cereals transited through the ports of Constanta, Midia and Mangalia come from Hungary (775,411 tons), Serbia (284,483 tons), Brazil (39,127 tons), and Slovakia (68,495 tons). They have as destination countries such as Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Greece, Syria, Algeria, Cyprus, Ukraine. The transit of the inland waterways in the period under review increased by 1,503,232 tons (from 423,567 tons in 2008 to 1,926,799 tons in 2009). Countries of origin are Hungary (1195.506 tons), Serbia (579,878 tons), Bulgaria (24,474 tons). Cereals have as destination Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria and Ukraine.
... http://www.portofconstantza.com/apmc...36&tip_stire=1

[joce23]

From Eurostat Statistical Books - Panorama of Transport 2009 (.pdf)

[joce23]

Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP) confirms deal for GSP Prince

GSP Prince is due to arrive in Romania in October.
Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP) in Constanta, Romania, has confirmed that it is extending its fleet with a charter for a newbuild DP 2 ROV/subsea vessel built in 2009 at Baatbygg Shipyard, in Norway.

GSP Prince was due to be completing sea trials as this was being written. The vessel is outfitted and prepared for subsea duties such as ROV operations (pipeline/route survey), bottom mapping, subsea installation work, diving and intervention support, acting as a mother vessel for AUV/UUV operations, and geotechnical survey. The sea trials were due to be completed by 12 September 2009.

GSP Prince was built under DNV supervision and will be classified +1A1 SF, E0, DYNPOS AUTR, CLEAN, COMF c3-v3, HELDK. NAUT OSV, Ice C ERN 99,99,99. The 85.30m vessel, built to a Skipsteknisk design, the ST253, is equipped for ROV operations, subsea installation work, geotechnical investigation surveys, and light construction.

Said the compnay: "GSP Prince is designed to operate in all weather conditions, presenting excellent manoeuvrability and stationkeeping capabilities. The most modern survey equipment is installed and the systems have full plug and play interconnectivity." GSP Prince has accommodation for 64.

The new vessel is expected to arrive in Constanta on 10 October. GSP Prince will be operated by the company under a bareboat contract with option to acquire the vessel.
... http://www.oilpubs.com/oso/article.asp?v1=8814

[joce23]

The EEA Grants & Norway Grants
Major bilateral project in the maritime field launced in Constanta

On September 3rd, the official launch of the Romanian-Norwegian Maritime Project (RoNoMar) took place at the premises of the Constanta Maritime University in the presence of H.E. Mr. Øystein Hovdkinn, Ambassador of Norway to Romania, and Mr. Laurentiu Lazar, Honorary Consul of Norway to Constanta. The RoNoMar Project is supported by a grant from Norway through the Norwegian Co-operation Programme for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Romania.

The Project Promoter is Constanta Maritime University with Ålesund Knowledge Park (Norway) as the main Partner. The project aims at increasing the competitiveness and potential for wider co-operation of the maritime sector in Romania through the development and implementation of maritime incubator activities and of joint education and research programmes. Three other Norwegian and Romanian institutions will bring their contribution to the project as implementation partners: Ålesund University College (Ålesund), Sivatech AS (Trondheim) and the Naval Academy of Constanta.

“With a financial volume of € 4,7 mill. – of which the Norwegian Government’s contribution represents €4 mill. – this is the 2nd biggest project under the bilateral co-operation programme between our two countries. As far as I understand it is also one of the biggest integrated projects Romania has entered into with other countries in the maritime field – covering business development, education and research activities, all under one bilateral umbrella” stated Ambassador Øystein Hovdkinn.
Presentations of the project and of the importance of the project for the Romanian maritime education and maritime business community were offered by the representatives of the main partners, namely Prof. Dr. Cornel Panait, Rector of Constanta Maritime University , and Mr. Per Erik Dalen, General Manager of Ålesund Knowledge Park, as well as by representatives of all the implementation partners.
More information about the RoNoMar project is available at: http://www.ronomar.ro/.

Source: http://www.norvegia.ro/EEA/RoNoMar.htm

[joce23]

Constantza Port Day in Belgrade

Constantza Port Day in Belgrade, event that reached its second edition, was held on September 24, in the presence of over 150 businessmen from Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia. The first edition was held in 2007 and enjoyed the interest of the Serbian business environment. The role of this action is to promote the opportunities that Constantza Port offers and to identify the most suitable ways of cooperation with Serbian companies. The meeting with the businessmen was attended by the General Manager of the National Company Maritime Ports Administration SA Constantza, Ioan Balan, by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Marin Anton and by the Commercial Relations Manager of NC MPA SA Constantza, Andreea Nistor. The General Manager Ioan Balan emphasized that, in recent years, the cooperation between Serbian ports and The Port of Constantza has grown considerably and is on an upward trend, in the benefit of both parties. The visit of the Serbian President, Boris Tadic, in Constantza port has given an extra signal to the Serbian business environment regarding the potential of the port and its business opportunities. Our collaboration can be even closer, with the common aim of increasing the traffic of goods between the two countries. Constantza Port is a real gateway to the Black Sea countries in Central and Eastern Europe, said Ioan Balan, General Manager of NC MPA SA Constantza. Ionel Constantin, charge d'affaires of the Romanian Embassy in Belgrade, appreciated the initiative of Constantza port to bring together business people from Romania and Serbia, in an event that becomes a tradition and which gives the opportunity for new sectors and ways to expand economic relations to be discovered between the two countries. Year 2008 is a good example to highlight the potential of cooperation between Romania and Serbia, the trade volume recording for the first time over one billion dollars, a rise of 39% compared to the previous year. The priorities of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in the field of inland waterways were presented by Marin Anton, Secretary of State. They are focused on implementing the projects meant to assure a minimum water depth of 2.5 m, throughout the year; continuing the works to strengthen the shores on the Danube Black Sea Canal and Poarta Alba Midia Navodari; increasing the efficiency and safety of shipping by developing the river information services. The point of interest of the event was the presentation of the Port of Constantza, held by the General Manager of NC MPA SA Constantza, Ioan Balan. He said that the total traffic of goods between the Port of Constantza and the Serbian ports in the first 8 months of this year exceeds 1.5 million tonnes, out of which 720,000 tons representing grains. It was highlighted that the Danube is the most advantageous route of transportation between Serbia and sea ports and that the Port of Constantza has effectively served, over time, flows of goods coming and going from/to countries of Central and Eastern Europe. With an annual operational capacity of 120 million tonnes, Constantza is a major transit hub for all types of vessels. Total traffic recorded in 2008, almost 62 million tons of goods, represents only half of the operational capacity of the port. Regarding the container traffic, which was 1.4 million TEU in 2008, Constantza port maintains its leading position as the most important hub of the Black Sea. In the last 9 months, Constantza port has recorded the most spectacular growth of traffic for grain, reaching over 7 million tonnes. Transit of the cereals through the port of Constantza increased by approx. 300%, said Ioan Balan. General Manager of Constantza port told the Serbian participants about the COLD project, which regards the establishment of a direct line of containers between Austrian ports and the Port of Constantza. Also, Ioan Balan stressed that this transport routes are strongly supported by the European Union, in order to decongest road traffic by moving traffic on the railways and inland waterways. On this occasion, business people could find out about Constantza port investment projects, their stage of progress and associated costs, showing how it will improve conditions for operators and companies that activate in the port. The 3 most important projects of the port administration were promoted: extension by 1050m of the North Breakwater, extension of the railway system in the river-maritime area of Constantza port and building a bridge over the Danube -Black Sea Canal in the Port of Constantza. The recent initiative promoted by Romania for creating a strategy for the Danube at the European Union level was received with interest by the European Commission, which has a mandate to achieve this objective. A point of interest of this strategy is strengthening the cooperation between countries bordering the Danube, Romania and Serbia being included, mentioned the General Manager of NC MPA SA Constantza. Sinisa Bubnjevic, the representative of the City of Novi Sad, emphasized the common points of the two countries, the Danube being one of them. Recently, the city of Novi Sad signed a protocol with the Chinese partners, and in this context, Constantza port can play an important role in transiting the goods from Serbia. The Port of Constantza emerged as an important factor in developing regional cooperation, with a major role in attracting investment to Serbia. Constantza Port Day in Belgrade was also attended by representatives of the ports Belgrade and Novi Sad (Serbia), Brcko (Bosnia) and Vukovar (Croatia).
... http://www.portofconstantza.com/apmc...43&tip_stire=1

[joce23]

We try to convince our customers that the port of Constanta is a profit driver

One of the few success stories in the port of Constanta is that of Sea Container Group, about which we talked with Isabella Dinu, Marketing and Communication Director.

RBT: What drives the progress of Sea Container Group?

Isabela Dinu: Firstly, we have a solid tradition and a successful team: our business began in 1998 with a handful of people, while today brings together more than 200 professionals.

In the early years, the company worked as a ship agent but the management decided to expand, establishing the companies which make up the group and offer various services: logistics, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, road haulage...

Within the last ten years, we have created strong partnerships with shipping lines, an extensive network of agents in the largest ports of the world and a broad portfolio of customers. Nowadays, Sea Container Group meets its customers with what we like to call ”all inclusive“ services from the five member companies - Sea Container Services, F&J Container Services, Sea Container Shipping, Almatrans and Container Clearance Services. All inclusive services mean that we make everything necessary to bring the cargo to the customer’s warehouse or to another specified destination, saving him of all the efforts.

RBT: All companies in the group seem to have developed around Blue Warehouse, a simple storage building that became a gold mine overnight...

I.D.: The advantages of our services are numerous and cannot come down only to the Blue Warehouse. Firstly, in the maritime transport field we are able to offer customers the best rates on the market, since we work with so many shipping lines and we see into the best transport offer for both import and export. Also, the network that we have all over the world helps us provide prompt and cost-effective services.

Secondly, we try to convince our customers that the port of Constanta can be a real profit driver. For example, customers who need their cargo to be delivered in several places in the country can pay for storage services in Blue Warehouse, which means they lower their costs since they don’t have to leave full containers in a terminal. Unlike other platforms in the port, Blue Warehouse allows storage of goods at lower prices because Sea Container Services is one of the few companies that own, and not lease their port facilities.
... http://www.transport-business.ro/art...it-driver-2242

[joce23]

Brian Thomas, port consultant: The crisis will have delayed adverse effects on port operators

According to Brian Thomas, former director Portworker Development Program undertaken by the International Labor Organization, currently a port consultant, says the current issues raised by diverting the raw material flow are only the first of a series which may radically change the ship transport’s profile.

RBT: What can be done so that the port operators withstand the current hostile economic climate?

Brian Thomas: To start with, the crisis will not be catastrophic for the port operators, but in the shipping business there will be blood. At the moment, there are 10-15% drops in traffic for many ports, but shipping companies have more serious problems and most likely we will see a consolidation of their sector. And if, following the crisis, there will be less shipping companies, they will be stronger, and also will negotiate much tougher contractual relations with port terminals. Accordingly, the crisis will have delayed adverse effects on port operators. Therefore, keeping the existing customers is of utmost importance.

RBT: Is there a need to change the development priorities defined before the crisis - perhaps to focus on removing existing bottlenecks and less on expansion of operating capacity, since the traffic has decreased?

B.T.: I have not noticed such a phenomenon in other countries, but I did find that in other major ports, a large number of investments are postponed.

For Constanta, I think primarily a better promotion should do it. For example, I did know where the port is located, but I would have never suspected that its last year traffic was in excess of 62 million tones. Of course, not only numbers matter: if I would recommend Constanta to a world class port operator, he would ask me about the quality of services here, about labor relations, the regulations, people’s training.
... http://www.transport-business.ro/art...operators-2204

[joce23]

NBR issues silver coin dedicated to centennial anniversary of the Port of Constanta

The National Bank of Romania will launch, for numismatic purposes, a silver coin with a face value of 10 lei and 37mm in diameter dedicated to the centennial anniversary of Port of Constanta.



* sursa foto: Ziua de Constanta

The obverse of the coin displays in the foreground the image of “Mircea” Brig (the training ship of the Romanian Marine), on the right the face value of the coin – 10lei, and above, the image of “Carol I” Lighthouse. In the background, the coin presents a view of the port of Constanta displaying the Orthodox Cathedral on the left and the Casino on the right.

The reverse of the coin displays in the lower half in the foreground a modern commercial vessel and in the background, the silos in the port of Constanta designed by engineer Anghel Saligny. In the upper half there is the inscription “100 DE ANI DE LA INAUGURAREA PORTULUI CONSTANTA 1909”.

The coins are embedded in transparent plastic cases ad will be accompanied by a leaflet in Romanian, English and French.

The selling price for the silver coin is 170/lei without VAT. The numismatic issue comprises 500 coins.

The collector silver coins will be put into circulation on October 7, through the branches of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iasi and Timisoara.
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