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Oct 03, 2008
Port planning versus economic crisis
Yvo A. Saanen, Managing Director, TBA b.v.
<p>When travelling around the world and visiting ports, I noticed that the financial crisis has not seemed to effect the ports as yet. The papers are full of disaster, but still people keep buying. However, we should still expect that the surge for more capacity will be affected by the problems in the US and in Europe. Maybe the focus will divert to South America and Africa, while Asia keeps developing at a high pace. </p>
I recently visited India, and was impressed by the plans for port development there. The landside infrastructure though, makes me worry. Even if we get all these ports realised, there will be severe difficulties in getting the cargo transported to the factories and consumers. The road network is of such a bad quality and so undersized that all these expected volumes can never be transported over roads (or rail). Despite the crisis (crisis... what crisis?) there is a lot going on in developing fully automated terminals, or converting existing terminals into automated terminals. More and more suppliers are providing the technology to equip these terminals with high speed electrical equipment, and also the software side is finally maturing. In high labour cost countries the plans are the most concrete, but also lower (to lowest) labour cost countries are now looking (seriously) into what we call robotized terminals. Not because of cost saving, but merely because of the increased safety, reduced maintenance, and improved environmental impact of these type of terminals. Besides, also smaller terminals (say below half a million TEUs) are considering full automation, as it still pays off at smaller scale. This trend coincides well with economic pressure to reduce costs. It only requires designs that allow gradual upscaling to avoid large upfront investments. In times that volume may be affected, capital prudence is essential! ABOUT THE BLOGGER Yvo A. Saanen (MSc in Systems Engineering, PhD on the design and simulation of robotised container terminals, both Delft University of Technology) is Managing Director and Founder (1996) of TBA, a leading simulation consultancy company in The Netherlands. He heads the department that supports ports and terminal operators all over the world in their design process of container terminals by means of simulation. During the last 11 years, he has carried out over 50 large terminal design projects, ranging from master planning, process improvement, terminal extensions and transitions, redesign of handling systems, to design of green-field terminals. Examples are APMT’s semi-automated terminal in Portsmouth, and the new Euromax terminal in Rotterdam. Aside from this, Yvo Saanen is a lecturer at Delft University of Technology, Lloyd’s Maritime Academy and the institute of Maritime Economics and Logistics (Erasmus University Rotterdam), teaching simulation and logistics. In various bodies, he lectures about terminal design by means of simulation. ENQUIRIES TBA b.v. Tel: +31 (0) 15 380 5775
 
Intermodal transportation: The next wave?
 Holidays are almost over, for those lucky enough to go on vacation. I spent my time away from the sea, and well above sea level. Just for reassurance. As you might know, the majority of Dutch grounds are below sea level (about 65%), and we keep dry feet by pumping water. Without that, we would build our sandcastle around "Amersfoort at the Sea" (a city some 80km inland).
However, spending time in the Alps, some 800m above sea level, my rectangular box driven mind did not come to a complete standstill, wondering about hinterland transportation.
New Strategy & Development Director appointed at Dunkerque Port
 Jean-Frédéric Laurent has just been appointed Strategy and Development Director of Dunkerque Port, replacing Pierre Joly on his retirement. He is 41. |
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