APM Terminals Barcelona has revealed its plans for a recent investment of USD $51.3 million, providing an overview of short- and middle-term projects to representatives in the port community.
Attended by Mercè Conesa, President of the Port of Barcelona, and deputy director of State Ports Javier Martín Santodomingo, the meeting looked ahead to the future following the port’s acquisition of 29 new straddle carriers.
Narcís Pavón, General Manager of APM Terminals Barcelona, said: “These recent investments are part of APM Terminals' strategy to modernize its current fleet and increase equipment capacity and productivity, as well as improving safety at the Barcelona terminal.
“We have renewed our commitment to the Port of Barcelona, equipping ourselves with the latest technology necessary to service the most modern container ships that currently stopover in the Catalan capital.”
Enrique Piqueras, of APM Terminals, discusses the Cartagena Container Terminal in a recent Port Technology technical paper
The terminal received two new Super Post Panamax cranes in April 2019 which are now operational; according to a statement, they are capable of lifting 100 tonnes and allow for ships with 23 containers across the beam to be loaded and unloaded.
In addition to this, APM Terminals Barcelona has increased its reefer capacity by 31% through the installation of reefer racks, a solution which stores refrigerated containers and allows them to be stacked four-high.
With a total of 632 connections now available, and improved electrical capacity across the terminal, Barcelona is now able to deliver much improved services to the reefer segment.
Did you know that at any given time there are usually 20 million containers making their way across the seas? We’re astounded just thinking about it… ������ (Photo from APM Terminals Barcelona) #APMTerminals #Shipping #TopicTuesday pic.twitter.com/6MeYtG1hlf
— APM Terminals (@APMTerminals) July 2, 2019
Another aspect of APM Terminals’ investment is real-time container tracking, and in June 2019 Barcelona received certification from the Spanish Tax Agency to standardize its customs operations.
This allows APM Terminals to offer a container-tracking platform to its customers, highlighting the schedules of vessels and the movement of cargo.
Conesa commented on the increase in transparency this solution will generate: “With this operation, APM Terminals demonstrates its firm commitment to efficiency and to providing greater transparency in the logistics chain, thanks to an innovative service that permits users to see the real-time status of containers.
“Improved energy efficiency of the new equipment will also result in reduced emissions.”
