The Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has announced it will initiate a comprehensive expansion, which will include quay dredging and an upgrade to its state-of-the-art IT systems.
According to a statement, the AGCT, in close cooperation with the Rijeka Port Authority, has drawn up plans for a two-phase dredging scheme to expand Berths 1 and 2 by 130 meters.
The objective is to facilitate the berthing of vessels with a length overall (LOA) of up to 400 meters, and once completed it will see the AGCT become the first terminal in the Northern Adriatic able to vessels with a 20,000 TEU capacity.
Complementing the expansions will be the introduction of new Super Post Panamax cranes with an outreach of at least 24 rows and rubber tyred gantry cranes (RTGs).
A recent Port Technology technical paper looked at transshipment hubs and gateways
Furthermore, work is also advancing on upgrading AGCT’s on-dock rail terminal to offer an annual capacity of 360,000 TEUs per year, the upgraded railyard will feature two new rail-mounted gantries (RMGs) over four rail lines.
The upgraded rail line will be completed in the last quarter of 2019 and the overall development will be finished by the mid-2020s.
Wojciech Szymulewicz, AGCT’s Chief Executive Officer, had this to say: “We have decided to do this against a background of steady demand but, more importantly, to keep pace with the requirements of our clients in terms of both ship size and a rise in intermodal rail activity.
“The capacity expansion will also deliver an overall boost to efficiency levels at the terminal, building upon the strengths we have already established in terms of vessel and truck turnaround as well as intermodal rail connectivity.”
Hans-Ole Madsen, ICTSI Senior Vice President and Regional Head of Europe-Middle East-Africa, said the program will “future proof” the terminal.
“While the volume through AGCT has risen modestly year on year,” he said, “the expansion program will future proof the terminal in terms of both providing new volume capacity for the longer term and meeting new system requirements, notably accommodating bigger vessels and boosting the intermodal rail capability.
“The program has involved close client liaison and study of all relevant market factors, and we are confident AGCT will meet the needs of container lines calling Rijeka and of cargo owners for the foreseeable future.”
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