Terminal Operations: Halifax, Oakland, Port Everglades
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The Halifax Port Authority is offering importers and exporters an enhanced web-tracking tool for moving containers through the terminals operated by Ceres-Halifax Inc.and Halterm Container Terminal Ltd. The existing site, Halifax Gets It There, has been updated to include features designed to make it easier for importers and exporters to do business through the Port of Halifax. The enhancements are the direct result of feedback from the market.
The enhanced tool includes container visibility after vessel discharge (import) or before vessel loading (export). The container’s status is tracked as it moves through the supply chain (vessel/terminal/intermodal/truck process).
The enhanced container tracking tool allows importers and exporters to track a container by setting automated alerts that are sent back to them by email or SMS. Users can enter a single container number or upload a larger list of files and identify the specific alerts they wish to receive.
Port of Oakland Sets Plan to Shift Cargo When Terminal Closes
The Port of Oakland has finalized a "continuity plan" to move containerized cargo once a marine terminal closes March 31. Its stated objective is to keep trade flowing and prevent vessel diversions to other ports.
The plan addresses the impending shutdown of Outer Harbor Terminals LLC, formerly known as Ports America Outer Harbor Terminals LLC. The terminal operator has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced it will leave Oakland.
The continuity plan calls for ships that use Outer Harbor Terminal to relocate to berths at adjacent terminals in Oakland. Those terminals will add labor where necessary and open gates nights and weekends to accommodate additional cargo. The port’s governing board has approved a $1.5 million Transition Assistance Program for participating terminals.
Highlights of the Continuity Plan:
Most ships and cargo from Outer Harbor Terminal will relocate to Oakland International Container Terminal in the port’s Middle Harbor. The rest go to another terminal in Outer Harbor - TraPac. Shipping lines are finalizing agreements with the terminals now to move their cargo.
The two terminals will lease additional acreage from the port to accommodate increased container volume. TraPac is finalizing negotiations with the port to lease two additional vessel berths at Outer Harbor Terminal.
The port will provide up to $1.5 million to help participating terminals open night and weekend gates. Extra gate hours are expected to ease peak hour build-up of trucks picking up or dropping off cargo. Terminals must agree to get drivers in and out of the facilities within 75 minutes. A Bluetooth monitoring system will measure how long drivers spend at terminals. Port customers will not be assessed fees for extended gate hours. Oakland International Container Terminal – the port’s largest – has confirmed it will add extra gate hours. Other terminals will follow suit if demand warrants.
Oakland International Container Terminal will transport import containers from its facility every night. They’ll be available at a nearby location for immediate pick-up by truckers.
A Central Valley container depot will open within two weeks for Oakland International Container Terminal cargo. It’ll enable cargo owners – including Valley growers – to pick up or drop off containers without long drives to the port.
"We have three objectives with this plan," said Chris Lytle, the Port’s Executive Director. "We will find a home for all ships that come to Oakland, we will improve cargo-handling processes to move cargo efficiently, and we’ll meet the needs of shippers in Oakland."
King Ocean Renews its Port Everglades Lease Agreement
Marine terminal operator King Ocean Services Limited (Cayman Islands) Inc. has renewed a 20-year lease agreement with Port Everglades. The agreement calls for a minimum 72,000 container lifts annually over the initial 10-year term. The agreement also includes two five-year renewal options.
King Ocean, which operates twice-weekly from Port Everglades with services to Venezuela, Aruba, Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panamá, recently celebrated its 22nd year at Port Everglades.
"King Ocean has established successful business models at Port Everglades that take advantage of the port's robust trade lanes to Latin American and the Caribbean and direct highway access," said Port Everglades Chief Executive & Port Director Steven Cernak, PPM®.
Since beginning operations at Port Everglades in 1994, King Ocean has expanded its marine terminal from the original 22.84-acre site to 41.1 total acres in two locations within the port. In FY2015, King Ocean moved 153,984 TEUs through Port Everglades.
According to the port, King Ocean's minimum throughput guarantee of 72,000 container lifts will support an estimated 385 direct local jobs and 1,021 total jobs statewide and generate more than $69 million in personal income and $6 million in state and local taxes each year. The agreement will also generate approximately $56 million in port revenue during the initial 10 years.
This agreement includes relocating King Ocean's terminal within the port's Southport cargo area during construction of the Southport Turning Notch Extension. The project will lengthen the existing deepwater turn-around area from 900 feet to 2,400 feet, which will allow for up to five new cargo berths. Construction is expected to begin in early 2017 and be completed by the end of 2019.
Port Everglades’ Southport terminal complex
Photo/Port Everglades
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