Rian Mulligan’s Post

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is implementing a recovery plan to improve the efficiency of port infrastructure and operational efficiencies at central region ports. The plan aims to ensure competitiveness by improving efficiency through robust port operations oversight, critical infrastructure delivery, and investment in a reliable marine fleet. The plan includes strategic initiatives for East London, such as deepening and strengthening the N-berth, replacing two graving dock jib cranes for ship repair facilities, and acquiring two tugboats. The N-Berth construction project is set to be completed in October. The plan also includes expanding the automotive terminal berth capacity for modern automotive carriers and taking delivery of two of six additional hydraulic tension mooring units to curb shipping delays caused by inclement weather conditions. The Port of Port Elizabeth will benefit from the completed upgrade of the 1200-tonne slipway and refurbishment of the Dom Pedro Quay, starting in February 2024. The port will also benefit from eight of the 52 hydraulic tension units procured for ports. TNPA's recovery plan aligns with Transnet group's overall plan, which aims to improve operations and financial sustainability while driving efficiency across the business over 18 months to the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

In a recent Pacific Maritime article, Cliff Stewart, our vice president of infrastructure, provided insight into the infrastructure projects that have enhanced capacity and improved commercial ship traffic at the Port of Vancouver. Cliff reinforced that, “our work isn’t possible without the ongoing collaboration with shipping lines, terminals, railways, other supply chain partners and governments helping to ensure infrastructure is used to its full potential.” Read the full Pacific Maritime article and learn more about the infrastructure projects that will continue to enhance capacity and improve commercial ship traffic at the Port of Vancouver and at other ports along the west coast ➡️ https://bit.ly/4exz4SA

𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐲 𝟑𝟏% The Port of Virginia’s newly expanded central rail yard is now fully operational, significantly enhancing the port’s rail capacity to handle 2 million TEUs annually. The $83 million Central Rail Yard project is a key component of the larger $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program aimed at fortifying the port’s infrastructure and capabilities. The expansion includes the addition of new rail tracks and electric cranes, increasing the port’s on-dock rail capacity by 455,000 TEUs annually—an impressive 31% boost. The development enhances the Port of Virginia’s status as a key East Coast trade hub, complementing ongoing improvements like deeper channels and terminal expansions. By 2025, Norfolk Harbor will have the deepest and widest channels on the U.S. East Coast, supporting two-way traffic for the largest vessels, including fully laden Ultra-Large Container Vesssels (ULCVs). Enhancements at Ports America’s Norfolk International Terminal’s (NIT) North Berth, including new cranes and semi-automated systems, will expand capacity to 1.4 million TEUs annually. “Modernizing and expanding the capability at NIT’s central rail yard gives us additional rail capacity ahead of the completion of the first phase of expansion at NIT’s North Berth [in 2025],” said Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “Cargo volumes coming to the US East Coast are steadily increasing and moving the cargo to market by rail, over The Port of Virginia, is smart business.” Construction of the expanded rail yard began in 2022 and was completed on-time and on-budget. The project received substantial financial support, including a $20 million federal grant and another $20 million from the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The funds facilitated the construction of two new rail track bundles and the acquisition of three all-electric cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes. “We are proud to be a steward of this port modernization project contributing a $20 million investment which not only expands the Norfolk International Terminals’ central rail yard, but serves to elevate the entire Port of Virginia as a critical hub for trade on the East Coast,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg.

PPP as the alternative to strategic infrastructure delivery is gaining good traction in the country. With proper Value for Money assessment great times lie ahead for the country.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration issued a March 12 a “Notice of Funding Opportunity” for $500 million in federal fiscal year 2024 funding through Marad’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). #port #infrastructure #maritimeindustry #freight #cargo #shippingindustry #supplychain

AD Ports launches development plans for ports and ferry terminal

Investing in South Carolina's supply chain infrastructure means investing in rail access to South Carolina Ports Inland Port Greer. Construction to double cargo capacity here is almost finished. In the midst of this huge project, Inland Port Greer moved a record number of containers in the month of January. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eKdT-QJh #supplychain #logistics #inlandport #greersc

The 1,643-acre Port of Vancouver is located on the Washington-Oregon border along the Columbia River. The Port adjoins a vibrant core of downtown Vancouver, Washington and is situated directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Port is centered in a major transportation hub; the Columbia River inland waterway connects with north/south and east/west interstate and regional highways. As the second-largest port on the Columbia River and third-largest public port district in Washington, it is a major economic engine for the region with fifty Port tenants employing more than 3,200 people. The Port generates $2.9 billion annually and each year, roughly 400 vessels handle five million tons of cargo. Updating rail infrastructure for 21st-century trains was critical to support port activities and spur future economic development. https://lnkd.in/gGt4HgZg

The Legislature’s backing of #infrastructure funding to support the Louisiana International Terminal builds upon commitments of more than $1.1 billion from the federal government and private sector. The new #terminal (LIT) will be built near Violet, Louisiana, 17 miles downstream from the Crescent City Connection #bridge, removing air draft restrictions for #vessels now #docked at the Port of New Orleans. It will serve vessels of all sizes, significantly improving Louisiana’s #import and #export capacity, promoting strategic #inland #expansion, and allowing container-on-#barge and #intermodal services to flourish.

A planning application the height of 5 double decker buses. £300 million has been spent on 359,000 pages of planning application for the Lower Thames Crossing. Yet it could be scrapped as part of measures to plug the £22 billion "black hole" in government funding. Cancellation of such a major infrastructure project has knock-on effects across the construction industry as major players spread risk across their supply chain. But with the project already costing more "than it cost Norway to not only build the world’s longest road tunnel (the Laerdal tunnel), but also the world’s deepest subsea road tunnel", the Lower Thames Crossing could be a bridge too far. #construction #infrastructure #projectmanagement #constructioncontracts #supplychain