Itaqui loads largest-ever soya consignment

In early May, the Brazilian Port of Itaqui loaded its largest ever consignment of soya. This took place at berth 103, where the Kydonia took on board 80,270 tonnes of soya bound for Spain.

The operation took place at Terminal de Graos do Maranhão (Tegram), which said this shipment was the largest it had undertaken since opening in 2015. Prior to the Kydonia, the largest single consignment had amounted to 76,000 tonnes.

The cargo was the responsibility of Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura S.A, which is one of the partners in the Tegram Consortium.

According to Ted Lago, president of the Port of Itaqui, the mooring of the Kydonia demonstrates that Itaqui has the infrastructure to operate with vessels like this and possibly even larger ones too. He added that this was the result of investment that had made the port increasingly efficient and attractive for grain exports.

CLI Operations Director Marcos Pepe Bertoni also made some significant observations. He said three factors made this record shipment possible: improved operational efficiency, specialized dock workers, and the fact that CLI is the only operator whose owner is not a trading or transport company.

Tegram is one of Brazil’s largest grain terminals and exports a lot of domestically produced soya, soya bran and corn from the state of Maranhão.

The arrival of the Kydonia illustrates a change in global trading patterns and the productivity it requires had shown that Tegram is able to handle such vessels. Tegram can now operate across two berths, simultaneous activity, in addition to its operations in the VLI terminal. The port expects to handle more than 13.9mt (million tonnes) of grain this year, with Tegram accounting for 11mt of this. Barry Cross

Nectar helps Oostende in its growth process

Port Oostende and Nectar Group have entered into a co-operation agreement.

Nectar is a major UK-based port operator and expert in cargo handling, with activities in many locations in Africa and Asia. The Group is now taking steps to cement its position as an operator by contributing to the development of trade through the historic port of Oostende and UK. The ambition of Port Oostende is to offer a competitive service with regards to the loading and unloading of ships and to increase its maritime traffic. The arrival of an additional, established operator contributes towards this.

Nectar will occupy a site in the outer port and will invest in handling equipment, including a mobile harbour crane to efficiently load and unload vessels. In the first phase Nectar Group will focus in Oostende on LOLO (lift-on/lift-off) activities primarily related to breakbulk cargo.

Nectar Group has worked in 75 countries and celebrates its 50th anniversary during 2022. The Group handles approximately seven million tonnes of cargo annually. As a major international provider of innovative and cost-effective solutions for handling bulk and breakbulk cargoes, the new company in Belgium will be Nectar’s first operational subsidiary in Europe. It is envisaged that operations will commence this summer.

With the arrival of this independent global player the range of cargo handlers in the port of Oostende is enriched. This is an important step in attracting new additional traffic and contributing to development of bulk and breakbulk cargoes with the UK ports.

Charlotte Verkeyn – Chairman Port Oostende, said: “The arrival of Nectar Group proves that Port Oostende is a good breeding ground for both SMEs and international players. Port Oostende is fully committed to realizing additional traffic and we are confident that this is a step in the right direction. The arrival of Nectar Group will also benefit employment in Oostende.”

Dirk Declerck – CEO and Managing Director Port Oostende, said: “After attracting companies in Plassendale I in recent years, the focus for the coming years will be on attracting new maritime traffic. We are therefore very pleased with the choice of Nectar Group for Port Oostende.”

Han Ozturk – Operational and Technical Director Nectar said: “Nectar Group are delighted to have the opportunity to work together with Port Oostende. We are excited to be playing a part in the next stage of the development of the port through the provision of high class, competitive services to port users. Port’s direct access to sea and Nectar’s presence in the UK will provide opportunities to develop additional breakbulk and bulk trades between Oostende and UK.

PORT OOSTENDE Port Oostende focuses on continuity, sustainable growth markets and employment within five pillars: Blue Economy, Bulk & Project Cargo, Cruises & Roll-On-Roll-Off, Circular Industry and the Fisheries Sector. These sectors are further expanded on the basis of two foundations: prioritizing safety, health and the environment, and secondly, supporting innovation and development.

NECTAR GROUP Nectar Group operates and manages a number of bulk and breakbulk terminals around the world as well as offering a range of value-added solutions for handling bulk cargoes, employing over 350 people globally. Since its inception in 1972, Nectar Group has operated in 165 different locations in 75 countries.