NEWS
MOVINGON
Relocations and expansions across Europe
New direct train connection between Kiel and Trieste
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he port of Kiel is extending its services in combined traffic with a new direct train connection between Kiel and the Adriatic port of Trieste in Northern Italy. Dr Dirk Claus, managing director at Port of Kiel: “This is a milestone for Kiel as a logistics hub. The train is an ideal link for rapid freight transport between the Baltic and the Eastern Mediterranean Seas.” The destinations of the train – Kiel and Trieste – are equally points of departure for efficient ferry lines to Scandinavia and to Turkey. The direct train connection was initiated by the logistics company EKOL. Stena Line, who transports the goods from and to Sweden with its ships, has accompanied the project right from the start and contributed decisively to its realisation. Last year, there were more than 29,000 unit loads handled via Kiel in combined transport for the first time. At the moment, Kiel is connected via Hamburg-Billwerder to the whole national network by combi-shuttles operating five times a week. In addition, there are five direct train connections a week to Verona. Visit: www.portofkiel.com
Port of Swansea takes delivery of equipment set to boost efficiency
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he second of five highly efficient hydraulic cranes destined for Associated British Ports (ABP) facilities across the UK has arrived at ABP Swansea. Supplied and installed by the country’s largest independent provider of port equipment, Cooper Specialised Handling, the Mantsinen 120M crane is part of a £6 million deal between the two companies. A smaller version of the acclaimed equipment was recently installed at the port operator’s facility in Teignmouth, Devon and it is now unloading 2000T vessels two hours quicker, using less fuel, than the crane it replaced. Tony Rooney, managing director at Cooper Specialised Handling, commented: “We are delighted that the Teignmouth crane is already proving its worth and the equipment that has now arrived in South Wales shares the same HybriLift energy storage and recovery system so we expect similar savings at the Port of Swansea. Covering an area of 521 acres, ABP’s Port of Swansea annually handles over 500,000 tonnes of agribulks, coal, aggregates and project cargo. The port has the capacity to handle vessels of up to 30,000 dwt and the new equipment will be used to improve the efficiency of cargo handling. Visit: www.cooperhandling.com
Hitex International Group expands operations in North America
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itex International Group, a leading global provider of road safety markings and surfacing solutions, has launched Hitex North America. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Hitex North America will provide customers throughout the USA and Canada with innovative, high quality products including
18 Industry Europe
Wärtsilä CSSC joint venture opens new engine factory in China
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SSC Wärtsilä Engine Co Ltd (CWEC), the joint venture company formed between Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has formally opened its new production facilities located at Lingang, Shanghai. The new 20,000m2 production plant is the first in China capable of locally producing large-bore, medium speed diesel and dual-fuel (DF) engines. The plant will also manufacture medium-bore, medium speed diesel and DF engines. Wärtsilä 26, Wärtsilä 32, Wärtsilä 34DF, Wärtsilä 46F and Wärtsilä 46DF engines will be produced at the factory, which has a planned production capacity of 180 engines per year. CWEC has already booked orders for more than 70 engines and is focused on the cruise, ferry, LNG carrier, offshore, special vessel, and large container ship markets, all of which are strategic growth markets for the Chinese shipbuilding sector. “We are extremely pleased to officially open this modern production facility, the first in China capable of producing DF engines, which will serve China’s shipbuilding industry with high quality, technologically advanced Wärtsilä marine engines. It is an honour to be sharing this day with our joint venture partners, CSSC, one of China’s most modern industrial corporations,” commented Wärtsilä’s president & CEO, Jaakko Eskola. Visit: www.wartsila.com
Unique Group brings expertise in hyperbaric oxygen treatment chambers to new healthcare markets
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nique Group, the leading integrated subsea and offshore solution provider, is investing almost €2 million in an innovative healthcare division to bring its 25 years of expertise in hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) chambers to new markets. Headquartered in Rotterdam, Unique Medical Technology will serve the healthcare market across Europe, Middle East and Asia and draw on the experience, knowledge and expertise of the wider Unique Group. Harry Gandhi, chief executive of Unique Group, comments: “There has long been a gap for a genuine hyperbaric specialist company in the medical sector and Unique Medical Technology will fill that space.” The new business will initially focus on the production of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) chambers with integrated critical care monitoring equipment and will also provide specialist training in the use of the technology. Visit: www.uniquegroup.com
preformed markings, high friction surfacing materials, road crack and joint repair systems and decorative road surfacing materials. According to John Lloyd, managing director of Hitex Traffic Safety: “Hitex North America will provide customers across the USA and Canada with easy access to Hitex’s full product range. In addition, by offering the highest level of technical sup-
port, we aim to provide a real alternative to traditional suppliers in these key markets. “Hitex is committed to prioritising the safety and well-being of all highway users with ongoing programmes to develop innovative and cost effective road safety and surfacing solutions that deliver consistently high levels of quality and performance,” added Lloyd. Visit: www.hitexinternational.com
