Konecranes delivers 14 ASCs to Hutchison Ports BEST
NewsKonecranes has delivered 14 new automated cranes to Hutchison Ports BEST at the Port of Barcelona, which is seeing a 23.6% boost in container traffic thanks to a surge in transshipments.
Barcelona’s H1 2018 traffic result was its best ever for any semester
In terms of total traffic H1 2018 was the best ever in the port’s history, reports the port authority (APB) and consolidates its position “as the fastest growing European port”
During the first half, the port handled 33.8 Mt of cargo, up 17.8% year- on-year, with container traffic up 18% to 1.6M TEU, including a 42% increase in transhipment, liquid bulk up 17.3% to 7.8 Mt and ro-ro trucks and trailers up by 5.6% to 211,000 units
“Companies around us are increasingly seeking to operate internationally,” said APB President Mercè Conesa. “The Port of Barcelona gives them links to a wide range of markets, which makes them more able to compete on the global market.”
The ro-ro section includes goods transported to the Balearic and Canary Islands (up 3%) and freight travelling on so-called “Motorways of the Sea” services (up 10.6%) that shift mode from road to sea. Ropax services connect the Catalan capital with various destinations in Italy and North Africa. In H1 2018, these services resulted in 77,000 fewer trucks on the roads.
New vehicle traffic bounced back after last year’s downward trend, with some 458,000 cars (+5%) handled, both export and import. Exports to various international markets increased by 8%.
As regards hinterland container moves, intermodal rail traffic in H1 2018 was up 10% to 125,000 TEU, while 143,000 cars (+10.6%) cars were also transported by rail. In addition to rail services for export that connect the Port of Barcelona to the main car plants in Spain, a direct connection was also launched between Kornwestheim (Germany) and Barcelona port last March.
The port had net turnover of €86.6M, up 7.3% year-on-year. Net profit was €27.6M, an increase of 26.6%. The operating cash flow for the first half was €49.8M (+ 11.7%). The port’s capacity to generate its own revenues has enabled it to reduce part of the long-term debt it has with the EIB. Having now paid back €22.8M, the Port of Barcelona debt stands at €281.1M.
You just read one of our articles for free
To continue reading, subscribe to WorldCargo News
By subscribing you will have:
- Access to all regular and exclusive content
- Discount on selected events
- Full access to the entire digital archive
- 10x per year Digital Magazine