New port mobile crane spearheads entry to container sector

The Port of Kiel handled 2.36 million tons of cargo in the first half of this year, five percent less than in the same period of 2008. Above-average decline was recorded in the breakbulk sector, which was comparatively hard hit by the current economic crisis. Against this background the positive handling trend in ferry traffic since the second quarter has been particularly pleasing. In June breakbulk handling also reached the level of the previous month. Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the Port of Kiel (SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co KG), said, “In the wake of a weak first quarter, one main contributor to handling which is now again showing a positive trend was our entry into the container handling sector. Given the general economic situation, we can be satisfied with this handling result.”

Since mid-March, Kiel has operated a regular container service to and from Riga. The foundation of this is the transport of ferro-alloys, a valuable aggregate supplement for the west European steel industry. “Even if current handling volumes are not as high as expected due to the current economic situation, an important step has nonetheless been taken in the development of the port”, said Dirk Claus. To make container handling possible, a high-capacity port mobile crane was specially acquired. Capable of lifting loads of up to 140 tons, the crane has an outreach of more than 50 meters. This means that it can load or unload all current types of ship operating in the Baltic across their complete breadth. As well as containers, the new crane also handles heavy cargo and project loads.

The handling of bulk cargo has also developed positively in Kiel. The export of agricultural products and the import of fuels are now both higher than they were last year. In the breakbulk sector, the operation of the new RoPax ship Lisco Maxima since May on the Kiel-Klaipeda route has made a big difference. Commented Dirk Claus: “The new ship has the potential to switch a lot of Baltic cargo from the roads to the sea. In addition, the expanded capacity offered for passengers to the Baltic region has also already been well-received,” he said. Kiel is also reporting increased passenger totals in the cruise sector, because of the ever-bigger ships now calling at the port. In the first half of the year about 760,000 passengers passed through Kiel.

The Port of Kiel operates the city’s commercial port on behalf of the Schleswig-Holstein state capital of Kiel and is a 100% subsidiary company of the City. The port consists of three parts with a total commercial and logistics area of more than 65 hectares. The biggest part is the Ostuferhafen, the hub of liner shipping traffic with Russia and the Baltic. The Stadthafen is the home of three passenger terminals operated by the Port of Kiel. From here ferries operate to and from Scandinavia and cruise ships berth. Mainly bulk cargo for the regional markets is handled in the port areas located on the nearby Kiel Canal.