Hutchison Ports BEST has broken its own throughput record. The semi-automated terminal located in Barcelona reached a new milestone on December 15th when it handled its 1st millionth container move, equivalent to approximately 1,800,000 TEU (measure for a 20 feet container) in a single calendar year.
The landmark container was loaded aboard the 13,800-TEU MSC Bettina operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the world’s largest shipping lines. Commenting on the terminal’s achievement, Guillermo Belcastro, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports BEST, said: "We are proud of reaching this latest milestone. The new record highlights BEST’s value proposition delivering the highest berth efficiency in the Mediterranean and the fastest delivery processes for trucks and trains. This way we are able to deliver our customers the perfect service combination at seaside and landside of the terminal.” Since its official opening in September 2012, BEST has continued to set new standard for ports in the region: it has achieved a Vessel Operating Rate of more than 220 moves per hour and a sustained annual average Gross Quay Crane Rate of over 40 moves per hour, one of the highest in the world. BEST currently has 11 super post-Panamax quay cranes, all of them capable of servicing ultra-large container vessels, 48 automatic stacking cranes (ASCs) and 26 shuttle carriers operating along a berth line of 1,500 metres with a draft of 16.5 metres. This record is aligned with the Port of Barcelona’s containers volume growth of 33% up until November 2017, confirming the current trend of consolidating Barcelona Port and BEST as the most efficient entry gateway to Southern Europe and as a shorter, faster and greener alternative. Mr. Belcastro also stated: “This achievement is possible thanks to our customers, the collaboration of the Barcelona Port Authority and other stakeholders, but more especially thanks to our workforce which, along with passion, humbleness and commitment, make our offer unique in the market. We will continue to improve the service we provide to our customers through further investments in equipment and technology.” The terminal has one of the most modern entry/exit gate complexes in Europe and one of the largest rail terminals at a container port with an eight-track railway facility with mixed gauge (Iberian and UIC), connecting BEST daily to many different destinations in Spain and Southern Europe. Hutchison Ports BEST is the first semi-automated terminal in the Hutchison Ports Group and the most technologically advanced port development project in Spain.