Tianjin Port's FICT strikes operational high with Navis N4

PostTime:2020-06-08 08:47:04 View:454

TIANJIN Port's Five Continents International Container Terminal (FICT) has hit several operational and productivity milestones after an extensive yard modernisation project that included retrofitting 31 cranes with Navis N4. Originally built to handle 1.5 million TEU, Tianjin Port exceeded its design capacity and now operates at 2.7 million TEU annually. Due to its rapid growth, Tianjin Port prioritised investing in tools and technology to aid its business operations as it scaled. In 2019 Tianjin Port launched a project to modernise its yard by automating its fleet of 31 manually operated rail-mounted stacking cranes. With the support of Navis and ZPMC, the cranes went live with N4 in record time and were able to perform critical tasks including yard planning, vessel planning, ARMG scheduling and dispatching and prime mover/tractor-trailer scheduling and dispatching, quickly, reports London's Port Technology International. Other operational gains at Tianjin Port in the past year from its N4 implementation include: Increased hourly production reaching 35.2 TEU per hour/A-RMG; increased yard throughput capacity by 20 per cent yearly; yard vessel berthing time decreased by 8.3 per cent; RMG operators reduced by 30.3 per cent; OTR truck stagnation reduced time by 45.6 per cent and energy consumption of a single box went down by 60 per cent, compared to the end-loading process. "Partnering with Navis and ZPMC for our modernisation project has helped us achieve our business objectives of increased automation, to allow us to handle the high amount of cargo our port sees every day," said Lin Hongwei, deputy general manager of Tianjin Port. "We have already experienced great results from the N4 implementation and look forward to seeing continued success." "As one of the busiest ports in the world, we know peak productivity is essential for Tianjin Port. Due to the rapid growth the port has experienced, automating some of its processes were key in helping them handle the extra load efficiently," said Charlie Gerard, vice president and general manger, Asia-Pacific at Navis.  

CIMC and CMA CGM set up joint venture in Tianjin

PostTime:2020-02-06 10:34:26 View:440

The European Commission has approved the formation of a new joint venture between China’s CIMC Neocontainer and French shipping company CMA CGM. The joint venture will provide services of container storage management, container handling, and container repair based in Tianjin port. In January, CMA CGM and CIMC Neocontainer notified the European Commission of the proposed acquisition plans for acquiring the joint control of a jv newly created for the provision of container yard related services in Tianjin port. Related: China Merchants Port and CMA CGM finalise terminals acquisition After the examination of the deal, the commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd. (CIMC) is a world leading supplier of logistics and energy equipment. CIMC Neocontainer is a logistics service unit of CIMC.

Tianjin Lingang port to build 12 new berths

PostTime:2019-02-15 23:21:43 View:1069

Tianjin Lingang Port Group plans to expand its port facilities this year at its Dagukou port with 12 new general cargo handling berths.   Lingang is to build twelve 100,000 tonne-class and 150,000 tonne-class multi-purpose berths and an 11 sq km bonded area. When the whole port project is completed, its handling capacity will exceed 100m tons. It will also open night navigation in the port area of Dagukou this year to improve its service quality.   Currently, Dagukou port focuses on the transportation of bulk cargo, grain, oil and liquid chemical products.   In 2018 Tianjin Lingang Port Group reported 17m tons in cargo throughput with its self-operated breakbulk berths handling 10m tons for the first time.

Tianjin Port becomes largest facility to use Navis N4 TOS

PostTime:2018-06-06 08:55:47 View:975

NORTHERN China's largest port and the gateway to Beijing, the Tianjin Port Group, has successfully completed the transition to Navis' N4 terminal operating system (TOS) across all six of its terminals in record time. The 300,000 ton artificial deep-water port achieved fully integrated terminal operation and management across its entire terminal network in less than eight months, the quickest implementation ever undertaken by Navis, reports London's Port Technology. After the TOS was implemented at the sixth and final terminal, Tianjin Orient Container Terminal (TOCT), Tianjin Ports is now the largest N4 terminal complex by TEU - handling 15 million TEU annually. Head of Tianjin Port Information Technology CO, Zhao Decheng, commented: "As we continue to grow and expand our services, it was critical that we implement a plan to consolidate and integrate all container terminal operations and support our multi-facility network under a single database. "In our search for a TOS provider, we also had high expectations for system stability and scalability and needed a partner who could support our clear roadmap to automation - we knew that Navis would be able to deliver on most of our goals." Prior to implementing N4, Tianjin Port's six container terminals operated on three different systems, each running with six different versions, which added complexity to the planning and execution of the transition. The fragmented system caused many operational challenges for the port, including a lack of shared resources and uniform technical architecture across terminals, a lack of data standardization due to heavily siloed information, and substantial risks to data security and integrity. VP and general manager APAC of Navis, Mark Welles, said: "There were several challenges associated with a multi-terminal go-live of this size and multiple operational issues that needed to be planned for and addressed. "The implementation of the integrated system has improved the overall security of the application system, reduced the operating risk and operating costs and at the same time, the data standardization under N4 has provided a solid foundation for big data analysis to help with future planning."  

Qinhuangdao Port transfers stake in container terminal to jv with Tianjin Port

PostTime:2017-05-19 09:58:16 View:1579

China’s Qinhuangdao Port has inked an agreement to sell its majority stake in its container terminal operator subsidiary at a consideration of RMB559.57m ($81.18m) to its joint venture firm with Tianjin Port Group. The deal will see Hong Kong-listed Qinhuangdao Port’s subsidiary Cangzhou Bohai transfer out 90% shareholding in its wholly-owned Cangzhou Bohai Jinji Container Terminal Co to Bohai Jinji Port Investment and Development Company, which is 50-50 owned by Qinhuangdao Port itself and Tianjin Port Group. “Since Bohai Jinji is a joint venture of the company and Tianjin Port Group, the transfer will bring forth the complementarity of the resources of Jinji Port and the integration of the container business of the group and Tianjin Port Group,” Qinhuangdao Port stated. The deal will also “promote the development of the group’s container business by integrating the resources of both groups, optimising location distribution and enhancing the efficient use of the ports without constructing new berths for containers.” Qinhuangdao Port further explained that the deal will increase its ability to collect resources of the group’s ports and help the group build a northern shipping center together with Tianjin Port Group. Upon completion of the equity transfer deal, Qinhuangdao Port could realise a gain of approximately RMB18.38m, which is proposed to be used as general working capital.

Tianjin Port Development full year results dip

PostTime:2017-03-30 08:55:07 View:1101

Tianjin Port Development Holdings Limited saw its full year results declined compared to the previous year while container handling volumes rose. Net profit for 2016 was recorded at HKD1.79bn ($230.47m), decreasing by 3.8% from HKD1.86bn in 2015, Hong Kong-listed Tianjin Port announced. Full year revenue dropped by 19.9% year-on-year to HKD16.46bn due mainly to lower contributions from sales business and the depreciation of the Chinese currency. Tianjin Port, however, registered a 2.9% year-on-year rise in container throughput volumes to 14.49m teu in 2016. “In 2016, container handling business remained steady, additional domestic and international routes were established, and Bohai Rim feeder transhipment volume expanded,” Tianjin Port said. Looking ahead to 2017, Tianjin Port said the global economy is expected to maintain moderate growth, the prospect of US economy is expected to be more positive, the European economic recovery is expected to firm further, and the Chinese economy will continue to see stable growth. In order to drive the container business forward, Tianjin Port said it will deepen cooperation with shipping companies so as to further enhance the competitiveness of Bohai Rim feeder. “The group will accelerate the consolidation of container business resources and optimise the depots layout, to develop an integrated operation model,” it said.    

Tianjin Port Development improves profit on increased port volumes

PostTime:2017-03-24 08:23:01 View:867

China’s Tianjin Port Development Holdings has improved its annual net profit on the back of increased container and cargo volumes handled at Tianjin port. Net profit for 2016 rose to RMB1.8bn ($261.7m) from RMB1.69bn in the previous year, according to Hong Kong- and Shanghai-listed Tianjin Port Development. Full year revenue, however, dipped to RMB13.05bn from RMB15.4bn in 2015. The Chinese port moved a total container throughput of 7.18m teu for 2016, up 2.1% year-on-year. The handling of bulk cargoes also rose by 5.9% year-on-year to 303.34m dwt.

Tianjin Tianhai seeks bank backing to buy US computer distributor

PostTime:2016-09-28 08:06:14 View:1025

CHINESE container shipping firm Tianjin Tianhai Investment Co has approached banks to contribute to a US$4.27 billion loan to finance a $6 billion acquisition of US computer, networking and software distributor Ingram Micro Inc, reports Bloomberg.  Agricultural Bank of China is coordinating the seven-year loan facility, said unidentified sources close to the deal.  The move to transform Tianjin Tianhai into a general logistics operation comes as slowing global trade growth and a mountain of debt claim more casualties in the shipping industry, underscored by the collapse of Hanjin Shipping.  Tianjin Tianhai's Tianjin-based representative declined to comment on the details of the loan when contacted by phone. The firm is a Shanghai-traded affiliate of Chinese conglomerate HNA Group Co. Tianjin Tianhai unveiled in July that it planned to acquire California-based Ingram Micro, however, the transaction has been held up as US officials assess the deal's implications on national security.   

Tianjin explosion serves as warning to all global supply in chains

PostTime:2016-06-24 08:38:06 View:944

LAST August's huge explosion in the Port of Tianjin Port should be viewed an example of why work practices and risk policies should be examined more thoroughly, says TT Club risk manager Peregrine Storrs-Fox. "Tianjin provides a spectacular example of how cargo in transit, potentially mis-declared, or packed or handled incorrectly, can cause widespread damage and loss of life," he said, noting that this was one of many lesser port-related accidents last year. "Together, these are the tip of an iceberg that is made up of many less serious incidents that occur each year," he said, referring to a container chemical explosion that sent scores to hospital in Santos and a chemical fire that spread toxic fumes through Vancouver's port area. But the Tianjin explosions are thought to be the biggest insured loss of 2015, with property loss estimated at between US$2.5 and $3.5 billion and economic losses potentially many multiples of that. This incident had become a focal point, drawing attention to underlying problems within global supply chain processes, said Mr Storrs-Fox, TT Club's risk management director. "The troubling increase in cargo related shipboard fires result in a need for operators to review safety regulations, particularly relating to the storage and handling of dangerous goods," Mr Storrs-Fox said. 

Hit by Tianjin port's mega-blast, TT Club posts 65pc fall in 2015 surplus

PostTime:2016-05-31 08:33:15 View:969

TT CLUB, a logistics insurance provider, was hit by claims from last August's mega explosion that killed 100 and injured hundreds more in the Port of Tianjin, now announces a 65.9 per cent year-on-year decline in its surplus to US$4.8 million in 2015.  "Incidents such as Tianjin and a number of cargo-related fires meant the club experienced a higher number of large claims above $1 million than in 2013 and 2014," said TT Club chairman Knud Pontoppidan. Gross earned premiums in 2015 amounted to $172 million on total assets of $618.1 million, while its total surplus and reserves came to $178.1 million, up 1.59 per cent year on year. "Despite the increase in large claims, and the soft rating conditions, the club continues to be in good shape," he said.  "The work to improve the health of the insurance book since 2009 has paid off to help to mitigate the increase in large claims in the year and the club's rating awarded by AM Best at A- (Excellent) has been affirmed for 2016.  

China's FTZs in Tianjin, Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai pilot reforms

PostTime:2016-04-29 07:54:28 View:1083

CHINA's four pilot free trade zones located in Tianjin, Fujian and Guangdong province on the east coast, as well as Shanghai, are spearheading structural reforms to make it easier to start businesses and grant foreign firms more access to the service sector. These cities and provinces have taken on the role of piloting new reforms in their free trade zones, where local authorities have greater discretion to manage business activities and cross-border capital flow, reported Xinhua. Loosened controls on capital and widened access to sectors that remain closed or restricted for foreign firms elsewhere have led to a surge in new business registrations and cross-border transactions in the zones. A survey published in September by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai found that 42 per cent of American firms are happy with measures to facilitate trade in the Shanghai free trade zone, and plan to gain a foothold in the free trade zones in Tianjin, Fujian and Guangdong. Tianjin plans to use its free trade zone to serve a greater region in northern China that includes Beijing and Hebei province. Tianjin has performed well in auto imports and financial leasing compared to the rest of the country.  The financial leasing arm of China's biggest state lender ICBC performed the country's first offshore leasing in Tianjin when it bought an A320 aircraft from Airbus and leased it to Himalaya Airlines in Nepal. Guangdong has been leveraging its proximity to Hong Kong and Macao to encourage more cross-border financial transactions. A total of 13 securities firms and asset managers from Hong Kong have been allowed to invest up to US$18.66 billion combined in China's domestic capital markets. Banks in the free trade zone offer more products for companies looking for merger and acquisition opportunities overseas to hedge against currency exchange risks. The free trade zone in Fujian has been piloting measures to ease economic exchanges with Taiwan, and has granted speedy customs clearance for 120 Taiwanese products. This has made it possible for fresh fruit picked in the morning in Taiwan to hit the market in Fujian in the afternoon. Streamlined measures for clearing Taiwanese products for the Chinese mainland have been approved by the General Administration of Customs for use in the other three zones. Meanwhile, multinational corporations are increasingly using the Shanghai free trade zone to introduce new services to consumers in China. Apple and Uber have both registered companies in the zone as a launch pad for their new mobile payment and taxi-hailing services in China.  Shanghai also launched a yuan-denominated gold benchmark this week to offer global investors an alternative to the London and New York gold fixing. Zone authorities are also drafting regulations to allow Chinese households to invest in offshore capital markets. 

Slowing sales business trims earnings at Tianjin Port

PostTime:2016-04-01 07:48:58 View:895

China’s Tianjin Port Development Holdings has reported decreased earnings for the financial year ended 31 December 2015 due to its slowing sales business. Net profit for last year came up to HKD639.39m ($82.45m), a drop of 21.9% from the profit of HKD819.13m in 2014. The annual revenue fell by 38.8% year-on-year to HKD20.54bn due primarily to a 60.9% fall in revenue from its sales business, which is mainly engaged in the supply of fuel to inbound vessels, sales of suppliers and other materials. The container handling business for the group, which operates all container terminal at Tianjin port, remained steady in 2015. Tianjin Port achieved total container throughput of 14.09m teu in 2015, representing a 0.2% year-on-year increase. The company pointed out that its loss due to the deadly explosion at Tianjin port in August 2015 was negligible, and it took initiatives and implemented a series of measures to ensure its port production and operation continued as per normal and safely. Looking ahead to 2016, Tianjin Port noted that its businesses are subject to risks and uncertainties as China goes through a structural transformation of the economy. “In the ‘New Normal’ of the Chinese economy, downside risks to Chinese growth have risen, and international trade environment remains difficult, placing pressures on port industry,” Tianjin Port said.