Terminal Catalunya (TERCAT), a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings Group, has announced the first vessel call at its new terminal Muelle Prat, signifying the start of the testing phase which will cover all equipment and IT systems.
The unloading of containers from the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s MSC Esha ran smoothly demonstrating the successful integration of the terminal equipment with HPH’s proprietary terminal operating system nGen. It is expected that productivity at the terminal will set new standards for the Port of Barcelona.
A total of 436 containers were handled, achieving an average productivity rate of 30 moves per crane per hour.
Muelle Prat, located at the Port of Barcelona, is the first semi-automated terminal in the HPH global network of ports. The terminal is scheduled to be fully operational during 2013 and when completely built, it with have 1,500 metres of quay, a depth of 16.5 meters and a 100 hectare yard.
Muelle Prat terminal is the most technologically advanced port development project in the Mediterranean and is capable of serving multiple mega-vessels simultaneously. It has an eight-track railway facility, and the biggest on-dock railway terminal of any port in Spain connecting it to traffic coming from, and destined for, Southern Europe.
About TERCAT
Terminal Catalunya (TERCAT) is the busiest container terminal operator in the Port of Barcelona with a long and successful history. In addition to operating the fastest growing container terminal in the port, TERCAT has been awarded the concession to build and operate the new Muelle Prat Container Terminal at the Port of Barcelona.
TERCAT is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group. HPH, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator. The HPH network of port operations comprises 52 ports, spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, HPH has expanded internationally into other logistics, transportation-related and hotel businesses. These include cruise ship terminals, airport and hotel operations, distribution centres, rail services, and ship repair facilities.
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Source: Tercat, July 3, 2012