The Illichivsk seaport has resumed coastal transshipment of iron-ore concentrate. The Stevia motor vessel, which engages in coastal shipping of goods to Mariupol, is being loaded at the seaport’s berth No. 2, the press service of the seaport reports. The loading rate is 9,500 tons per shift. According to the chief dispatcher of the Illichivsk seaport, the seaport’s cargo turnover was 359,500 tons as of 08:00 on 16 June 2016.
The Illichivsk seaport has managed to significantly increase the rate of transshipment of iron-ore concentrate this year. In particular, six capsize-class bulk carriers were loaded with iron-ore concentrate belonging to the Metinvest holding company at the seaport in the spring of 2016. The intensity of loading operations increases with each new ship that calls at the seaport: the Anangel Astronomer ore carrier was processed at the record rate of 18,000 tons per day. The Anangel Mariner capsize-class vessel was processed at the average rate of 20,000 tons per day, with the rate reaching 25,000 per day during some shifts.
The seaport used a new mechanism for processing large-tonnage vessels: the vessels were partly loaded at the berths 1 and 2 of terminals and the loading was completed on the roads within the waters of the seaport. The seventh capsize-class vessel, the Frontier Island, is expected to dock at the port in late June to be loaded with iron-ore concentrate.
"Iron ore is a promising cargo flow for the Illichivsk seaport, as the seaport’s head Serhii Kryzhanovskyi has repeatedly stated,” said Andrii Isaiev, a senior analyst at CFTS Consulting. “The increase of transshipment of iron-ore concentrate will have a positive effect on the overall cargo flow, capacity utilization, and financial indicators of the state stevedore."
Thanks to his work with shippers, Kryzhanovskyi has managed to attract capesize vessels to the Illichivsk seaport and demonstrate the seaport’s capabilities to the market.
In addition to the June volume, Kryzhanovskyi’s team has managed to attract an additional 203,000 tons of iron-ore concentrate. Delivery of rolled metal products is also expected. The Illichivsk seaport handled 1.42 million tons of ore cargoes in the first five months of 2016. The increase in the speed and volume of handling of iron-ore concentrate and other bulk cargo will also facilitate implementation of investment programs for development of the port’s water areas and reconstruction of berths.
"The berths that have been out of service for many years should be reconstructed in 2016. The relevant dredging work has been performed, and I do not think it will be delayed for some indefinite period. On the contrary, our colleagues are ready and, most importantly, they have the money and this issue is under the strict control of the Ministry of infrastructure and regional authorities," Kryzhanovskyi said in an interview with CFTS. According to him, port workers will also master a new logistical scheme this year: unloading of capesize vessels carrying imported coking and steam coal and subsequent loading of iron ore onto them.
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