Fast progress at German box terminal

JWP spokeswoman Susanne Thomas also said that more than 45m of the 46m m3 of sand for the terminal had been laid and that concreting of the main 1,725m quay was being completed this month.

At the same time, 260 double iron bollards were being installed on the main quay. The 250 ton pull, Chinese built bollards each weigh 1,400kg.

Asphalting of the first container stowage areas have also reportedly taken place. Thomas said the rail approach system was being completed late last month and that signal equipment was being installed in April and May.

Total terminal costs are €650m for infrastructure and €350m for superstructure. Under a deal signed after differences were sorted out last year, operators EUROGATE will take the first 1,000m of quay into operation on 5 August 2012 and the remaining 725m on 5 August 2013.

In mid-April, the Nordfrost Group became the first investor in the adjacent 160 hectare logistics zone. It is investing €60m in a new 20 hectare storage and service centre. April also saw the Abu Dhabi Ports Company sign a memorandum with the JWP Logistics Zone covering cooperation between the UAE and Germany in a range of industries.

The JWP was meanwhile connected to the German rail network and an efficient link promised by JWP opening. Reports said, however, that rail cargo flows would be restricted for some time after that because of continuing terminal construction.

A consortium grouping Johann Bunte of Papenburg, Möbius Hamburg, Hecker Oldenburg and Voss Cuxhaven is building the JWP terminal. It will eventually have four berths and 16 cranes on 18m of water. It will handle 2.7m TEU a year and be Germany’s answer to main rival Rotterdam.

By Tom Todd