New infrastructure in the Port of Ensenada
By Adina Moloman
Sources: Seatrade Global, El Mexicano, World Maritime News
Major changes are starting in the second half of the year 2013 in the port of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
First, new weekly container shipping service begins between Asia and Ensenada, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, or MOL, one of the top ten most powerful shipping companies worldwide. The new weekly service will be operated by Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd with seven vessels, where the seven week rotation reads as follows: Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Busan, Yokohama, Ensenada, Manzanillo (Mexico), Lazaro Cardenas, Ensenada, Yokohama, Ningbo. The new transpacific service links North China, Korea and Japan to Mexico.
The weekly capacity is not only increased by 500 to 600 teu per week but also the 21-year old full panamax vessel ATLANTA EXPRESS (4,369 teu) will be replaced by larger-capacity overpanamax vessels. The first large shipping will start with the vessel Tamina, with a capacity of up to 5,527 teu, one of the larger vessels arriving at the port of Ensenada.
Second, Hong Kong-based Hutchison Port Holdings Company (HPH) engaged in the investment, development, operation, and management of deep-water container in 52 ports of 26 countries, that also operates in the Port of Ensenada, has recently announced an additional investment of $1.5m to develop the port of Ensenada, Baja California and improve its logistics operations.
It offers supply chain solutions for Maquiladoras Manufacturing in Mexico and consumer market.
The improved in infrastructure consists in a purchase of a hybrid RTG crane capable to move up to 20 containers per hour and is also friendlier with the environment (the CO2 emissions it will be reduced by half as compared to conventional equipment). According to a statement of this company, the new equipment for the terminal will use 35% less fuel, due to the hybrid nature of the crane.
