Croatian terminal targets 20,000 TEU capacity

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) subsidiary Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (AGCT) has announced a major expansion plan at the Port of Rijeka to enable it to be the first terminal in the northern Adriatic able to berth vessels of up to 20,000 teu capacity.

In cooperation with the Rijeka Port Authority, AGCT has drawn up plans for a two-phase dredging scheme with the first phase fully-approved, entailing the dredging of 130m of quay over its berths 1 and 2. This will facilitate the berthing of vessels with a length overall (LOA) of up to 400m. The work is due to be completed by mid-2020 and will provide 438m of berth with a depth alongside of 15m. The second phase foresees additional dredging alongside the 438m of quay to a depth of 16.5m

“We have decided to do this against a background of steady demand but, more importantly, to keep pace with the requirements of our clients in terms of both ship size and a rise in intermodal rail activity,” explained Wojciech Szymulewicz, AGCT’s chief executive officer.

He added: “The capacity expansion will also deliver an overall boost to efficiency levels at the terminal, building upon the strengths we have already established in terms of vessel and truck turnaround as well as intermodal rail connectivity.”

High-spec equipment

New Super Post Panamax cranes with an outreach of at least 24 rows, will be introduced as part of the berth upgrade; and new rubber tyred gantries (RTGs) and prime movers introduced on the landside.

Work is also ongoing to upgrade AGCT’s on-dock rail terminal to offer an annual capacity of 360,000 teus per year. The upgraded rail yard will feature two new rail mounted gantries (RMGs) over four rail lines. The upgrade will be completed in the last quarter of 2019.

Total terminal yard capacity will be increased up to 600,000 teus per year in line with demand.
Source: Port Strategy