Contract for the execution of works within the project "Improvement of infrastructure in the port of Rijeka – dredging of the south berth at Adriatic Gate Container Terminal (POR2CORE-AGCT dredging)” has been signed 6 months ago. Media conference organized by the Rijeka Port Authority and hosted by AGCT was held earlier today to present the ongoing works to the public.
The contract includes seabed deepening at a length of 100 meters along the coastal southern wall quay, which will equalize the sea depth at 428 m of AGCT's operative Quay along the Kostrensko Quay Berth 1 and Berth 2.
“We are pleased to witness the construction works on the dredging progressing as planned. The 100m deepening is crucial for our business, as the required berth depth is a key requirement for shipping companies to efficiently keep calling AGCT and Port of Rijeka.
2M is calling with 15,000TEU vessels, Ocean Alliance recently deployed a 10,000TEU ship and the majority of new build deliveries in the next two years are in the 18,000-24,000TEU. Larger vessels in Asia-Med and Asia-Adriatic have reduced slot cost similar to those in North Europe, so these vessels are here to stay. We need to ensure that we have the ability to accommodate increasing vessel size in order for AGCT to remain a Gateway in North Adriatic . “ – said Emmanuel Papagiannakis, AGCT CEO.
Current depth for 328m restricts the number of containers that can be handled on container ships that are currently berthing at AGCT, reducing call size and creating underutilized vessels. With seabed dredged another 100m, the largest vessels calling the Adriatic 15,000 TEU (20 ft containers) can maximize volumes without restriction and reduce berthing/unberthing time for larger vessels calling AGCT.
Given the loss of 100m berth and construction area required for contractors during dredging, our focus during dredging works will be on maintaining service delivery levels and minimizing any operational disruption.
Importantly there is another project to further dredge to 16.5m, which will allow the next generation of larger vessels to be handled and further improve cargo flows between Asia and Europe for local market which increasingly includes Central Europe. With AGCT current rail share of 42%, project is also supporting an environmentally conscious supply chain. We expect the works to contribute to development of Port of Rijeka as an important south entry into Europe and with further increases in rail share and development of wider logistics industry in Croatia.
“Following a successful 2019 with 20% growth, in 2020 AGCT has recorded 12% growth in overall volumes, despite challenging environment of COVID 19 pandemic. During May the terminal also achieved an all-time record monthly volume and in October we recorded an all-time rail record, achieving a 47% rail share and 30% year to date increase in rail volume over the previous year "- commented Emmanuel Papagiannakis, CEO of AGCT, and added:
"Next week AGCT will pass 300.000 TEU, a new record and significant milestone. Intermodal volume growth has been a key driver with 70% of volumes now coming from outside local Croatian market and from East and Central Europe. We will continue to develop the port and intermodal offering and look forward to the continued growth of Port of Rijeka. “