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Port of Kiel reports results for 2019

Published by , Editorial Assistant
Dry Bulk,


The Port of Kiel has reported that it achieved good results in 2019. The cargo sector achieved an increase of 1.9 % to 6.8 million t handled on the terminals operated by the port. Taking into account the bulk cargo business at independent facilities, all in all the 7 million t mark could be affirmed despite the decommissioning of the local coal power station.

Highlights:

  • Handling result rose by 1.9 % in port areas operated by the Port of Kiel.
  • The port again reached the 7 million t mark in overall cargo handling.
  • Investment in shore power supply plants at Norwegenkai, Ostseekai and Schwedenkai.
  • Passenger traffic rose by 8.4 % to nearly 2.4 million passengers.

Dr. Dirk Claus, Managing Director at the port, said: “The Port of Kiel was able to pursue its growth course in its core business areas – the ferry traffic and the cruise business sector. At the same time, the focus of our investments lies on the implementation of the Blue Port strategy – on the shore power plants and the intermodal traffic, so that the Port of Kiel will be climate-neutral by 2030.”

Approximately €15 million are currently being invested in the construction of shore power plants so that they will be ready for operation at all three ferry and cruise terminals in the city port in the course of 2020. The Color Line ferry has been supplied with shore power at the Norwegenkai Terminal on a daily basis since early summer 2019.

Ferry traffic contributing more to overall transhipment rate

The core business of the port is the general cargo handled in the ferry traffic sector and with nearly 6 million t it accounts for 85% of overall transhipment activities. The biggest volume handled was on the Kiel – Klaipeda (Lithuania) service of the DFDS shipping company. For the first time, 2.5 million t of cargo were transhipped and the frequency was also augmented with an eighth weekly departure in autumn.

Since April 2019, more trucks destined for Russia have been transported on this route after the weekly ferry service to St. Petersburg was suspended.

Longer trains and new connections in intermodal transport

In the ferry traffic sector to Norway resp. West Sweden the service of an additional freight ferry has had a positive impact on the Kiel – Oslo route, whereas fewer unaccompanied trailers were transported between Kiel and Gothenburg in 2019.

Trains with an overall length of 750 m (550 m before) can now enter the Rbf Kiel-Meimersdorf and a third shunting track is about to be completed at the Schwedenkai Terminal. At this terminal, no less than 25% of the hinterland transport units are transhipped by rail already. After nearly 24 000 load units were transhipped by rail in 2019, this number is expected to increase to well over 32 000 in 2020.

Investments in terminal facilities and environmental protection

The port is currently investing nearly €30 million in terminal facilities and environmental protection. After the apron in Ostuferhafen (Germany) was completely redesigned in 2019 in order to optimise logistical processes and to create more space for trucks, trailers and passenger cars, the construction projects now focus on the city port.

The interior construction of the new terminal measuring 3700 m2 is in full swing while the works on the exterior façade are nearly finished. The €10 million building will be inaugurated in spring with the beginning of the season.

The largest single investment of the port is the shore power supply plant for the Ostseekai and Schwedenkai terminals amounting to €13 million. Construction works at the shore power supply plant started last autumn and the structural as well as the civil engineering is currently in progress. The technical equipment will follow so that the power plant can start test operations during the season.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/rail-barge/21012020/port-of-kiel-reports-good-results-for-2019/

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Dry cargo shipping news Dry bulk freight news Dry bulk shiploading news