Kaohsiung Harbour Bureau budgets US$68.9 million to rebuild box quays

THE Kaohsiung Harbour Bureau has earmarked NT$2 billion (US$68.9 million) to rebuild wharves, dredging of three berths at No 4 container centre to accommodate 10,000-TEU ships, reports China Economic News Service.


Taiwanese containership owner Yangming Marine Transport invested NT$18 billion this year to build No 6 container centre with two berths to accommodate 12,500-TEU vessels.


Now that work is completed on No 6, Yangming is planning a fleet of 10,000-TEU plus ships, with other major carriers, saying they will do the same.


After work is completed at No. 4, the quay will be dredged to 17 metres from 14 metres, thus allowing 10,000-TEUers to dock.


After talks with Evergreen, which has leased 115-No. 117 wharves, Kaohsiung Harbour Bureau has decided to launch first-stage dredging engineering project beginning in August.


After the first-stage is completed, the bureau will consider launching follow-up projects, including the reconstruction of three wharves at the No 3 container centre rented by Yangming Marine and Singapore's APL, and six wharves at the No 4 container centre to be leased by Evergreen and Korea's Hanjin Shipping.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)