DP World Southampton has raised the bar again in the UK container industry by setting another UK productivity record.
On the Hyundai Ambition, the company’s D Team handle 651 moves (54.25 crane moves per hour) on quay crane 29 during a 12-hour night shift.
Chris Lewis, Managing Director, DP World Southampton, said, “This was an excellent achievement during ‘non-ideal’ weather conditions where high winds and rain had closed other ports during the day.
“We have broken our own personal best record (previously 603 moves on the Hyundai Together) and set another UK first last night (Tuesday 16 October).”
The Hyundai Ambition is one of a new fleet of ultra large container ships carrying 13,200 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) which is deployed on the G6 loop 4 Service from Asia to Europe.
Chris continued: “Larger ships need higher productivity but more than that our customers need consistent high productivity.
“Reliability is a vital part of the supply chain and at DP World Southampton we have focused all our efforts to provide a fast, reliable and secure service.
“This is another great example of how our staff are committed to raising the bar and making Southampton the best it can be.”
DP World Southampton now averages 28 mph (moves per hour)across all vessels and has seen vessel productivity increase by 32% in just two years making it one of the most productive terminals in Northern Europe.
Lewis added: “At a time when shipping lines are bringing even bigger ships into service, it is recognised throughout the industry that shipside and landside productivity is a key focus for terminals.
This new record comes just after Associated British Ports has started work on a £150 million pound project to create a new deep-water facility at Southampton.
The new berth which will be operational from 2014 will be capable of handling vessels of 16,000 TEU+.
The new berth development underscores Southampton’s position as the first and last deep-sea port of call in Northern Europe for the Far East, with its sheltered location, first-class road and rail distribution links to the Midlands and market-leading service and productivity.
