Page 37 - Port of Kokkola Handbook & Directory

EuROPEAN PERSPECTIVEPWort of Kokkolaas seen through the eyes of the Port’s European and UKto meet with colleagues in the large bulk handling ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Immingham and talk and exchange experiences on the same professional level with them.representative, Dick Fraserhen I first started as a marketing representative for Port of Kokkola inDick Fraser, European and UK Representative, Port of KokkolaWestern Europe in 1998, it was a typical Finnish coastal port, struggling to keep its traditional timber exports going, “suffering” from ice conditions which made the port inaccessible for non-ice classed large vessels – but with great plans for the future.In the 1990s Russian transit traffic had developed to almost one third of all freight travelling through the port, the main commodity being alumina to large aluminium smelters in North West Russia.Demand for a deeper fairway to the port was evident and work commenced at the end of 1998 and in 2001 the present 13 m safe draft fairway to the port became a reality. This was also the beginning of intensive activities aimed at ‘putting Port of Kokkola on the map’. A programme was started to present the port to its peers in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Great Britain. The result has been a tight network of friends and colleagues in the ports and the shipping industry, a frequent presence at main industry fairs and conferences – which has all helped make Port of Kokkola well known in wide and beneficial circles.in 2005 – the only one in the Nordic ports and a new exciting concept for Kokkola. Equipped with a fast overhead 50-ton crane and offering an open covered quayside of 35 m wide and 120 m long, it makes handling of general cargo and containers exceptionally fast and safe. No more icy rain in strong winds, no more forced closing of the hold covers – all work can be executed in factory-like conditions. Add to this a 5000 m2 covered storage areas and the facilities are ideal for fast cargo loading and discharging of maximum 9,500 DWT vessels.Plans are now approved to deepen the access fairway to 14 m, meaning that Panamax vessels will be able to load up to full capacity, and Capesize vessels to 130,000 tons. The Finnish mining industry is a traditional customer in the port, add to this the long-term co-operation with Russian iron raw material exporters, and we shall hopefully see further increases in the amount of freight handled.The beginning of the second millennium also saw construction of the All Weather Terminal, inauguratedThe development of the port of Kokkola into Finland’s leading bulk handling port has been interesting to follow and it gives one great pleasureThe last 20 years have been a highly enjoyable ride. I believe that the next 20 years will offer equal excitement! lHANDBOOK & DIRECTORY PORT OF KOKKOLA35