Europe and Central Asia - The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Spring 2010) 58467 The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Spring 2010) http://worldbank.org/croatiatti The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter Issue No.3, Spring 2010 The first Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter was issued in the Spring 2009, followed by a Fall 2009 edition, with the objective to strengthen the dialogue among corridor participants and to facilitate information sharing about ongoing corridor activities. This supports the overall development objectives of the Trade and Transport Integration (TTI) Project. Welcome to the third issue of the Corridor newsletter, prepared with inputs from corridor participants. We are using this opportunity to thank the Ploce Port Authority (PPA), Luka Ploce d.d (LP), Croatian and BiH Railways, and the Ministries of Transport of Croatia and BiH for their contributions to this issue. We would appreciate your feedback on the content of our newsletter, so please send your comments and ideas to tti-newsletter@worldbank.org. We would also welcome your contributions for future editions, with a deadline of September 10, 2010 for the next edition. For detailed information about the project, please visit the link below: http://worldbank.org/croatiatti Contacts Hana Huzjak (Newsletter) hhuzjak@worldbank.org Cargo Throughput in the Port of Ploce In 2009, the global recession sharply affected the main clients of the Port located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Italy. Cargo throughput declined to 2.9 million tons, a 40 percent decrease compared to 2008 - a record year for the Ploce port. Container throughput was 25,931 TEU, or 25 percent less than the year before. In comparison, early 2010 shows signs of significant recovery. Cargo throughput in the first five months of 2010 grew by 45% in comparison with the same period last year with bulk cargo growing the fastest (+65%). Port Community System The development of the Port Community System (PCS) in Ploce is an integral part of the TTI project. The objective of the port PCS is the implementation of a simple, but efficient and cost effective information sharing and communication system, benefiting not only the Ploce http://web.worldbank.org/...tMDK:22634824~menuPK:547254~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258599,00.html[12/14/2010 11:44:32 AM] Europe and Central Asia - The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Spring 2010) participants, but also the ultimate port users and connecting with other world port systems. This would enable faster and more efficient planning, management and control of the port process and replace paperwork with electronic messages, reduce the time and improve coordination among participants. PPA's consultants, a Dutch joint venture led by Amsterdam Port Consultants, finalized the design and preparation of technical documentation to tender such a system. In December 2009, the consultants presented the design of the future system to the port community, including representatives of all stakeholders (See Powerpoint presentation on the TTI website). The consultants presented: (i) existing information exchange practices within the port community; (ii) future information procedures and port procedures in general, including a review of all messages to be exchanged among various stakeholders; and (iii) technical documentation, design and specifications of the whole PCS project. The tender for the PCS is ongoing. It includes delivery and installation the PCS infrastructure, development and implementation of a suitable software solution, training of stakeholders, hosting and maintenance of the system. Offers are expected in early summer and signing expected by September 2010. For more information, contact Mr. Svemir Zekuli, PPA (zekulic@port-authority-ploce.hr). Port of Ploce Container Terminal in Operation in August 2010 In November 2007, the Port of Ploce Authority and "Konstruktor Inzenjering" d.d. Split signed a contract for the Phase I of the new container terminal construction. The facilities include a 280- meter long operative quay with complete infrastructure, a storage area of 38.000 m2, a RO-RO ramp, a sea basin with a depth of 13.5 m for reception of container ships, and a service-stacking area that will enable an initial annual container throughput of about 60.000 TEU. PPA expects construction completion by end-June 2010. The terminal will be put in operation after carrying out the statutory technical inspection and after issuance of the corresponding inspection certificate. Preparatory Works for the New Bulk Cargo Terminal Ongoing As part of the TTI Project, PPA and Luka Ploce d.d. (the concessionaire) have been working on the design of a new, modern dry bulk cargo terminal. This investment is a response to the increased quantities of dry bulk cargo (coal, petroleum coke, iron ore, bauxite) being handled in the Port for its main clients in Bosnia-Herzegovina ("Arcelor Mittal" Zenica, GIKIL Lukavac, "Aluminij" Mostar, "Birac" Zvornik), as well as for Italian thermal power plants and the cement industry in Split. The new bulk cargo terminal is expected to be able to handle 4.6 million tons of cargo annually, while the draft would allow accommodation of Panamax and Cape size ships. Storage space of approximately 500 x 160 meters will be built for temporary storage. Preparatory activities are ongoing. Soil consolidation at the location of the future terminal http://web.worldbank.org/...tMDK:22634824~menuPK:547254~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258599,00.html[12/14/2010 11:44:32 AM] Europe and Central Asia - The Trade and Transport Integration Project Corridor Newsletter - (Spring 2010) warehouse area is underway, with preload completed up to the final level in a large part of the new terminal area. The main design for the bulk cargo terminal is in final phase of completion. The prequalification of the bidders for the construction of the new terminal has been completed. PPA expects to invite bids in the early fall 2010 with contract signing by end 2010. Railway Working Group The most recent meeting of the railway working group took place in December 2009, in Velika, Croatia, to review the implementation of the Action Plan by all parties: Croatian Railways (HZ) and BiH railways (Public Railway Corporation of BiH - BHZJK, Railways of the Federation of BiH - ZFBiH, and Railways of Republic of Srpska - ZRS). The working group has agreed that the next working meeting would take place in Croatia, in mid-2010. HZ has completed and reviewed the preliminary designs for modernization of contact network in Ploce freight yard, as well as electrification of tracks. The documentation has been submitted to the Croatian county authorities, to obtain the corresponding location permits. In total, HZ invested HRK 150.7 million in the section Metkovic-Ploce HZ from 2001 to 2005. In particular, HZ completed the overhaul of superstructure and track substructure of the entire section, as well as signaling, safety devices and telecommunication cables. ZFBIH reported that the works on the overhaul of railway line 11 (Sarajevo- Capljina-state border) on the Konjic- Capljina section started on November 30, 2009. This investment, worth Euro 55 million, is being financed by EBRD loan. EBRD will support 2 additional sections of the line 11: Sarajevo-Bradina, worh Euro 15 million; and Sarajevo-Podlugovi, worth Euro 13 million. The planned overhaul of 6 electric locomotives has been finished, and an additional 2 are under process, so that a total of 11 electric locomotives have been overhauled to date. In addition, the overhauling of 4 diesel engines has also been completed. The first phase of Corridor Vc computerization, in areas under ZFBiH and ZRS is on a trial run. http://web.worldbank.org/...tMDK:22634824~menuPK:547254~pagePK:2865106~piPK:2865128~theSitePK:258599,00.html[12/14/2010 11:44:32 AM]