The Port of Salalah has worked closely with Cavotec MoorMaster in implementing a revolutionary vacuum-based mooring system that allows for safe and swift mooring of ships of all sizes at the APM Terminals container facility at the Port of Salalah in Oman.

Situated on the southeast coast of Oman on the Arabian Sea, Salalah is one of the region’s most rapidly growing deep-sea container ports, and handled over 2.6 million TEU in 2007.

During the 2007 Southwest Monsoon (Khareef) season in Southern Oman, Port of Salalah and Cavotec carried out extensive trials of the MoorMaster® 600 automated mooring system. The largest ships moored during the trials were PS Class (346m LOA) vessels, displacing 112,000 DWT. Cavotec and the Port of Salalah are planning to continue testing the MoorMaster® 600 on the largest container ships in the world, which measure up to 396 meters in length, meanwhile the system is used frequently on vessels calling the port.

The system is designed to provide an automated mooring solution and eliminate vessel surge caused by changes in wave dynamics Such wave action causes vessels’ moored with conventional mooring lines to require extra time for container cranes to load and discharge containers, affecting productivity. The increased stability of the vessel at the wharf also improves safety conditions for terminal personnel working the ship.

We’ve won a contract from South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries to supply four hydrodynamic cable reels and cables for four Goliath cranes. Cavotec has also received an order for two sets of pull and store cable reels, spreader reels, and cables from Doosan Heavy Industries, also based in South Korea.

The cable reels and cables for Samsung will be used at the company’s shipyards in South Korea. The equipment ordered by Doosan will see service at the Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) in Indonesia.

Deliveries for both deals are due to be completed this year.

We are pleased to announce that Cavotec MSL has acquired the Dabico Group, a leading international manufacturer of airport ground support equipment.

From its US and UK-based manufacturing operations, Dabico engineers in-ground airport supply systems that provide safe and efficient delivery of aviation fuel and utilities to all types of commercial and military aircraft. Over the past 40 years, Dabico has supplied these systems to aircraft manufacturers, airlines and airports all over the world.  Commercial customers include, among others, The Boeing Company, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa, JAL, British Airways, and international airports in New York, Los Angeles, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Auckland. Defence customers include Andrews AFB / Air Force One, the US Coast Guard, Edwards AFB, Ramstein AFB, and the Royal Saudi Air Force.

In 2007, Dabico generated sales of USD 13.2 million and levels of profitability in-line with our targets.  Consistent with its acquisition philosophy, we expect to further develop the Dabico business by supporting the current management team and employees, with Bill Fischer as President (US) and Gary Matthews as Managing Director (UK). Going forward, Dabico will operate under the name of Cavotec Dabico.

We have started off with another strong Order Intake during Q1. Compared to last year, Q1 Order Intake rose 4.1% to €35,7 million.  Our last 12 months Order Intake is up to €135,1 million, an 11.8% increase over last year.  The consolidated Order Book currently stands at €40,5 million.

Highlights of Q1 include the first MoorMaster™ order in Scandinavia, from Denmark-based Nordic Ferry Services AS.  Further, Cavotec Middle East delivered the first ever radio remote control system for use on a land-based drill rig in the Middle East.  Also of note is an order receieved by Cavotec Shanghai for cable chains to be used during the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Read the report in full.

We are proud to announce that we have become a Strategic Partner with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA’s mission is to represent, lead and serve the airline industry. Its members comprise some 240 airlines – the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines among them – representing 94 percent of scheduled international traffic.

The association is the primary industry forum through which Member airlines and their Partners develop global aviation standards. IATA Strategic Partners are suppliers and service providers of the air transport industry who, as members of IATA Strategic Partnerships, interact with IATA and Member airlines in the development of industry solutions – perfect for us!