Port cities and container terminal ports are rapidly evolving with continuous investment in state-of-the-art technology, with diversified and powerful manipulation tools and trained and skilled workers. In addition to investing in equipment, it must also be regularly maintained, as only properly functioning machinery can perform its function smoothly.
In my thesis, I focused on the operation of a coastal container lift, which is only one of the many, probably the first, notable first among the many specialized work aids at a container terminal. As container ships grew in order to minimize the cost per unit transported, in line with the concept of economies of scale, ports that wished to remain competitive and be able to accommodate such ships had to adapt. The height and extension of the lift are inextricably linked to the maximum vessel size that can be taken into port. In this way, the decision to invest in offshore container lifts also becomes a strategic choice - the terminal may serve larger vessels or not. It is not only a matter of weighing the return on investment, but of deciding whether to upgrade the cranes, as this creates conditions that can be crucial for the future of the terminal.
With the modernization of the terminal, large investments are made that the investor returns through depreciation; for lifts, this is 20 years, but not for all elevator elements, which should be reasonably taken into account. In order for the lift to operate effectively, a team of 15 people is needed, two of which are cranes in an 8-hour shift. The elevator needs electricity, and how much it consumes per hour depends on the modernity of the elevator. As mentioned earlier, lifts must be maintained to prevent unexpected damage and associated losses and costs. Maintenance costs depend primarily on the age and operating mode of the lift. The cost of securing elevators should be added to these costs. Based on this information and the planned throughput, terminalists prepare tariffs that cover all costs while remaining competitive with other ports in the region.
The Koper Container Terminal has also been heavily invested in equipment and infrastructure in recent years. The acquisition of two new, more powerful lifts, the Super Post Panamax, has proven to be a good investment, enabling giant ships to enter the port, providing the port with important direct connections to major global markets.
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