Boston reports more direct containerized cargo

Boston reports more direct containerized cargo The Massachusetts Port Authority said Tuesday that even though overall container volumes were down 5 percent in 2008 when compared to the prior year, the number of containers moving directly to the port rose 5.5 percent.
   'The Port of Boston saw an increase in container volume from our direct call steamship lines, which is more than 90 percent of our business,' said Mike Leone, port director for Massport. 'It is the most reliable and cost-effective way for trade-dependent companies to compete in the global marketplace.'
   Direct call TEUs grew to roughly 193,000 while total TEUs at Conley Terminal in 2008 was about 209,000. Direct call growth was the result of an increase in the amount of cargo handled by Mediterranean Shipping Co., China Ocean Shipping Co. and its vessel-sharing partners in the CKYH alliance — 'K' Line, Yang Ming Line and Hanjin Shipping.
   The port said the overall decline can be attributed to the termination of two services and decreased volumes on the barge service between New York and Boston.
   The port said Conley Terminal significantly improved its efficiency in part from nearly a $30 million upgrade completed in 2007, and the redesign of the terminal's main entrance gate completed in fall 2008. The new gate configuration extends the queuing line much farther into the terminal, getting trucks off nearby residential streets. Truck turn-times at Conley Terminal improved significantly in 2008, averaging 32 minutes as compared to 39 minutes in 2007.