Freeport handles largest car transhipment operation in Malta

Over 2,400 cars were discharged at Malta Freeport Terminals making it the largest car transhipment operation of its type in Malta. The cars arrived on Saturday on the ro-ro ship 'Höegh Manila' which berthed at Terminal One North Quay.

The operation took place at the Freeport just a week after Malta Freeport announced the first call at its facilities of the Large Car Truck Carrier (LCTC)  m/v Fedora of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.

'Höegh Manila' arrived at Malta Freeport Terminals after calling at the ports of Chennai and Aqaba. The cars will eventually be transshipped to the port of Benghazi.

"Such operations are of great encouragement to Malta Freeport and the Company is confident that it is going to start reaping the benefits of its efforts in marketing its facilities for the transshipment of cars. Indeed, Malta Freeport Terminals has now established itself as a major maritime transshipment logistic centre in the Mediterranean presently ranking with the key players in the region. The company is currently pursuing various business projects to further consolidate its leading edge," a Malta Freeport spokesperson said in a statement.

The ro-ro ship 'Hoegh Manila' of Hoegh Autoliners has a capacity of 5,400 cars, a length of 180m, a beam of 32m, and a gross tonnage of 51,964.  Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of ro-ro vehicle transportation services connecting the Far East to the Mediterranean, North Europe and the North American continent.

In 2011, Höegh Autoliners carried about 1.86 million car equivalent units (ceu) and made almost 3,100 port calls. The company operates 44 owned and 15 long-term charter PCTCs (Pure Car and Truck Carriers) with capacity ranging from 2,300 to 7,800 ceu for deep-sea trades which are managed from a worldwide network of 30 offices in four regions. Höegh Autoliners is continuously investing in developing ship design and specification to enhance efficiency and environmental impact.

Höegh Autoliners is represented in Malta by Sullivan Maritime.