The M/S "Ulusoy 14" is a ro-ro ferry operated by Ulusoy Sealines based in Turkey. The shipping company has many years of experience in Mediterranean traffic and is represented in Italy by the general agent Samer & Co Shipping. The ship operates a regular liner service between Cesme, west of Izmir in Turkey, and the Adriatic port of Trieste. In future, Ulusoy Sealines will call at HHLA PLT Italy every Saturday to unload and load trucks, trailers and swap bodies. The ship has a length of 208 meters and a capacity of 4,100 lane meters. For RoRo handling, HHLA PLT Italy has a new ramp with a width of 35 meters to handle the latest generation of RoRo vessels used in the Mediterranean.

Philip Sweens, Managing Director of HHLA International: "I am very pleased that we have won Ulusoy Sealines as a customer for our new Adriatic terminal. Together with its Italian partners and a highly motivated workforce, HHLA has worked intensively over the past few months to ensure the successful start of operations at HHLA PLT Italy. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Port Authority Trieste and all the authorities and approval bodies involved who helped to make this first call possible."

Mesut Cesur, General Manager Ulusoy Sealines Management SA: "We congratulate HHLA on its investment in the HHLA PLT İtaly Terminal in Trieste and on the start of operations with the M/S 'Ulusoy 14' as the first vessel. We are proud to be the first shipping company to use the PLT-

terminal under the management of HHLA. We regard HHLA as a globally renowned and very experienced terminal and port operator. We wish HHLA every success in our joint cooperation and in the future management of their new terminal in Italy. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the Port Authority of Trieste and our business partner Sa-mer & Co. for their great commitment and cooperation for the operational start of the PLT terminal."

Antonio Barbara is responsible for the management of HHLA PLT Italy

Antonio Barbara took over the management of the new HHLA PLT Italy terminal in Trieste at the beginning of March. The 46-year-old, who holds Italian and Turkish citizenship, has more than 20 years of experience in management positions in the port industry. He is also well connected in the maritime industry in the Mediterranean region through his previous professional positions. Barbara previously worked as Managing Director and in management positions for terminal companies in Genoa and Salerno (Italy) and Gemlik (Turkey).

"We are delighted that we have been able to recruit Antonio Barbara, an accomplished and experienced manager, for the new HHLA terminal in Trieste. With his expertise in the management and development of multipurpose terminal facilities and his sales experience, he is an excellent fit for our team," says Sweens, who as Managing Director of HHLA International is responsible for the Hamburg-based group's international business. "I wish him every success in his new role and look forward to working with him."