Maersk vessels will be assisting global research efforts on weather patterns and climate change by committing 300 company-owned vessels to participate in the global Voluntary Observing Ship program. While Maersk already has many vessels contributing to the VOS, the newly expanded commitment will see its entire fleet participating by the end of 2020. The recorded data helps meteorologists create more accurate weather and storm forecasts – and will also be used in the creation of atmosphereocean models that will help scientists better understand climate change.

“As a global container logistics company, our vessels form a vital role in keeping supply chains moving safely and timely. Helping weather forecasting and climate science advance makes great sense to us, since both of these areas affect our operations in various ways,” said Aslak Ross, Maersk’s Head of Marine Standards.

Improving data accuracy and efficiency – digitally

While scientists have been collecting and sharing weather and ocean condition observations for over 150 years around the world, technological advances have significantly increased the amount of information which can be shared.

A typical VOS records and transmits observations manually, with a vessel crewmember reading data from instruments onboard the ship, or in some cases through automated weather stations (AWS). The data is then sent to the various National Meteorological Services for use in weather prediction models and to monitor actual conditions at sea.

To obtain more data with higher precision, the first five Maersk vessels participating in the VOS program are equipped with a more advanced type of AWS, called the European Common Automatic Weather Station (EUCAWS). The EUCAWS system automatically collects data on atmospheric pressure, air temperature and relative humidity and transmits them hourly to designated research stations. By the end of 2020, a total of 50 such stations are planned to be operational on Maersk vessels, providing the largest fleet of AWS from a single company.

FESCO Transportation Group has started seasonal cargo transportation to the ports of the Chukotka Autonomous Area within the northern delivery program.

General cargo vessel ‘FESCO Posyet’ sailed on 7 June. The vessel will deliver about 4 thousand tons of containerized and general cargo to the ports of Anadyr and Egvekinot. The approximate date of arrival of this general cargo vessel to Chukotka is 16 June.

Cargo delivery is carried out as part of the FESCO Anadyr Direct Line linear service and is to last until the end of October. During the summer navigation season, FESCO vessels are going to make 6 voyages to Chukotka in total.

The FADL service carries out regular transportation of general cargo, as well as any cargo in dry, refrigerated SOS and SOC containers, operating in both the inter-port traffic and direct mixed rail-water ftraffic. In 2019 FESCO transported 1 415 TEU and over 500 tons of general cargo on the Vladivostok-Anadyr-Egvekinot-Vladivostok rotation.

The Group’s ships annually deliver cargo to the northern ports of Russia during the summer navigation season, this way FESCO successfully implements the program of supplying commodities to the areas with limited open-water periods.

ZIM launched eZ Quote, a new digital service which enables new and existing customers to receive online Spot quotes as well book their shipment with guaranteed space on board the designated vessel.

The new advanced platform makes Quoting & Booking friction free, quicker and easier, available 24/7, including Chat support. eZ Quote offering will be increasing globally gradually supporting standard dry-van containers only at this stage.

eZ Quote is part of ZIM’s growing array of advanced digital services being offered to its customers. Especially during these days, in which the entire global economy still faces the lasting implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, eZ Quote makes it particularly easier for customers to maintain business continuity with ZIM.

Eli Glickman, ZIM President & CEO: “We continue to develop and introduce new advanced digital tools for our customers, with our customers! We made it our mission to listen to our customers and come up with solutions that are best suited for their needs. Our digital abilities always come with a personal touch.”

“eZ Quote aims to make quoting and booking as easy as booking a flight or any other service online,” says Assaf Tiran, ZIM’s VP Global Customer Service. “Customers will benefit priority booking confirmation, loading guarantee, along with a timely delivery. As ZIM’s vision states, we practice ‘Innovative Shipping Dedicated to You’ and eZ Quote is another initiative, among many others, as part of our constant effort for Making It Easier for customers to do business with us, ensuring they will enjoy the best customer experience a shipping company can offer!”