Maritime

Port Bronka strengths support for Russian participants in foreign economic activity

Published

7 days ago

May 14, 2020

Port Bronka

Port Bronka strengths support for Russian participants in foreign economic activity. Image: Port Bronka

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Port Bronka continues to strengthen the support for Russian participants in foreign economic activity in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

The port provides the possibility of cargo accumulation without additional financial burden on cargo owners until the end of 2020. This will allow storing of export goods up to 60 free days, and importing goods up to 30 free days at the port yard. This measure is applicable to all cargoes that will arrive at the port before the end of the year.

These are not the first measures taken by port Bronka to support participants in foreign economic activity who are in a difficult situation due to the development of COVID-19. Earlier, in mid-April 2020, the port has already provided additional space for foreign trade participants to accommodate goods. Thus, cargo was able to stay on the territory of the port twice as long as usual without additional financial burden on cargo owners.

Maritime

Port of Gothenburg container traffic in full flow as European ports falter

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2020

Port of Gothenburg

Port of Gothenburg container traffic in full flow as European ports falter. Image: Port of Gothenburg

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Ports throughout Europe have been hit hard by the current Covid-19 pandemic. This can be seen clearly in the recently published volume statistics from Europe’s largest ports. They are also feeling the knock-on effect of cancelled calls – in many cases up to 30 per cent. In contrast, the Port of Gothenburg has increased its container volume, there have been no cancelled calls, and none are planned.

Figures published by the port authorities reveal that container volumes at the 10 largest ports in Europe fell by an average of five per cent during the first quarter compared with last year. In contrast, container volumes at the Port of Gothenburg increased by eight per cent during the same period.

“The European trend is striking although at the same time we are particularly proud that thanks to our consistently high level of customer service and a flexible and developed product offering we have emerged unscathed,” said Dennis Olesen, chief executive of the container terminal operator APM Terminals Gothenburg.

According to Elvir Dzanic, Port of Gothenburg chief executive, the open approach adopted by Sweden to the world, and the fact that Swedish industry has continued to export during the Covid-19 pandemic, are further factors that make the Port of Gothenburg the exception in the European port statistics table.

“We offer a wide range of services, a highly efficient rail infrastructure, and the capacity to remain sustainable even more testing times. Freight flows from all over the country are being concentrated increasingly on Gothenburg as companies reassess their logistics concepts.”

No cancelled calls in Gothenburg

Large numbers of calls by ocean-going vessels were cancelled at European ports during the first quarter, disrupting freight flows. In Gothenburg, no direct calls have been cancelled – services to and from Asia using the world’s largest vessels have continued, week in, week out.

“Weekly services between Gothenburg and Asia have proved to be the most important lifeline for Swedish imports and exports. Ensuring traffic continues without disruption is vital. And we also see more goods able to become rail born and move through Gothenburg, which is reassuring as it brings continuity to Swedish trade with the world,” said Dennis Olesen.

Despite the difficulty of predicting when the Covid-19 pandemic might end, Elvir Dzanic is upbeat about the future, both for the port in general and for container traffic in particular.

“As we were among the first to react to the Covid-19 pandemic, with quick, decisive measures early on, we were able to assure access to this major freight hub, allowing us to stay focused on the road ahead. Together with the other companies at the port we are working ceaselessly to satisfy the needs of the market through a series of key initiatives, including deepening of the fairway, enhancing transshipment potential, and expanding the port’s rail concept, which is already one of the most successful in the world,” said Elvir Dzanic.

Maritime

NYK successfully tests remote navigation of tugboat

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2020

NYK LINE

NYK successfully tests remote navigation of tugboat. Image: NYK Line

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NYK and its group companies MTI Co. Ltd., Keihin Dock Co. Ltd., and Japan Marine Science Inc. have successfully tested the remote navigation of a tugboat as a part of the Japanese government’s Sea Trial Project on Remote Control Navigation.*

Outline of the Remote Navigation Test

Within Tokyo Bay, a tugboat** equipped with a manned remotely controlled system*** was operated remotely from an operation center in the city of Nishinomiya in Hyogo prefecture approximately 400 kilometers away.

This tugboat was maneuvered approximately 12 kilometers in Tokyo Bay between an area off Honmoku and an area off the port of Yokosuka.

The operator in the remote operation center was able to use sensors and cameras equipped to the tugboat to recognize surrounding conditions and created a route plan and action plan (collision avoidance route plan). The operator shared the plans with the tugboat captain, who then approved them. The conditions that remotely navigated tugboat proceeded operations in accordance with the approved route plan and action plan were confirmed and evaluated.

Video of the Remote Navigation Test

Environment

‘e5 Consortium’ established to promote zero-emission electric vessel

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2020

MOL

‘e5 Consortium’ established to promote zero-emission electric vessel. Image: MOL

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Seven companies-Asahi Tanker Co., Ltd., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Exeno Yamamizu Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., Tokyo Electric Power Company, and Mitsubishi Corporation-today announced establishment of the “e5 Consortium,” with the goal of establishing new ocean shipping infrastructure services through various initiatives to develop, realize, and commercialize zero-emission electric vessels.

Coastal shipping in Japan faces structural issues such as a shortage of mariners due to the aging of the seagoing workforce, not to mention the aging of the vessels. In addition, the ocean shipping industry has urged the coastal shipping industry to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as one of Japan’s measures to address climate change.

The seven e5 Consortium corporate members are focusing their attention on fulfilling the potential of electric vessels to solve these urgent issues. The consortium aims to establish a platform that offers innovative ocean shipping infrastructure services based on electric vessels bringing to bear the strength, technological know-how, networks, and other advantages of each member company.

As the first phrase of the project, the consortium plans to launch the world’s first zero-emission electric tanker, powered by large-capacity lithium ion batteries, in March 2022 (Note 1). e5 Lab. Inc. will serve as the executive office of the e5 Consortium.

The e5 Consortium will promote the sustainable growth of coastal shipping in Japan and contribute to the nation’s social and economic development by providing added value to the coastal shipping industry through the development and introduction of advanced vessels.

What is ‘e5’?
A provider of safe, reliable, and high-quality transport service, based on the realization of five core values: “electrification,” “environment,” “evolution,” “efficiency,” and “economics.”