MOL starts test of Vessel Image Recognition System using AI Technology

TOKYO: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced the joint development, along with SenseTime Japan Ltd., of a new vessel image recognition and recording system, and the system’s installation for demonstration testing aboard the cruise ship “Nippon Maru” operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Passenger Line, Ltd. The system’s graphic recognition engine was developed by incorporating MOL’s knowledge and applying artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning technology, allowing it to recognize surrounding vessels. The system recognizes and automatically records vessels with high accuracy using a terminal equipped with a graphic processing unit (GPU) and ultrahigh-resolution cameras.

The image recognition technology, which can be used even at night or during other periods of poor visibility, can detect small vessels (International treaty and domestic law require vessels to be equipped with AIS, but the regulations do not apply to ocean-going freighters of less than 300 gross tonnes and coastal vessels of less than 500 gross tonnes) that are not recognizable by vessel automatic identification systems (AIS). MOL views advanced image recognition as an underlying technology needed for automated watch-keeping, as the company works to realize the autonomous smart ships of the future.

Since this system automatically records image data, MOL plans to carefully review the accumulated data and use it to further enhance the image recognition engine’s analysis accuracy.

MOL positions the navigation support system featuring image recognition, such as the AR voyage information display system , which is already in practical use, as part of its challenge project, called the “FOCUS EYE” series. The company continues to develop and modify the system, which supports crewmembers’ watch-keeping while underway, to enhance safe operation and speed up the automation of watch-keeping, with the long-term goal of realizing autonomous smart ships, said a MOL release.

DP World’s International Container Transhipment Terminal, Cochin achieves new Productivity Record September 17 , 2019

COCHIN: Global trade enabler DP World operated International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) has recorded yet another successful month of exemplary growth registering a record high. The Country’s first international transshipment gateway registered a throughput of 57590 TEUs for the month of August breaking the previous best of 56598 TEUs in March 2019. The terminal volumes on a Year till date (YTD) basis has grown by 14%.

ICTT which is India’s first full-fledged trans-shipment harbour’s growth was enabled through new services like the China-India Service (CI2) service started in April 2019 by Wanhai Lines and CONCOR’s coastal service that started in January this year. Among the new initiatives in pipeline isthe new direct Europe service by Hapag Lloyd / ONE / Cosco / OOCL / YML expected to start in Nov 2019. Excellent coastal connectivity to ports in South, East & West India makes Cochin Port ideal for cargo trans-shipment and volumes grew by 55%YoY August.

The ICTT Cochin was also ranked 1st in the Annual Port Liner Shipping Connectivity Index released by

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) among South Indian ports.

Mr. Praveen Thomas Joseph, CEO, DP World Cochin, said, “2019 so far has been an encouraging year for us.

The minimal deviation from the Asia-Middle East and Asia-Europe shipping lanes makes Cochin a trans-shipment choice for International ship liners. Apart from India’s Export-Import business, our port is capable of handling traffic from other subcontinent markets.”

“Against this backdrop, we have achieved good volume growth, thanks to the support from our customers and partners globally. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to our people and partners for their steadfast dedication and spirited contributions throughout the year. They handled the increased complexity and operational demands effectively, enabling DP World to be a valued partner for our customers.”

DP World Cochin continues to thrive on initiatives providing smart trade solutions and adding value to the supply chain by engaging with their customers and stakeholders. This includes, successful implementation of Bharat Trade for paperless transactions, RFID based automated gates reducing man vehicle interface, improved safety, reduction in transaction time and 24 x 7 customs to facilitate direct port entry. This has resulted in TTT (Truck Turn Around) time of 32 minutes which is one of the best in India. ICTT continues to reign on its leadership position in container trade, offering direct services from Australia, Fareast, South East Asia and Middle East to Cochin and from Cochin to Fareast, Middle East

Evergreen to order Ten 23,000 TEUs Containerships September 17 , 2019

TAIWAN: Evergreen has confirmed its plans to build a total of ten 23,000 TEU Containerships.
According to the company’s stock exchange filing, the new vessels would be built at three shipyards.
Namely, six units would be built by South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries, while two each would be constructed at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard and Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding.
Evergreen said that the value of the entire order stands between USD 1.4 billion and USD 1.6 billion. The company opted for the move as part of its fleet optimisation plans.
With this decision, Evergreen has amended its earlier announced plans to build and charter up to 11 containership giants. Under the deals from August 2019, worth around USD 1.76 billion, the company was to order five or six vessels to be built, while up to five units were to be chartered in.

PSA’s CITPL increases vessel productivity record for South and East India September 17 , 2019

CHENNAI: Chennai International Terminals Pvt Ltd (CITPL) has set a new vessel productivity record of 171 moves per hour for South and East India.

The terminal handled 3,023 moves in just under 19 hours on 12 September 2019, for the 4,252 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) vessel “Wan Hai 507”. CITPL’s achievement surpassed the earlier South and East India record of 168 moves per hour, which was also set by CITPL in August 2016.

Capt. T. MadhanMohan, General Manager of CITPL, said, “CITPL has again raised the bar for terminal productivity in South and East India. Achieving a vessel rate of 171 moves per hour translates directly into cost savings for shipping lines and port users.

We are immensely grateful to Wan Hai Lines for their support and close cooperation, as well as to our staff for their commitment and teamwork.

“We are also working closely alongside Chennai Port Trust to enhance the competitiveness of the Port. Recent reductions in vessel related charges, increases in free time for direct port deliveries (DPD) and direct port exports (DPE), streamlining of road access, cuts in short haul rail charges by Indian Railways and the development of an empty container depot inside the Port area are just some of the initiatives being taken by stakeholders towards this objective.”

Mr P Raveendran, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust, said, “We compliment the CITPL team on setting this new operational record, and in surpassing their previous milestone. CITPL’s progress is an integral part of Chennai Port’s offerings as part of our long-term commitment to the trade for sustainable operations.”

Also commenting on the achievement from Wan Hai Lines (India), “We salute PSA Chennai’s achievement! The levels of efficiency and reliability demonstrated week in week out by the terminal allow us, as a long term customer, to optimize our operational planning  and so realise the benefits to our network and for our customers. We look forward to the next milestone.”

India to host Dubai like mega shopping fests to boost exports September 17 , 2019

NEW DELHI: As part of the steps taken to boost exports, India will organise annual mega shopping festivals, similar to the ones held in Dubai, to facilitate exchange between global producers and consumers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said recently. 

She said that these "mega shopping festivals" will be held at four destinations across the Country and their themes will vary.

Coastal Shipping grown by 14.3% in current fiscal year

AHMEDABAD: Dilip Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of Sagarmala Development Company Ltd of the Government of India, said that Coastal Shipping in 2018-19 has increased by 14.3% year-on-year basis.
He said that keeping in mind the projected traffic of 2,500 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA), a roadmap has been created to increase Indian Port capacity to more than 3,300MTPA. In 2018-19, India had handled 1,275MTPA.
Gupta was talking at IIT-Gandhinagar as part of Dr A N Khosla Lecture Series organized by IIT Roorkee Alumni Association, Ahmedabad.
Gupta in his talk said that port engineering has a huge potential for job creation with Sagarmala project of Rs 8 lakh crore. “It will not only reduce logistics cost for both Export-Import operations and domestic trade but will also create jobs and bridge the skills gap in ports and the maritime sector,” he said.
“Modal shift to waterways will reduce the cost of transportation,” Gupta said.

Two export schemes may shift out of Commerce Department to ease process

NEW DELHI: The Government is contemplating a revamp of the Department of Commerce and certain incentive schemes that fall under it, as it aims at administrative easing to boost exports and domestic manufacturing.
The Commerce and Industry Ministry and Finance Ministry are discussing the idea of bringing the new exports incentives scheme — Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) — as well as the existing Advance Authorisation Scheme, within the remit of the drawback committee under the Revenue Department, said people aware of the matter.
At present, the Advance Authorisation Scheme is with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), an arm of the Commerce and Industry Ministry. RoSCTL is a replacement of the DGFT’s Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), which was challenged by the US last year for violating global trade rules. It will allow reimbursement of duties on export inputs and indirect taxes through freely transferable scrips.
“There is a feeling that making the Revenue Department solely responsible for these schemes will help in Ease of Doing Business and reduce transaction time for exporters,” said an official, who did not wish to be identified.
The restructuring plan comes in the wake of 0.37% decline in outward shipments in April-July to $107.41 billion, while imports contracted 3.63% to $166.8 billion. Separately, the Government has also discussed putting the External Affairs Ministry in charge of India’s trade negotiations, which at present is the core function of the Commerce Department.