CMA CGM Group strengthens its leading role in sustainable Shipping by introducing CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC, its 4th LNG-powered ship

MARSEILLE: Containerships, an expert in Intra-Europe and a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, is pleased to announce it took delivery of its Fourth Container Ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the 1,380-TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC.
Containerships’ fourth LNG ship: CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC
After the successful introduction of its three sister ships, the CMA CGM Group took delivery of the CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC on December 10th, 2019. Once it will have made its way from Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard to Europe,
the vessel’s first LNG bunkering will be carried out in Rotterdam. There, it will fuel an approximate of 200 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas via ship-to-ship bunkering.
The ship will then be phased into CMA CGM’s Baltic feeder services, before joining Containerships’ BALT-1 short-sea line in early 2021.
CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC
A Group committed to environmentally-friendlier global economic exchanges
A leading intra-European carrier, Containerships was the first European operator to use LNG as the main fuel source, including sea and land transportation. The CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC will perfectly complement Containerships’ innovative and sustainable multimodal transportation portfolio. This forms an integral part of the CMA CGM Group’s environmental strategy.
Thanks to its ambitious environmental initiatives, CMA CGM Group has reduced its CO2 emissions per container transported by 50% between 2005 and 2015 and has set a new reduction target of an additional 30% by 2025.
This will be achieved through a number of leading initiatives:

•    A pioneering commitment to the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for large capacity vessels. LNG reduces sulphur oxide and fine particulate emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85% and CO2 emissions by around 20%. By the end of 2022, the CMA CGM Group will have around 20 LNG-powered vessels;

•    CMA CGM has decided that none of its vessels will use the Northern Sea Routes in order to preserve the fragile and unique ecosystems of the Arctic. CMA CGM was the

first Group in the world to make this commitment,

which was welcomed and followed by many actors in the maritime industry;

•    The world’s first partnership to successfully test a

latest-generation biofuel, made from recycled vegetable oils and forest residues, that reduces CO2 emissions by 80% over the entire life cycle. The test was carried out in partnership with IKEA;

•    The development of numerous advanced eco-technologies on the Group’s fleet to improve its performance and reduce energy consumption: optimization of bows’ shape for better hydrodynamic efficiency, innovations on the propellers and the engines to reduce fuel and oil consumption;

•    The creation of a Fleet Center to which all the Group’s vessels (506) are connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; this unique system in the maritime transport industry makes it possible to optimize shipping routes in order to combine operational efficiency, safety and fuel consumption optimization, thus reducing CO2 emissions.

At a glance – CONTAINERSHIPS ARCTIC:
•             Capacity: 1,380 TEU / 360 Reefer Plugs
•             LOA, Width, Draft: 170m, 29.6m, 9.6m
•             Propulsion: Dual-Fuel LNG (10080 kW)
•             Ice Class: 1A
•             Shipyard: Guangzhou Wenchong Shipyard.
 

China's first Autonomous Cargo Ship makes maiden voyage

BEIJING: Jin Dou Yun 0 Hao, China’s first autonomous cargo ship, has made its maiden voyage in Zhuhai, Guangdong.

The ship was developed by Yunzhou Tech, a Zhuhai-based technology company in collaboration with Zhuhai Municipal Government, Wuhan University of Technology and CCS at the end of 2017, and was delivered in November this year.

The  unmanned cargo ship will reduce 20% construction cost, 20% operation cost and 15% fuel consumption.

Zhang Yunfei, President of Yunzhou Tech said that the company will further test the technology application of the ship and actively explore the commercial use of the ship for ship supply and ocean economy.

Zhuhai started construction of Wanshan autonomous ship test ground in 2018, which is the first autonomous ship test ground in Asia. It will become the World’s largest autonomous ship test ground after completion.

Yunzhou Tech, established in 2010, is engaged in autonomous ship development, production and solution provision.

OOCL honored with Excellence in Environmental Management in 2019 Lloyd's List Europe Awards

HONG KONG: OOCL was very honored to receive the “Excellence in Environmental Management” award at the 2019 Lloyd's List Europe Awards ceremony in London on December 10, 2019.  Formerly known as the Lloyd’s List Global Awards, this awards program is one of the most anticipated events in the industry, recognizing excellence across the maritime sector.

The “Excellence in Environmental Management” award pays tribute to a company which has made significant contributions to minimizing marine environment pollution. The assessment covers

several areas such as environmental friendly ship designs and operation, reductions in fossil fuel use, and the green impact from corporate sustainability policies.

OOCL believes all businesses should be responsible for their effects on the environment.  In our sustainable economic development agenda over the years, we have adopted many effective environmental initiatives ranging from stakeholder engagements with environment-focused organizations, green investments on our vessels, to the development of related digital technologies to better manage fuel consumption and thereby reduce unnecessary emissions. 

Receiving the award on behalf of OOCL, Mr. Derek O’Galligan, Managing Director of OOCL – UK Branch said: “OOCL is very pleased to be acknowledged for our commitment and performance in environmental excellence.  This award is undeniably a huge encouragement for us to continue taking a proactive and responsible role in our environmental agenda and strive for a more sustainable future.  It is an important milestone reflecting our efforts in building a sound sustainability profile in the industry.  

Moving forward, OOCL will continue to work closely with our business partners and stakeholders to embrace our long-term sustainability goals.”

Over the years, OOCL has consistently outperformed many international requirements and industry standards by implementing many important green initiatives and constantly preparing ourselves to face the ever increasingly stringent environmental regulations and challenges of the future. As a responsible and committed member of the international community, OOCL will advance for further improvements in all aspects of our business for a greener future in the generations to come.

Port of Antwerp joins 1st initiative in Belgium by collaborating with 7 leading players for hydrogen transport

ANTWERP: Hydrogen has an important role to play in the mix of applications for significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

That's why Deme, Engie, Exmar, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and WaterstofNet have teamed up. A joint study will form the basis for a number of concrete projects to produce, transport and store hydrogen.

Combining expertise

Generating sufficient renewable energy to produce hydrogen is crucial for the viability of a hydrogen economy. However, Belgium currently does not have enough wind or solar power to produce hydrogen, and so it will have to be imported.

Efficient, economic solutions for the import, transport and storage of hydrogen will demand specialist expertise.

The seven companies involved will combine their respective know-how so as to arrive at shared solutions and projects.

Roadmap for hydrogen as a form of energy

In the first phase the partners will carry out a joint analysis of the end-to-end chain of importation and transport of hydrogen. The objective is to map out the financial, technical and regulatory aspects of the various links in the supply chain, including production, loading/unloading and transport by sea and by pipeline. The results of the analysis will provide a roadmap showing the best way to carry hydrogen for the various applications in the energy and chemical sectors.

The analysis is expected to take around one year to complete.

Bangladesh to allow Indian Transhipment goods without Custom Duties & Transit Fees from Jan 2020

NEW DELHI: Bangladesh will allow transhipment of Indian goods via Chittagong and Mongla sea ports from January without charging Customs Duties and Transit fees.

The decision, considered a new phase in connectivity between the two countries, was agreed upon when Bangladesh Shipping Secretary Md. Abdus Samad met his Indian counterpart Gopal Krishna at the Shipping Secretary-level talks in Dhaka recently.

Earlier, the Standard Operating Procedures to allow transhipment of Indian goods to and fro from landlocked North-Eastern States was agreed upon during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Delhi in October.

The move will give further push to India's Act East policy by connecting North-Eastern States with SE Asia.

Bangladesh expects that such connectivity between the countries will open up greater economic opportunities, strengthen infrastructure and boost business, according to Dhaka-based officials.

“We are yet to decide the date of the first trial run, but it is likely to be in January next year. A container cargo is likely to operate either through Chittagong Port or Mongla Port to the Indian State of Tripura through the Agartala and Akhaura river routes,” said Abdus Samad.

Customs fees are not applicable as it is a bilateral agreement between the two countries. But India will pay duties and taxes as per Bangladesh's tariff schedule for ports. It will also pay fees for using roads in line with the policy of the Bangladesh Road and Highways Division, officials said.

Seven routes have been suggested for the movement of goods and passenger vessels between

North-Eastern States and two ports. These include Chittagong Port or Mongla Port to Agartala via Akhaura; Chittagong or Mongla Port to Dawki via Tamabil; Chittagong or Mongla Port to Sutarkandi via Sheola; and Chittagong or Mongla to Bibekbazar via Simantapur.

Meanwhile, passengers travelling on cruise ships to India and Bangladesh will get on-arrival visas at the ports.

It may be recalled that operations of cruise ships from Narayanganj (Bangladesh) to Kolkata began on a trial basis in March this year.

MSC continues to invest in Low-Carbon Future: operating modern, green fleet

GENEVA: MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, a global leader in transportation moving 21 million containers per year, remains committed in investing in its green and efficient fleet via the largest container shipping investment program in the industry.

MSC operates a modern, green fleet and is investing heavily in low-carbon technologies and extensive new-build and retrofit programmes to boost performance and minimise our environmental impact.

MSC’s fleet improvement program has resulted in a 13% reduction in CO2 emissions per transport work in 2015-18 and will help the container shipping industry make progress towards the United Nations International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 CO2 targets.

A combination of the latest green technologies and greater economies of scale have helped reduce energy requirements over time. MSC has increased average capacity per ship from 2,500 TEU in 2003 to 6,500 TEU in 2018, which is significantly higher than the average market figures. With the introduction of the Gülsün Class vessels, MSC is further improving our environmental performance as bigger ships generally emit less CO2 per container carried, helping companies which move goods on MSC’s services to lower the carbon footprint of their supply chains.

The latest newbuilding additions to the fleet – led by  MSC Gülsün, the largest container ship in the World – has introduced a new class of sustainable container shipping, with the lowest carbon footprint by design, at 7.49 grams of CO2 emissions to move 1 ton of cargo 1 nautical mile.

MSC Gülsün features a remarkable approach to energy efficiency with the shape of the bow designed to enhance energy efficiency by reducing hull resistance. State-of-the-art engineering minimises wind resistance, resulting in lower fuel consumption.

To comply with an upcoming marine fuel regulation in 2020, the ship is also equipped with a UN IMO-approved hybrid Exhaust Gas Cleaning System and has the option of switching to low-Sulphur fuel, or to be adapted for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the future.

Chinese Port influence overhyped : Drewry

LONDON: Global expansion and influence by Chinese port companies is not as significant as the hype that surrounds it, a maritime consultancy has said.
Continued media coverage has ensured Chinese port players remain a Major Port sector topic, but their growth figures have had less of an impact than the scrutiny that fuels interest in their movements, suggests Drewry.
Speaking during Drewry’s latest ports and terminals market briefing, Neil Davidson, Senior Analyst, Port and Terminals, said that data showed that Chinese operators have gained their strongest market shares in Europe and central America, but haven’t made significant progress in South America or Asia.
“It’s not easy to find the right opportunities,” Mr Davidson said, adding Chinese companies are paying a premium
but are competing with other operators. “There have been some major acquisitions but the global container market is a big one.”
Looking at the Belt and Road initiative, he observed that the focus is now more on domestic consolidation due to perceived disorganisation in the country’s ports market.
China Cosco Shipping and CMP have recorded average equity TEU  growth rates of 11% and 9% per annum since 2013. This is largely due to organic growth and M&A activity. Hutchinson has fared less well, seeing its volumes plateau in recent years due to its Hong Kong base.

Slow growth continues

Overall in the market, this is the sixth consecutive quarter of slower growth and port sector trading is at its lowest P/E valuation in five years. However, there are new port projects being developed and these have a strong focus on logistics and landside distribution.