World Maritime News
WMNF 2019/07/11
- California lawmakers to consider bill restricting port automation
California lawmakers are scheduled to consider proposed legislation aimed at creating a new state-wide oversight body that would be empowered to approve or deny automation projects at state seaports. A bill currently under consideration would authorize the State Lands Commission to approve on a case-by-case basis the use of automated technology at seaports within its jurisdiction, which includes the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. While one party including ILWAU feels that automation at Pier 400 would adversely affect the local economy due to the significant loss of jobs held by dockworkers belonging to the ILWU, the Coalition for Responsible Transportation said the air quality benefits are obvious and the opportunity to reduce GHG emissions and harmful air pollutants cannot be allowed to be lost.
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- Key users back APMT’s Los Angeles automation plan
Rail, trucking and shipper groups announced their support on July 8 for a plan by APM Terminals to automate a portion of its container facility in Los Angeles as the harbor commission prepares for another important vote on the plan on July 11. The Coalition for Responsible Transportation, a coalition of truckers and Beneficiary Cargo Owners founded to promote clean-air goals at US seaports, noted that automation has been incorporated by some ports around the world and has proven to be effective in reducing harmful emissions through electrification of cargo-handling equipment. They also noted the contribution that automation can make in reducing operating costs in order to increase the competitiveness of California’s ports and stem the steady loss of market share to other North American ports. West Coast ports grabbed 48% of US containerized imports last year, down from 57% in 2005, according to PIERS.
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- EU overestimates shipping’s CO2 emissions by 18 million tons
The European Union has revised its official CO2 emissions data for shipping following a “clerical error” that attributed around 12% of total emissions. The European Commission and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) published the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification report (MRV) in the WEEK 27, showing emissions and fuel consumption data for all vessels above 5,000 GRT that used EU ports in 2018. The EU said vessels had emitted 152.25 million tons of CO2. But it has revised amount to 137.21 million tons, marking a 10% drop. This is the MRV’s first outing. The Commission, EMSA and verifiers should take this moment to rethink how they can eradicate mistakes. Read more:
https://mrv.emsa.europa.eu/#public/emission-report
https://mrv.emsa.europa.eu/#public/emission-report
- Drewry downgrades 2019 container growth forecast
Container shipping analyst Drewry has downgraded its forecast for global port throughput growth in 2019. The cut, to 3% from 3.9%, comes as trade and geopolitical tensions threaten a further slowing of global economic growth, while the regionalization of manufacturing supply chains and environmental concerns add further uncertainty. Further spreading of protectionist policies could stunt growth, particularly if the US aims its tariff target at other trading partners, Drewry says. Read more:
https://www.drewry.co.uk/maritime-research-products/container-forecaster-annual-subscription
- Hapag-Lloyd and ONE join TradeLens
Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express (ONE) have joined the Maersk and IBM led shipping data entity TradeLens which has been reinforced with adding CMA CGM and Mediterranean Shipping Co. as members since May. TradeLens container line members control more than 61% of global containership capacity, according to Alphaliner. Hapag-Lloyd and ONE will each operate a blockchain node, participate in consensus to validate transactions, host data, and act as validators for the network. The number of beneficiary cargo owners that have joined TradeLens has not been disclosed but the list includes DowDuPont, Torre Blanca/Camposol, Procter & Gamble, Trapac and Umit Bisiklet, according to the company. With five of the top six carriers now aligned with the platform, along with smaller players such as Zim and Pacific International Lines, TradeLens has become the de facto standard for blockchain in the container sector. Read more:
https://www.joc.com/technology/tradelens-boosts-arsenal-addition-hapag-lloyd-one_20190702.html
https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1128157/HapagLloyd-and-ONE-join-TradeLens
- Tianjin consolidates box terminals
The Port of Tianjin has agreed to remove two container terminal companies as the large harbor in northern China expects consolidation of business to enhance efficiency. Tianjin Five Continents International Container Terminal Co and Tianjin Orient Container Terminals, known as TOCT, will be merged into the Tianjin Port Container Terminal Co, known as TCT, according to Cosco Shipping Ports. Tianjin handled 16 million teu in 2018, a 6.2% rise from 2017.
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https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/LL1128153/Tianjin-consolidates-box-terminals
- HMM move to The Alliance cuts 2M trans-Pacific coverage
Hyundai Merchant Marine is set to join as full member The Alliance from April 1, 2020 and The Alliance partnership would be renewed until 2030, subject to regulatory approval.
HMM’s membership of The Alliance will coincide with the first deliveries of its 20-strong newbuilding program, which includes a dozen 23,000 teu containerships and eight 15,000 teu vessels. According to Seaintelligence Consulting, HMM’s departure from the 2M Alliance will reduce the alliance’s trans-Pacific services to 11 while potentially adding three The Alliance. After April 1, 2020 both The Alliance and Ocean Alliance will have 19 Asia-US services. Maersk told that alternative solutions will be found to ensure 2M continue to maintain and develop its offering to customers. Read more:
https://www.joc.com/hmm-move-alliance-cuts-2m-trans-pacific-coverage_20190701.html
- PSA explores 5G port connectivity with Singtel and M1
PSA is set to be a beneficiary of the Singapore state’s push for greater digitalization, and leverage on the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s US$ 29.5 million budget to support 5G research and innovation. IMDA has partnered sector leads, Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore and PSA, to identify problem statements and explore the deployment of 5G technologies for the maritime sector, to support use cases such as drones, autonomous vessels and remote tele-operations of port equipment. As part of this program, in March, IMDA and PSA invited participants to develop use-cases at Pasir Panjang Terminal as a possible 5G test site to explore the technology’s capabilities and how it can potentially address PSA’s connectivity needs to enhance port productivity. IMDA has awarded the 5G Technology Call to Singapore-based telecommunications companies Singtel and M1. Read more:
- Electro-fuels will drive shipping’s decarbonization
Maersk, Norden and CMA CGM are among companies that have piloted biofuel on their ships, generating renewed interest around the potential of these fuels to rapidly decarbonize shipping, while biofuels consumption will likely be limited compared with electro-fuels because they face several sustainability shortcomings. Electro-fuels, such as hydrogen and methane produced from sustainable resources, will drive the change. Vessels on short sea routes could be powered by electrification, based on renewable electricity and battery storage. Read more:
- New NEXT yard aims to boost Long Beach drayage efficiency
NEXT will by the end of the year open a 72,800 m2 yard 16 km from Port of Long Beach that will harness the trucking company’s distinct Relay program that aims to improve cargo flow and cut turn times by dividing delivery and pick-up routes into four legs. Instead of a drayage truck picking up a container and then driving 96 to 128 km to deliver it to the warehouse, the NEXT system allows the trucker to drop the container at the NEXT yard, and return to the port with another box. The container is then picked up at the yard and transported to its destination by an over the road driver, said NEXT CEO Lidia Yan. Relay program gives shippers greater transparency in container movement and enables drivers to cut idle time. Shippers can book drayage through the company’s online marketplace, which helps smooth process and increase transparency in tracking the container, NEXT said.
The system is the latest effort on the West Coast to increase cargo flow by building new yards as volumes increase putting stress on port resources. Ports have sought to repurpose properties that may not be suitable for marine terminals for ancillary functions, such as container dray-offs and peel-offs, chassis yards, or logistics operations in the immediate harbor area.
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