German port policy must do justice to the national and European importance of German seaports, demands BLG CEO Frank Dreeke ahead of the 13th National Maritime Conference (NMC), which is taking place this week in Bremen.
As a seaport and logistics service provider with an international network and headquarter in Bremen, BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & CO KG is sponsoring the evening event of the NMC.
"We are very pleased that politics and business are meeting on the Weser this year. The ports of Bremen are central hubs of the maritime industry in Germany and the NMC is the German government's central event to support the maritime economy and is also the largest meeting of the industry," explains Dreeke, Chairman of the Board of Management of BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & CO KG (BLG). The Neustädter Hafen in Bremen, operated by BLG, is Europe's largest breakbulk terminal for conventional cargo. The BLG AutoTerminal Bremerhaven is one of the largest auto-mobile hubs in the world. The EUROGATE Group, in which BLG LOGISTICS holds a 50 percent stake, is Europe's leading shipping company-independent container terminal group. This makes BLG to one of the most important players in the maritime industry in Germany and Europe.
"We very much regret that the National Ports Strategy is not available for the National Maritime Conference in Bremen. We hope that the strategy will be in place by the end of the year," said Dreeke. In his opinion, the federal government must become more involved, particularly in financing and investments: "Currently, the federal government supports the German seaports with 38 million euros annually. That is not nearly enough." Germany is lagging behind the shipping companies in terms of port infrastructure and backland connections. This is one of the reasons why ports in the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland are gaining market share, according to Frank Dreeke, who is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Central Association of German Seaports. In his view, however, it is crucial to implement the plans quickly. Dreeke expects concrete commitments from the Chancellor and the Minister of Economics at the NMC. "We need at least 400 million euros per year to ensure that the German seaports remain competitive," demands the CEO of BLG.
The thirteenth National Maritime Conference is being held under the slogan "Strengthen the location. Protect the climate. Shaping the Future." "We can shape the future. We know very well where there is a need for action. We in Bremen would not have been playing at the top of the global logistics league for years if our seaports were poorly connected, but in view of climate targets and the growing movement of goods, we need a faster and more determined expansion of backland connections, especially the rail network," says Dreeke, pointing out that seaports play a central role in the energy turnaround as transshipment points for green energy. The National Ports Strategy must therefore also be a strategic commitment by the federal government and all the states to develop the ports together.
A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) and Equinor have signed an agreement securing supply of green methanol for Maersk’s landmark, new methanol-enabled feeder vessel during its initial months of operation from September 2023 and into the first half of 2024.
The agreement ensures green methanol supply for the ship from its entry into operation on a loop from Northern Europe into the Baltic Sea after the name giving ceremony later this month in Copenhagen. The green methanol will be bunkered in Rotterdam.
"Equinor is pleased to be partnering up with Maersk in delivering greener fuels to the marine industry. Equinor is an established player in the European methanol market through its production plant at Tjeldbergodden and we have ambitions to be a key provider of green methanol in the marine fuel segment." Alex Grant, Senior Vice President for the liquid commodity segment at Equinor.
The biomethanol is produced from biogas from manure. The biogas is upgraded to biomethane and injected into the existing gas grid and the methanol is produced from the biomethane in the grid on a mass-balance basis. The existing European biogas certificate system is used to trace the attributes of the biomethane to the biomethanol and safeguard against double-claims. This way, green methanol can be produced in existing facilities using existing infrastructure and plants enabling a quick route to market. The method can contribute to a greener gas grid while capturing harmful methane emissions that would arise from the manure feedstock if left untouched. The biomethanol is ISCC EU certified in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
"We are very pleased to partner with Equinor, as it’s entering this business area. It is critical to get energy majors to the table and start supplying future fuels at scale. This is the form of engagement we need to continue accelerating the pioneering journey towards a green fuel economy for global shipping. With more than 100 methanol enabled vessels on order across the industry, the demand for green fuel production is rising and will continue to do so in the years to come." Rabab Boulos, Chief Infrastructure Officer at A.P. Moller - Maersk.
Maersk defines ’green fuels’ as fuels with low to very low GHG emissions over their life cycle compared to fossil fuels. Different green fuels achieve different life cycle reductions depending on their production pathway. By 'low' we refer to fuels with 65-80% life cycle GHG reductions compared to fossil fuels. ‘Very low’ refers to fuels with 80-95% life cycle GHG reductions compared to fossil fuels.
Long term, the feeder vessel will be fueled by e-methanol from a plant in Southern Denmark, operated by European Energy, which is expected to come on-stream in the first half of 2024.
Maersk has an ambitious 2040 target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions and aims to transport a minimum of 25% of Ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030. The 2,100 TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent) feeder vessel is an important step toward the long-term objective of gradually renewing the entire Maersk fleet to operate solely on green fuels. Maersk has 24 additional methanol vessels on order for delivery between 2024 and 2027 and has a policy to only order new, owned vessels that comes with a green fuel option.
A delegation from the port of Nagoya, one of Japan’s major ports, has visited the port of Bilbao to strengthen commercial ties.
In the course of the visit, the delegation from Nagoya expressed particular interest in the leading role of the port of Bilbao as a hub for wind energy and a benchmark in energy transition, with cutting-edge projects such as the electrification of the docks which will enable vessels to switch off their engines whilst berthed to reduce emissions and noise levels.
The delegation, consisting of 30 people from the logistics, port and industrial sectors, was headed by the Senior Assessor of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nagoya, Mr Jiro Takahashi, and by the Executive Vice-President of the Port Authority of Nagoya, Mr Yuji Kamata. The business mission was hosted by Mr Andima Ormaetxe, Director of Operations, Commerce and Logistics of the Port Authority of Bilbao, who explained and showed them around the services and terminals of the port, highlighting its high share of rail intermodality, its diversification and the strong industrial component that differentiates the port of Bilbao from others.
After their visit, the representatives of the port of Nagoya declared that “the environmental measures taken at the Port of Bilbo are indeed ambitious and impressive. Windmill towers and blades stacked at its yards are overwhelming, which we felt illustrating the Port’s determination towards energy transition. Global warming is something that the world ports need to address in collaboration, and we hope to continue exchange information with the Port of Bilbao in a proactive manner”.
Delegation from the port of NagoyaDelegation from the port of Nagoya
Trade between the Basque Country and Japan, excluding energy products, accounts for 21% of total trade between Spain and Japan. Traffic between the port of Bilbao and Japan rose sharply in 2022 (+75%) due to an increase in imports of steel products. Japan ranks fifth in terms of traffic of conventional breakbulk cargo through the port of Bilbao.
The Japanese business mission to Europe has also included visits to the ports of Antwerp-Bruges, Naples and Barcelona.
After renting Graviti’s innovative automated dry bulk containers for 2 years and being fully satisfied with the results, the Rigal Central Terminal (in the Freeport of Riga) has decided to purchase six ‘SDC 40’ units from Latvian bulk handling equipment specialist Graviti, even upgrading from ‘SDC30’ types to the bigger ones.
The terminal has an option to acquire six more in the future. The containers have already been delivered and are operational. Having noticed the practical implications and cost-efficiency of the system, several other ports in North-Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle-East have expressed their interest too.
In 2022, more than 150 ships were loaded with GRAVITI containers, handling about 1.5 million tonnes of cargo. There have not been any claims, breakdowns or returns, proving the reliability and effectiveness of this containersized shiploading system, according to Graviti. To date, about 60 SDCs have been sold worldwide.
Dinis Hruscovs, Managing Director of Graviti and responsible for developing the SDC, says: “We are very proud of this contract with the Freeport of Riga. It shows that we are now truly past the initial stages in which potential clients were interested, but were not yet ready to invest in such an innovation. It has had to prove itself thoroughly in practice and that has turned the table. The fact that our system reduces CO2 emissions in cargo loading logistics also plays a part: the self-discharging containers can handle more bulk faster than traditional grabs, so less movements are needed. Combine that with lower operational cost and a relatively low pricing due to the simplicity of the design and you can see why we are currently speaking with clients in other regions too.”
In 2020 Graviti, developed a technology to reduce the costs of loading bulk cargo and speed up the logistics processes at terminals. That resulted in two completely new types of selfdischarging containers, the SDC30, able to handle 600 tonnes of bulk per hour and the SDC 40, with a 900 t/h loading speed, operating with just one crane. After the first types were tested and deployed by, for example, Batumi Port (Georgia) and Riga Universal Port (Latvia), this method became increasingly popular, esp. in eastern European ports.
The containers operate on electrical power and every container comes with its own battery. The floor can be remotely operated to hydraulically open and close. With a fully charged battery, 500 cycles of loading/offloading are guaranteed, although in practice clients report even higher numbers. Because they are self-unloading, they can secure direct loading of dry cargo from warehouses to the ship’s hold.
The SDCs in Riga will be able to unload its 27 m³ cargoes in 30 seconds, which is 1.5 times more productive than regular methods of loading. This method also saves up to 35% of the cost of loading, making it a cost-effective solution.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) today announced the ratification of a six-year contract between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass: The International Longshore and Warehouse Union membership's approval of the tentative agreement is a major win for the people of Los Angeles. This agreement will make sure the Port of L.A. continues to operate and provide good paying jobs. The positive impacts of the approved contract will be felt across the region, the West Coast and our nation. Thank you to all the parties who worked together to achieve a contract agreement that puts people first while safeguarding our economy. The Port of L.A. will continue to be a leader in our economy, on innovative climate sustainability efforts and an important job creator in the region.”
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker: “Union strength comes from dedication, numbers, and strong leadership; I’m so glad that the members of ILWU voted to ratify their contract today. This contract respects the hard-work and skill of our dockworkers, and their importance to our San Pedro Bay complex. A ratified, coastwide agreement is good for our workers, the Port of Los Angeles, and our country’s economy.”
Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard: “I salute the ILWU and PMA for reaching final agreement on this contract. Our longshore workers did heroic work throughout the pandemic and are critical to the success of our Port. Now it’s time for all stakeholders to come together as we work to grow jobs and cargo while creating a cleaner and more sustainable port.”
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka: “Thank you to the 22,000 International Longshore and Warehouse Union members who overwhelmingly ratified a six-year contract. With the leadership of ILWU President Willie Adams and PMA President & CEO Jim McKenna, the collective bargaining system worked. This contract brings long-term stability and confidence to our customers as we re-double our efforts to bring more cargo back to the Port of Los Angeles, the premier gateway to and from the Pacific Rim.”
The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is building upon its cooperation with Pledge, a carbon emissions measurement and offsetting platform for freight forwarders, by allowing visitors to the trade association’s website direct access to Pledge’s Freight Emissions Calculator.
BIFA announced its cooperation with Pledge in January this year and this has seen the latter provide BIFA with some important resources that will support members in their journey to more environmentally sustainable operations.
Members can try Pledge's Freight Emissions Calculator via the BIFA website for a capped number of uses, or sign up to a 14-day free trial of the full platform to explore how it can help meet emissions regulations, set emissions targets, and determine reduction strategies.
To get started, users enter the origin, destination, shipment weight, and mode of transport of a shipment, which then generates a Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) accredited and ISO:14083-aligned emissions calculation.
Steve Parker, BIFA’s Director General said: “I am very pleased that Pledge has made this calculator available via the BIFA website for our members to use.
“The need to understand and address the environmental impact of global supply chains grows by the day.
“Our members face pressure from various bodies, and increasingly their own customers, to demonstrate how they are able to calculate the freight emissions associated with a shipment. This is an important tool for BIFA members to help their clients meet their reporting obligations.
“Our cooperation with Pledge and this latest initiative is designed to help BIFA members, small and large, to demonstrate the actions they are taking to obtain thorough visibility of their carbon footprint and that of the shipments they handle, as well as the actions that they can take in order to reduce both.”
This thorough visibility is afforded by Pledge’s unique Clarity™ feature, part of its Freight Emissions Calculator, which breaks down the methodology used to calculate carbon emissions, while also highlighting any assumptions that were made, to provide end-to-end transparency throughout the supply chain.
David de Picciotto, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pledge said: “Through our collaboration with BIFA, Pledge is proud to empower the freight and logistics industry with tools that drive sustainability.
“By embedding our Freight Emissions Calculator on its website, BIFA is again showing its commitment to giving members the tools to begin their journey towards decarbonisation.
“Together, we're not just calculating emissions: we're helping catalyse a new era of sustainability in transport and logistics.”
Speaking about today’s (29 August 2023) announcement of the new Border Target Operating Model, Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade and Devolved Policy at business group Logistics UK said.
"Will three months be sufficient time for government to provide the necessary technical detail and guidance that businesses will need to change processes and adapt to the changes outlined by the new trading arrangements? Logistics UK is studying this final model carefully to see if it addresses the concerns expressed by our members and contains the level of operational detail and assurances they, and their EU suppliers, need to make the changes required in that time frame. With so much to adapt to, and such a short time frame available, it is imperative that logistics businesses are given all the detail they need in the initial plan.
“Government needs to provide certainty for business on all the details of the new Border Operating Model, and a workable timeline which will allow sufficient planning and implementation time for those responsible for the UK's supply chain. After so much time, and so many delays, logistics businesses are losing confidence in the government's ability to provide workable solutions to enable the new trading arrangements to be implemented. Our members need all the detail for how border arrangements are to work, and time to implement the changes - if not, the lack of certainty puts the UK's supply chain at risk."
Continuing a 15-year collaboration, JLR has renewed its freight services contract with DHL Supply Chain UK for a further three years.
The contract has been renewed with a major sustainability commitment from DHL to convert their entire UK core fleet in the JLR operation to alternative fuels by April 2024. This switch to alternative fuels is also taking place in JLR’s own UK fleet. Combined, these initiatives will reduce carbon emissions by 84%, saving over 8,000 tonnes of CO2e per year.
The transition to alternative fuels in the supply chain reflects both companies’ environmental goals. As part of the company’s Reimagine strategy, JLR aims to reduce its CO2e emissions by 46% across SBTi scope 1 and 2, and by 54% across its SBTi scope 3 by 2030, leading JLR to achieve carbon net zero by 2039.
DHL will begin by replacing 30 diesel trucks with bio-CNG Scania 4x2 vehicles. The brand new bio-CNG trucks deliver a minimum 85% reduction in carbon emissions compared to diesel and will be put into operation at the company’s two main sites, Solihull and Halewood with refuelling facilities at Erdington and Warrington. In addition, DHL will deploy a 40 tonne zero emission electric truck as part of the fleet.
DHL will also begin introducing 15.6 metre trailers to its JLR operation, driving down road miles by reducing the number of trips needed to carry the same load when compared with standard 13.6metre trailers.
Levent Yuksel, Freight Operations Director, JLR, says, “Significantly reducing Scope 3 emissions is essential to our Reimagine strategy so we’re pleased to be making progress with the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Working with suppliers like DHL, who share our values and environmental commitments, is critical to the success of our long-term freight decarbonisation strategy.”
Mike Bristow, Managing Director, Manufacturing Logistics, DHL Supply Chain, says, “We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with JLR. Together we’ve designed an industry leading roadmap to transition away from diesel to deliver major carbon savings while at the same time meeting cost efficiency targets, proving that environmental and financial ambitions can be achieved in tandem.”
The conference at AntwerpXL, the world’s only event dedicated exclusively to breakbulk, project cargo and heavy lift, and is fast becoming a must-attend for industry professionals.
Returning to Belgium this November, AntwerpXL’s conference will cover the most pressing global themes with talks from the industry’s leading lights.
Day one features sessions including: Project Cargo – Managing the offshore renewable boom; Ports – Being a one-stop-shop for breakbulk; Sustainability – Decarbonising heavy lift; Current Market – How geopolitics is impacting the supply chain.
On the panel discussing the management of offshore renewables will be Neil Golding, Head of Market Intelligence at Energy Industries Council, alongside Thomas Mehl, Board Member at Claviate. Meanwhile Linda Jacques, Partner, and Lawyer at LA Marine, is set to offer deep insight on the panel examining state of the Current Market.
Day two features sessions including: Digitalisation & AI – How will AI impact the supply chain; Recruitment – Making breakbulk an attractive career for new generations; Sustainability – How stakeholders collaborate for supply chain sustainability.
Co-founder and COO of Voyager Portal, Bret Smart is a confirmed panellist on the session for Digitalisation and AI. The Recruitment panel includes input from previous AntwerpXL 40 Under 40 Winner and Managing Director at Trans Coral Shipping, Mahesh Singh. Panel members for Sustainability include Inge Taillieu, BDM at DP World, and Jessica Slater, Solicitor at LA Marine.
Margaret Dunn, Portfolio Director at AntwerpXL, says, “The Collins English Dictionary chose ‘permacrisis’ as the most recent Word of the Year. Every breakbulk professional can relate; the external pressure on industries like ours is immense.
“But necessity is the mother of innovation, both in terms of technology, but also in thinking. The AntwerpXL conference offers insight and new ideas, bringing everyone together to enhance our collective knowledge so we can tackle the challenges of the present and future. It will be utterly unmissable!”
AntwerpXL returns to the Antwerp Expo, Belgium, from 28 - 30 November.
Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation has extended its ground services to include passenger handling at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, the largest city and capital of Kenya.
The recently renewed seven-year ground handling license, issued by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), now includes a full suite of ground services at NBO which include ramp, passenger and baggage services, including VIP charter flights handling until the end of 2030. This marks a service expansion for Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation in Kenya, where it had previously managed cargo and ground handling for freighter flights.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Kenya’s largest aviation facility, and the busiest airport in East Africa. To match anticipated demand, Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation will embark on a local recruitment drive in Kenya, and will ensure all employees are trained to the highest standards to deliver the safest and most secure services to customers.
Charles Wyley, Executive Vice President Middle East, Africa and Asia, Menzies Aviation, said: “We are excited to enter a new phase in our operations in Kenya. The move to offer ground services represents a significant milestone for our team as it strengthens our capabilities in the region. This expansion also marks a significant development for the local community as it will generate new career opportunities, as well as providing training.
“We look forward to supporting new and existing airline customers at NBO, leveraging our extensive experience and expertise to contribute to Africa’s growing aviation ecosystem.”
Meshack Kipturgo, Chairman, Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation adds, “Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation continues to flourish as we had envisioned when we partnered two years ago. This milestone is set to be the first of many with our focus being on growing our people, service delivery excellence and making a positive mark in Kenya’s air cargo and aviation sector.”
Menzies is the largest aviation services company on the African continent, with operations at 40 airports in 19 countries. Through a strategic partnership with Siginon Aviation Ltd, Menzies Aviation ventured into the Kenyan market in 2021, where it offers cargo handling services at NBO and Eldoret International Airport (EDL).
Kuehne+Nagel has secured a contract from the leading global wind turbine supplier Envision Energy to transport 190 wind turbine generators (WTG) and 67 tower sets to Saudi Arabia’s new special economic zone, NEOM.
Expected to be completed in 2025, this major project involves the specialised transport of 1.4 million freight tons of WTG. A team of over 100 project logistics professionals, vessel chartering experts, transport engineers, drivers and riggers, will work together to ensure the success of the operation. A dedicated office has been established in the city of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, to coordinate teams at NEOM’s port and the wind farm site.
NEOM is a special economic zone in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. NEOM means ‘new future’ and is intended to become a model for sustainable urban living powered entirely by renewable energy. One of the best-known NEOM projects is “The Line”, the carbon-neutral linear smart city currently under construction on the Red Sea.
When completed, the NEOM wind farm will generate 1.67 GW of renewable energy to power the plant of the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, the world's largest facility for producing hydrogen on a large scale.
Stefan Paul, CEO of Kuehne+Nagel International AG, said: “This is a major milestone in Kuehne+Nagel’s Roadmap 2026, our new strategy that we presented in March this year. We see great potential in providing solutions for renewable energy customers and the NEOM project is a testament to our logistics expertise in this high-growth field that supports the global energy transition.”
Globally, Kuehne+Nagel has successfully provided project logistics solutions to a wide range of original equipment manufacturers, encompassing specialised project management and tailor-made supply chain services. Kuehne+Nagel’s expertise extends to origin and destination/site services, innovative freight solutions, maintenance, repair and operations, distribution and warehousing services.
