Port of Gothenburg to Roll-out Customized Digital Platform in Second Half of 2021

Oct. 12, 2020 - With the aid of AI and digital linking, the Port of Gothenburg will become quicker, more cost-effective, and climate smart. A customised digital platform is due to be rolled out during the second half of 2021. It will enhance freight flow transparency and have a direct impact on productivity, lead times, and delivery capacity throughout the entire transport chain.

“It will be something of a Port of Gothenburg 2.0 that will benefit everyone linked to the port. Having said that, what is truly revolutionary is not the just the technical transformation but what will emerge in its wake,” said Malin Collin, deputy CEO at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

The greatest challenge will be to bring together the hundreds of organisations that cooperate and compete for transport at the Port of Gothenburg. Shipping companies, terminal operators, rail operators, forwarding companies, freight owners, and inland terminals each represent an individual thread, and together they will intertwine to form a complex freight transport network.

At present, all those involved use separate IT systems that measure and handle individual elements in the transport chain based on fragmented information. Interaction between them often means dipping into the system manually.

Unravelling the threads

The Gothenburg Port Authority is the network coordinator, which entails unravelling, digitalising, and reconnecting the threads. The plan is for all the fragments of information to be collated and processed using the very smartest technology in an effort to visualise and optimise the numerous processes at the Port of Gothenburg.

“Determining how this unravelled system works is not just a matter of randomly pulling the individual threads. We need to adopt a cohesive approach, working with all the parties concerned, and we are currently building a platform that will help us realise our objectives. What will emerge is a new digital services ‘ecosystem’ for the Port of Gothenburg in its role as a freight hub,” said Joseph Sandwing, Head of Digital Business Transformation at the Gothenburg Port Authority.

With these services, more rapid, high-quality information will facilitate flexible planning and collaboration between the different operators at the port. Data that is made available to us will allow shipping companies and ports to be integrated, with significant environmental gains as a result – through just-in-time arrival for example. Freight owners, rail operators, and terminal operators will be able to track their goods in real time. The response among those are affected has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have already identified the considerable potential that will be generated.

Platform complete in 2021

This week the procurement process was finalised with the provider Wabtech, which will be responsible for the technical solution. In the next phase, the Gothenburg Port Authority and Wabtech will lay out a joint project plan, bringing discussions with the various companies at the port to the next level and moving forward during the second half of 2021. What will materialise from this is a platform that can be built on and with at least one application based on three separate data sources.

“We have a vision of being the world’s most competitive port and if we are to deliver on that vision we need to develop our ideas and expertise in partnership. Everyone sitting down and being smart in their own compartmentalised world is no longer sufficient. Instead we need to link up and share what we have in a novel way if are to make the pioneering advances that we have envisaged. There is strong support for this transition throughout the whole of the freight hub, and everyone is looking to develop a smart, sustainable port. We are now getting down to the task of bringing our plans and ambitions to fruition,” Collin concluded.

SOURCE: Port of Gothenburg

London’s Port of Tilbury Launches New ‘UK Paper Hub’ for Paper and Forest Products

Sept. 15, 2020 - London’s Port of Tilbury today launched its new all-in-one paper and forest product handling Hub, the UK Paper Hub — the first facility in the UK created to actively reduce all forms of waste in the supply chain.

UK Paper Hub is the collective brand covering Tilbury’s handling, storage and distribution services for paper and related forest products (including graphical papers and newsprint, packaging paper and board, tissue and hygiene products, and pulp). The brand brings together the expertise and facilities of the paper handling terminals, previously known as Enterprise Distribution Centre (EDC) and London Paper Terminal (LPT), which the port owns and operates.

Tilbury has invested significantly in purpose-built facilities. Innovations such as unique paper handling equipment, automated warehouse and transparent IT systems all support the industry leading product care levels. The port has ordered six new side shifting Terberg tugs and six Novatech translifters, in partnership with supplier Briggs Equipment which will all be in place by the end of the year. The new style of translifters were specifically chosen to enhance operational flexibility and efficiency for UK Paper Hub.

The UK Paper Hub can handle paper and forest products in any form, any quantity using any method of shipping or distribution, both short sea and deep sea. The Hub has access to a nationwide haulage network and connects the UK’s domestic industries with markets across the globe. Tilbury’s newest port, Tilbury2, opened in May and along with London Container Terminal, offers the Hub further connections and capacity for customers.

Commenting on the launch, Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director said, “This is exciting news for Tilbury as we introduce the UK Paper Hub to the paper and forest products market. At Tilbury, we are proud of our approach which is always built around our customer’s needs and we work collaboratively to ensure that we deliver dependable solutions.

“We believe this is the right time to reposition our paper service offering to reflect the changes in the sector and our preparedness as the UK prepares to leave the customs union. We have invested in the rebranding of our paper services to showcase the port’s world-class paper offering as a whole.

“Through continuous investment in facilities and equipment at the Hub we are actively making a progressive contribution to the environment and bioeconomy by reducing all forms of waste within the paper and forest products supply chain,” Dale concluded.

Tilbury handles a vast range of commodities, and over the summer the port added tissue to their wide portfolio of commodities. To deliver this, the Hub has further invested in new handling equipment.

Some of the key facilities at the Hub include:

• Handling expertise of packaging papers and boards, graphical papers, tissue and hygiene products, pulp, other specialty paper and board products
• Capability of handling packages (reels, bails, pallets) of all sizes and currently up to 7 tonnes in weight
• We welcome all shipping methods: Lo-Lo, Sto-Ro, Ro-Ro, side port, containerised (including SECU - Stora Enso Container Units), trailer (IBR)
• Dedicated Lo-Lo and Ro-Ro berths with direct access to purpose-built facilities (manual and automated warehousing) and extensive undercover canopy space
• Diverse portfolio of bespoke paper handling plant and equipment, including custom designed intelligent clamp systems
• Advanced IT systems including transparent warehouse management systems; capability to support and integrate with all data exchange platforms; access to a custom built haulier portal and delivery alert system
• Onsite trailer parking bays equipped to handle preloading operations and undercover loading, securing, and strapping areas
• AEO approved, ISPS secured sites, CCTV coverage and protected by The Port of Tilbury Police on site
• Access to value added services including customs clearance; onsite refurbishment; and haulage

For more information on the UK Paper Hub go to: www.ukpaperhub.forthports.co.uk

SOURCE: UK Paper Hub (Port of Tilbury, London)

Port of Antwerp Utilizing Unique New Log Handling Concept

Sept. 4, 2020 - PSA Antwerp and PSA Breakbulk are launching a new and ambitious ‘log handling concept’ together. At the Churchill Terminal at quay 410, PSA has fitted out a custom location for the large-scale handling of logs.

What's new? At a single location, they can load logs into containers and ship them as breakbulk cargo. The site has been specially fitted out for large shipments. This is unique at the port of Antwerp and will save a great deal of time.

In July, PSA received a shipment of 33,000m3 of spruce wood. The wood was taken by barge to Antwerp and was brought aboard at quay 410 for shipment to the Far East. Antwerp companies like Descroes fumigated the wood to ensure it would depart for the Far East free of insects. This is no easy task, and is a service that demands the necessary knowledge and expertise.

ABOUT PORT OF ANTWERP

DP World and CDPQ Expand Global Investment Platform to US$8.2 Billion

Sept. 3, 2020 (Press Release) - DP World, a global infrastructure-led supply chain solutions provider, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), a global institutional investor, announce the expansion of their ports and terminals investment platform through a new commitment of US$4.5 billion (CA$6 billion), which increases the total size of the platform to US$8.2 billion (CA$ 10.6 billion). DP World holds 55% share of the platform, and CDPQ the remaining 45%.

Since its launch in December 2016, the platform has invested in 10 port terminals globally and across various stages of the asset life cycle. The enhanced platform will continue to target assets globally, but with an increased scope to broaden its footprint in new and existing geographies, such as Europe and Asia Pacific. The investment platform will pursue its deployment and diversification objectives by expanding across a wider part of the integrated marine supply chain, such as logistics services linked to terminals.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, said: “The partnership between DP World and CDPQ has been very successful, and we have benefited from each other’s expertise. The opportunity landscape for the port and logistics industry is significant and the outlook remains positive as consumer demand triggers major shifts across the global supply chain. Best-in-class well connected ports and efficient supply chains will continue to play an active role in advancing global trade and cultivating the business environments closest to their operations. Alongside CDPQ, a steadfast partner whose long-term vision we share, we look forward to working together on new investments that will connect key international trade locations worldwide.”

Emmanuel Jaclot, Executive Vice-President and Head of Infrastructure at CDPQ, said: “Building on the success of the first collaboration with our strategic partner, DP World, a world-class leader in ports and marine terminals, the enhanced platform will seek investments in high-quality port and terminal infrastructure assets that will help design the future of smart trade and logistics. As we take the next step in our partnership, we will further diversify our geographic reach and look to seize new opportunities in a sector that, even during a uniquely challenging period, is driven by long-term fundamental trends.”

Despite the impacts of COVID-19 and shifts in the global supply chain landscape, the ports sector has demonstrated a fair degree of resilience. Through recent strategic investments in automation and digital technology, DP World has strengthened its logistics capabilities, combined with their maritime services operations and worldwide network of ports and terminals, to provide a full suite of end-to-end smart supply chain solutions. As such, DP World is well positioned to face the current challenges experienced by the industry and to continue to provide innovative solutions to their customers worldwide.

SOURCE: DP World