COSCO SHIPPING Launches Blockchain-based Paperless Import Cargo Delivery at China’s Inland Ports

March 15, 2021 - On March 15, 2021, the digitalized contactless imports pickup solution based on blockchain technology, which was jointly developed by COSCO SHIPPING and Anhui Provincial Port & Shipping Group, was officially launched at Wuhu Port, Anhui Province. After coastal ports including Shanghai, Xiamen, Qingdao, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Wuhu Port has become the first inland port in China to realize blockchain-based paperless import cargo delivery.

It is a key initiative of COSCO SHIPPING to actively respond to the integration of Yangtze River Delta, to strengthen the strategic cooperation with Anhui Province, to implement the relevant requirements of the Ministry of Transport on the “clearway program” of port and shipping for imported e-commerce cargo, and to further promote the digitalization of shipping.

Taking this opportunity, Wuhu Port succeeded in joining the port and shipping blockchain platform via the blockchain of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), and completed the data connection with COSCO SHIPPING.

According to the solution, COSCO SHIPPING will implement the blockchain D/O (bill of lading) mode. With the technical characteristics of blockchain, i.e. traceability and reliability, it has realized data connection between different systems and process collaboration and mutual trust between shipping companies and ports, so that the whole operational process is visible, time controllable and risk preventable.

In the past, customers had to go back and forth several times to complete the import business process of shipping companies, ports, and other related entities. But now they can go through all the import D/O claim procedures online through just one click. This has greatly saved the time and cost of waiting in line and traveling back and forth.

COSCO SHIPPING has taken the lead to realize paperless import cargo delivery at Wuhu Port, which can ensure zero delay of import business for customers and greatly accelerate the emptying of heavy import containers. It can not only help attract cross-border e-commerce import customers with high requirements for timeliness to choose Wuhu Port, but also alleviate the shortage of container resources for foreign trade exports in Anhui Province.

SOURCE: COSCO SHIPPING

Maritime Industry Leaders to Explore Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore

March 10, 2021 (Press Release) - A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S, Fleet Management Limited, Keppel Offshore & Marine, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Sumitomo Corporation and Yara International ASA are pleased to announce that the parties have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly conduct a feasibility study (hereinafter “Study”) with the aim to be one of the pioneers in establishing a comprehensive and competitive supply chain for the provision of green ammonia1 ship-to-ship bunkering at the Port of Singapore, the largest bunkering port in the world.

Emitting zero CO₂ when combusted, ammonia has long been considered as one of the most promising alternative marine fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the shipping industry, which is in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy to reduce CO₂ emission by 2050. In particular, green ammonia possesses great potential as it is produced from only renewable electricity, water and air with no CO₂ emission.

The Study aims to cover the entire end-to-end supply chain of ammonia bunkering, which includes the development of a cost-effective green¹ ammonia supply chain, design of ammonia bunkering vessels, as well as related supply chain infrastructure. Relevant government agencies and experts in Singapore will be engaged in working towards the standardization of safe operation and regulations.

The study will assess the supply of ammonia including potential synergies with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a starting point. Considering the comparable requirements for mild refrigerated storage, vessels or barges initially designed for LPG can also handle brown³, blue² and green¹ ammonia.

Mr Morten Bo Christiansen, VP and Head of Decarbonisation, A.P. Moller - Maersk, said “Alongside Methanol, at A. P. Moller - Maersk we see green ammonia as an important future fuel for the decarbonisation of our fleet. A dual fuel Ammonia engine is currently under development, but for green ammonia to fuel our vessels in the future we also have supply, infrastructure and safety related challenges to solve, not least when it comes to bunkering operations. We are pleased to work with renowned companies in this field to pave the way for Ammonia as a future fuel to decarbonise global shipping.”

Notes:

¹Green ammonia: Carbon-free ammonia synthesized from nitrogen and carbon-free hydrogen produced from renewable energy.

²Blue ammonia: Carbon-neutral ammonia produced from natural gas, with the CO2 produced from the processes captured and prevented from entering the atmosphere.

³Brown ammonia: Conventional ammonia produced from natural gas.

⁴Ammonia-ready LPG bunkering vessel: LPG bunkering vessel, which can be modified and converted into ammonia bunkering vessel in the future.

SOURCE: A.P. Moller - Maersk

GTI Preparing to Launch First-of-a-Kind Pilot with Fuel Cell Yard Trucks

March 2, 2021 - GTI announced that performance verification is nearing completion on new zero-emissions fuel cell-electric terminal tractors, and a first-of a kind pilot project is preparing to launch.

For 16 months, GTI and partners have been designing and assembling the tractors in a project called Zero Emissions for California Ports (ZECAP) that will assess vehicle operation in a demanding, real-world cargo-handling application. The hydrogen fueling equipment is in final assembly and slated for installation this spring, along with the delivery of trucks.

A terminal tractor, also called a yard truck, is a heavy-duty tractor designed to quickly couple and uncouple with trailers to move them within a cargo yard. More than 1,800 yard trucks operate at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which is more than half of all cargo-handling equipment (CHE) at these ports.

Yard trucks are the single largest source of CHE emissions but are more difficult to convert to zero-emission fuel cells or batteries because of their variable duty cycles and fundamental requirements for power, versatility, and durability.

In the ZECAP program, project partner TraPac will operate two fuel cell electric yard trucks for 12 months. The trucks are Capacity of Texas Trailer Jockey Series TJ9000 gliders configured with BAE Systems electric drive powertrain capable of peak propulsion power of 200kW (270 hp) and Ballard Power Systems FCveloCity®-HD85 85kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The Capacity truck can store 9.1kg of hydrogen at 350 bar and will fill at an onsite Hydrogen Technology & Energy Corporation (HTEC) hydrogen fueling station with 182kg storage capacity.

Other project partners are Frontier Energy and ZEN Clean Energy Solutions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) funded the project through a grant.

“We designed the project to maximize the time the trucks will be in service,” said Bart Sowa, GTI’s project manager. “TraPac is a 24-hour operation. The fuel cell yard trucks are expected to operate for two shifts and refill in minutes, with minimum disruption to TraPac’s operation. We’ll collect and analyze real-time operating data to evaluate safety, reliability, efficiency, and ability to meet operational requirements.”

This project is a step toward achieving the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles goal of using 100% zero emission cargo handling equipment by 2030.

The $11M project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

GTI is a leading independent non-profit research, development, and training organization addressing global energy and environmental challenges.

SOURCE: GTI

PSA and CDAS Partner to Launch SmartBooking Platform for Terminals, Haulers and Logistics Facilities across Singapore

Feb. 24, 2021 - In a concerted effort to drive supply chain orchestration and digitalisation, PSA Corporation Ltd (PSA) and the Container Depot and Logistics Association (Singapore) (CDAS) have launched ‘SmartBooking’ — an integrated one-stop booking platform for container depots, terminals, haulers and logistics facilities across Singapore.

Supported by Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO), this initiative will play a major role in Singapore’s logistics ecosystem digitalisation roadmap, and is part of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy to facilitate data exchange and enable the deployment of AI solutions.

Developed by PSA, SmartBooking is an online service platform which supports digitalization efforts by seamlessly connecting stakeholders across the supply chain and logistics value chain in Singapore. Through the single end-to-end platform, users gain higher visibility of the entire logistics flow, obtaining easy access to information such as vessel schedules, container movement events and planned activities. SmartBooking allows processes to be further streamlined, with the optimization of assets and resources, leading to a more efficient logistics ecosystem and an overall reduction in carbon footprint.

PSA, with advisory input from CDAS, has also introduced ‘iBOX’ (Intelligent Box Operation eXchange), a next-generation depot management solution that digitally connects the port with container depots across Singapore. iBOX is further integrated with SmartBooking for seamless data exchange, enabling better truck visibility for enhanced efficiency between logistics facilities and container depots, two major nodes in container transportation.

SmartBooking will enable users to arrange shipment efficiently, pool jobs, better plan their trips and track resource availability with ease, all on one easy-to-use platform.

Ms Seow Hwee, Head of Cargo Solutions Southeast Asia, PSA International, said, “By bringing players across the supply chain and logistics value chain onto a single platform, PSA, together with our valued partners, are championing to establish an Intelligent Logistics Ecosystem, connecting key nodes comprising our port, depots, warehouses and plants. This is important for driving interoperability between systems, and the robust exchange of supply chain-related information will transform our logistics community into a well-connected and resilient hub, further strengthening Singapore’s position as a leading logistics and supply chain management hub.”

Mr Ricky Loo, Deputy President of CDAS, said, “Our local container depot operators and transport operators look forward to embracing new and innovative solutions like SmartBooking and iBOX, which will not only improve our efficiency and the competitiveness of Singapore’s logistics and supply chain industry, but also elevate the skillsets of our workforce.”

SOURCE: PSA Corporation Ltd & CDAS