Cen News

The European Union (EU)-funded 'Safe maritime operations under extreme conditions: the Arctic case' (SEDNA) project is developing ways to improve the design, operation, navigation and anti-icing features of ships traversing the harsh Arctic region.SEDNA's innovations could help protect lives, safeguard the region's unique natural environment, and open more competitive routes for Europe's shippers, said a communication from EUROPA research information center.As the ice in the Arctic region retreats due to global warming, new maritime routes are opening up to shipping traffic. However the Arctic's extremely harsh conditions and the severe safety challenges for navigation teams increase the risk of accidents…

The Ocean Alliance has launched its new Day Two Product with an estimated 3.6 million TEU carrying capacity provided by approximately 340 containerships deployed on 41 services. The new offering will commence in April 2018. Alliance partners CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen and OOCL will offer 20 Transpacific services, six Asia-Europe services, four Asia-Mediterranean services, four Transatlantic services, five Asia-Middle East services and two Asia-Red Sea services. “Ocean Alliance has been a fantastic success from a customer perspective since its launch last spring and we are very enthusiastic to announce our Day Two Product,” said Olivier Nivoix, Senior Vice President Ocean Alliance Lines.

A three-year, €6.5 million ($7.7  million) research project has been launched to address safety and efficiency in Arctic ship operations. Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, SEDNA sets out to develop a risk-based approach to Arctic navigation, ship design and maritime operations. Recent years have seen a rapid increase in shipping operations in Arctic regions, as ice cover has reduced due to global warming. While this offers the potential to save significantly on voyage times…

Kalmar has extended its long cooperation with Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Malaysia by providing them with 93 terminal tractors for container handling. The approx. EUR 5 million purchase was booked in Cargotec's 2016 third quarter order intake, with first deliveries taking place in December 2016. PTP is Malaysia's largest container terminal and is currently ranked 18th in the Top Container Ports Ranking 2015. Last year, PTP continued to grow and expand its business in the region in spite of the gloomy global economic landscape by recording a total throughput of 9.17 million TEUs or an increase of 7% total growth as compared to 2014.

Zim Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM) is introducing an additional Asia-Pacific North West Trade route, CEN – (China Express Northwest service) with the following rotation: Xingang – Qingdao – Shanghai – Prince Rupert – Xingang. CEN is the only Pacific North West service in the market to call Xingang directly, offering the fastest transit time in the market on the eastbound leg from Xingang, Qingdao and Shanghai. It also offers smooth gateway via Prince Rupert to US and Canada inland destinations, with efficient rail connectivity using CN rail network. The new service joins ZIM’s network serving the Asia-Pacific North West trade, which includes the Pacific North Express Service 1 (NP1) Pacific North Express Service 3 (NP3). The Service is due to commence on October 25th.

The EU funded EcoHubs R&D project (Environmentally COherent measures and interventions to debottleneck HUBS of the multimodal network favored by seamless flow of goods) has delivered a number of ICT tools which can increase capacity at ports and terminals, and can lead to reductions in carbon footprint. Designed to support “Resource Efficient Europe”, the flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy, EcoHubs has, for the last 30 months, researched and developed the tools required for sustainable freight transport and logistics networks as part of a smart…

Viking River Cruises (www.vikingrivercruises.com) set a world record with the christening of 10 new Viking Longships. “Today is a proud day for Viking and for river cruising. We are honored to showcase 10 of our revolutionary new Longships and to have had such a celebrated group of women helping us christen them,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. Guests at the christening ceremony enjoyed remarks by each godmother and a presentation on the growth of river cruising by Hagen.

While maritime security concerns are most assuredly the number one item topping marine vessel owner's agendas, environmental matters rank a close second. Port state authorities around the globe regularly levy millions of dollars in fines for illegal dumping and accidental spills, and the marine industry is under the microscope of public opinion, as vessel operations are scrutinized like never before. Microscopic is a very good word. With a meeting of equipment makers, classification societies and shipowners in London last month, it was announced that for the first time purchasers of fuel treatment systems for ships have access to a standardized test method…