Real Solutions News

Humanity will forever remember 2020 as the “Year of COVID-19” fraught with the pains of a pandemic and its impacts on our physical and mental health. Yet, as a navigation representative along the Mississippi River Ship Channel (MRSC), I will always be able to see the bright side. In this case, that is life outside of COVID. The Mississippi River Ship Channel Deepening began in 2020, oddly enough on another date tied forever to a tragic time in our history. As a major focus for the Big River Coalition…

On October 10, 2016, during the Dutch national Sustainability Day, on board of the MS Borelli, a barge that has been converted with electric propulsion, the 178 sustainable maritime solutions powered by the Dutch and collected by Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT) have been presented. The solutions were handed over to Salima Belhaj (member of the Dutch Parliament party D66) and Brigit Gijsbers (Ministery of Infrastructure & Environment). With this number of solutions the Dutch maritime technology sector shows it can compete against various social challenges. Meteorologist Margot Ribberink from the Meteo Group (member of the association NMT) showed the consequences of climate change, such as the rise of sea level and hurricanes.

The emergence of mega gateway ports is in danger of failing the global supply chain, causing congestion, adding cost and impacting on air quality and local environments, delegates at South America’s largest multimodal logistics event will be told next week. During a presentation in Sao Paulo on Tuesday 7 April, Patrick Walters, Commercial Director of Peel Ports, the UK’s second largest port operator, will call for a radical rethink by the supply chain to refocus on direct calls to ports closest to cargo centres as an integral part of the global supply chain network design. Speaking before the event, Mr Walters said, “Port selection needs to be based on proximity to market.

A new program that expedites cargo by streamlining container moves is speeding up operations at the Port of Los Angeles. Launched February 25, the "Peel Off" Program has added a new operational model to the Port to clear the current backlog of containers and improve the flow of cargo going forward. "We have found an efficient way to get containers to their destination that is beginning to pay off," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’re acting on our pledge to our customers to harmonize the supply chain and make it work better. The Port teamed with stevedoring company The Pasha Group, harbor trucking firm Total Transportation Services Inc.

CEVA Logistics, a leading global supply chain management company, today announced the opening of its first Center of Logistics Excellence in Europe. Situated in Ashby de la Zouch, United Kingdom, the opening marks CEVA’s third Center following the launch of Centers in Jacksonville and Singapore. The Centers demonstrate ‘real world’ logistics innovation through supply chain optimization and enhanced visibility, integrated services and technology solutions to power supply chain efficiency. The European Center of Logistics Excellence will provide insights into CEVA’s unique offerings and solutions for customers with business in Europe.

Early planning, engagement with competent partners will be the key to timely compliance. The May announcement that W&O Supply had been named as the exclusive distributor of Hyde Marine’s GUARDIAN Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWT) in the U.S. and Canada may seem like routine news. After all, W&O Supply is one of the world’s largest marine suppliers and has many such agreements in place, covering a wide range of equipment. This agreement, however, comes in advance of Ballast Water Treatment deadlines looming large in the porthole. It also lays out the blueprint for owners and operators to move forward on the complicated process of achieving regulatory compliance with both Coast Guard and IMO mandates. Florida-based W&O will begin selling Hyde GUARDIAN BWTS effective immediately.

ITF (Industry Technology Facilitator) welcomes to its ranks Lloyds Register, the world's oldest certification authority. ITF, the technology facilitator for the global oil and gas industry, is a not-for-profit organisation owned by 30 international oil and gas operator and service companies. It says it is the only global collaborative R&D funding programme operating across continents. Founded in 1760, Lloyds Register is the first certification authority to be part of ITF. As an energy and maritime classification society and independent risk management organisation, the company has expertise in a number of industries including oil and gas, nuclear and renewables, and provides an alternative angle of technology challenges for the energy sector.

BMD provide naval architecture services for two commercial vessels. Boksa Marine Design, Inc. (BMD) has provided hull, structural and outfitting design for two recent Workskiff built boats, a 25’ RIB law enforcement boat and a 31’ RIB salvage and towing vessel. “We’ve been fortunate to partner with Workskiff on these two projects as well as many others over the years. Their boats help clients meet the challenges faced on the water and efficiently operate in all weather conditions,” said Nick Boksa, President of Boksa Marine Design. BMD managed the entire design of both vessels.

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos welcomed the launch of the Seafarers’ Rights International Centre, an independent forum dedicated to advancing seafarers’ interests, describing it as an important development on World Maritime Day, the theme of which is “2010: Year of the Seafarer”. The new Centre will be located at the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)’s London offices, with initial funding coming from the ITF’s Seafarers’ Trust. An international Advisory Board, currently 10-strong, has already been established and the Centre’s stakeholders will include seafarers, lawyers and other advisers, non-governmental organizations…

Climate change is a global problem that requires real solutions. That's why the Government of Canada supports a proactive approach to achieve real environmental and economic benefits for all Canadians. The causes of climate change and its impacts on the environment and human health are now more understood. Canada is a vast country with a diverse climate, which makes the impacts of climate change all the more important. Mr. Elsborg started as an apprentice within marine diesel services with PJ Diesel Engineering A/S located in Denmark as second generation in the family owned company. Elsborg moved to Montreal, Canada in 2009. Throughout the more than 14 years Elsborg was working with PJ Diesel Engineering A/S, side by side with CEO Anne-Mette Elsborg and technical director Peter Jensen.

Telling an audience of education and training specialists from industry, academia and the government that they have an awesome responsibility, Rear Adm. Gary Jones, Commander Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), addressed the Learning Strategies Consortium Conference in Orlando, Fla., July 18. Coordinated by the Navy’s Human Performance Center, the conference was themed "Real Issues, Real Solutions for Global Learning," and focused on global learning as it pertains to learning without boundaries. “We have an awesome responsibility,” explained Jones. “When great men and women step forward to lead our nation -- whether in politics, business or the military -- their training and education (or development) is the underpinning of their success.

The Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) and the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League have reached agreement on the establishment of a joint working group which will address Jones Act service issues between U.S.-flag carriers and American shippers. The offer of creating such a group was made by the MCTF in a meeting hosted by the NIT League last week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At its core, the MCTF offer was an effort to engage the shipper community in a dialogue which goes beyond merely debating the merits of the Jones Act. The objective is to explore common areas of interest between shippers and carriers and to develop operational solutions to logistics problems.

The Maritime Cabotage Task Force (MCTF) and the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League have reached agreement on the establishment of a joint working group which will address Jones Act service issues between U.S.-flag carriers and American shippers. The offer of creating such a group was made by the MCTF in a meeting hosted by the NIT League in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. At its core, the MCTF offer was an effort to engage the shipper community in a dialogue which goes beyond merely debating the merits of the Jones Act. The objective is to explore common areas of interest between shippers and carriers and to develop operational solutions to logistics problems.