Sustainable Supply Chain News

Germany's top utility RWE has signed a Letter of Support with the Port Authority of A Coruña to facilitate the scaling-up of the port capacity in support of the Spanish government’s floating wind targets.Working together under a Letter of Support, the partners will investigate the potential for transforming infrastructure at the Port of Coruña, in northwest Spain, into a logistic hub for the marshalling, assembly and deployment of major components for commercial-scale floating…

Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the world’s largest RoRo vessel operator, has signed a letter of intent for the delivery of four 9,350 CEU methanol-capable and ammonia-ready vessels and individual options for an additional eight vessels. The four vessels will be delivered from mid-2026 and onwards by Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu). “We are securing our position as our customers' first choice in shipping and delivering on our strategy to provide a net-zero emission free end-to-end service by 2027,” says Xavier Leroi, EVP & COO Shipping Services Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

Cargill will charter the world’s first fully electric pusher boat and barges to transport cocoa beans in the Netherlands.The company will use Kotug International’s zero emission E-Pusher and E-Barges to transport cocoa beans from the Port of Amsterdam, the largest cocoa import port in the world, to its cocoa factory in Zaandam. The fully electrified pusher and barges eliminate both emissions and noise pollution for inland shipping.The E-Pusher 1 was christened this week, marking the official start of the operations with the vessel for Cargill…

In the run-up to Christmas, there was considerable anxiety about shortages of festive food and gifts. Trade friction was already at the core of the Brexit debate, and supply chain issues have been made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.For example, a computer chip shortage had a knock-on effect across many industries. Concerns have also been raised about everything from lithium supply for electric vehicle batteries to restaurant food supplies to even coffee shortages.Never has the issue of supply chain management been so prominent.

Wärtsilä Voyage has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to further strengthen their collaboration in smart port innovation and digitalization. The main objectives of this strategic partnership are to initiate, develop and promote innovative solutions that accelerate digitalization; foster interoperability in e-navigation and ship-to-shore secure data communications to enable port-to-port optimization and establish reliable…

The Port of Los Angeles is working with IBM to design and operate a Port Cyber Resilience Center (CRC) at the U.S.' busiest container port.A $6.8 million, three-year agreement between the seaport and tech giant includes hardware, software and services to design, install, operate and maintain the first-of-its-kind system aimed at detecting and protecting against malicious cyber incidents potentially impacting cargo flow as well as improving the quality, quantity and speed of cyber…

The global port operator DP World's UAE Region has been recognised for its efforts to create a more efficient and sustainable supply chain when it was awarded the Supply Chain Sustainability Award at this year’s Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Supply Chain Conference.Mohammed Sulaiman, Business Development Manager of DP World, UAE Region, received the award on behalf of the company at a ceremony held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai’s Festival City, said a press release.The Supply Chain Sustainability Award recognises organisations that initiate best practices in supply chain management through programmes or projects that have a noticeable impact on the economy…

Three European Commission co-funded initiatives – Poseidon Med II, CYnergy and Elemed – are driving forward the uptake of alternative fuels in the Eastern Mediterranean region.Poseidon Med II: Creating a comprehensive and sustainable supply chain for LNG bunkeringThe Poseidon Med II project is a practical roadmap that aims to promote wide adoption of LNG as a safe, environmentally efficient and viable alternative fuel for shipping and help the East Mediterranean marine transportation propel towards a low carbon future.The project, which is co-funded by the European Union, involves three countries: Greece, Italy and Cyprus, six European ports (Piraeus, Patras, Lemesos, Venice, Heraklion, Igoumenitsa) as well as the Revithoussa LNG terminal.

Global maritime contractor Van Oord has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Shell Marine covering the lubrication needs for its entire fleet of vessels.The all-inclusive agreement was acknowledged in a special ceremony, staged at the Van Oord headquarters in Rotterdam, where Jaap de Jong signed on behalf of Van Oord and Inbar van de Burg reciprocated on behalf of Shell Marine. The final deal evolved to reflect Shell Marine’s commitments to time-critical delivery of lubricants for use on Van Oord vessels worldwide…

The Harbor Performance Enhancement Center (HPEC), a unique $130 million-dollar public-private partnership dedicated to facilitating sustainable freight movement and supply chain efficiencies throughout the United States, has completed a strategic transaction with Macquarie Principal Finance, to provide capital for the development of the 5.5 million square foot container staging hub located at Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles (POLA). As detailed in a brief video, the public-private project will transform 110 acres that is currently fallow and bring the latest technology and a unique set of operating capabilities to bear on the challenges that currently constrain freight flow through the busiest port in the Western Hemisphere.

Nearly 1,000 ports and port-related enterprises met in Antwerp, Belgium to sign the charter of the new World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP). Earlier, more than 250 professionals from ports, shipping, government and society gathered at the Port of Antwerp for the kick-off of the World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP). Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians opened the event with a keynote address in which she underlined the important role that ports play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, which are at the core of WPSP. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Kitack Lim referred to the platform that IMO is offering for more collaboration between shipowners, ports, maritime administrations and other stakeholders.

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a $1.17 billion fiscal year (FY) 2016/17 annual budget for the Port of Los Angeles. As in years past, budget allocations closely align and support the four key objectives of the Port’s 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, which include: development of a world-class infrastructure that promotes growth; implementation of an efficient, secure and environmentally sustainable supply chain; improved financial performance of Port assets; and strengthened relationships with Port stakeholders. “Our Port Strategic Plan has been a great tool to keep us consistently focused and committed to our infrastructure and operational priorities,” said Ambassador Vilma Martinez, Harbor Commission President.

Decom North Sea (DNS), the representative body for the offshore decommissioning industry, which promotes and facilitates collaboration and cost reduction, today appointed a new chief executive. Roger Esson brings over 20 years’ highly relevant experience as DNS continues to play a critical part in the development of the UK decommissioning sector. Having held a variety of leadership positions within companies ranging from SMEs to tier 1 contactors, his previous roles have included time with Stork Technical Services and Amec Foster Wheeler’s decommissioning division. He has played an active role in the execution of several of the UK’s most significant decommissioning projects - including the MCP01…

Cargo shipments at the Port of Long Beach were up 6.1 percent for the first three months of 2016 compared to the same period last year, starting the year off strongly. Lifted by big gains in January and February, the quarter was the port’s best since 2007. While March 2015 volumes soared 32 percent over the same month in 2014 due to the exceptional recovery from cargo backlogs early last year, March 2016’s container volumes were down 26.2 percent. Other factors contributing to this March’s smaller monthly total included the Lunar New Year…

Market-led solution reduces shipping’s carbon dioxide emissions. Ahead of COP21, 26 of the 35 charterers that include vessel efficiency in their supply chain selection have come forward to highlight their proactive measures on climate change. By using the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Rating to find the more efficient vessels these industry leaders are using their influence to incite change in the maritime industry by rewarding ship owners that prioritise efficiency. Developed in 2010 in response to customer demand, the GHG Emissions Rating is a tool developed by RightShip, the maritime risk management specialist. The tool is available free of charge to all RightShip customers and at ShippingEfficiency.org and allows charterers and other stakeholders to assess the efficiency of vessels.

Vopak Terminal Botlek has completed the upgrading of its Benzene and Pygas storage capacity. The new Benzene and Pygas tanks and infrastructure meet the latest customer and regulatory requirements and further reinforce the Aromatics trading hub in the Port of Rotterdam. Total (seabound) throughput of BTX and pygas in the extensive Rotterdam cluster adds up to almost 3 million tonnes. This includes handling at terminals, production plants and ship-ship transhipment. With the upgrade, Vopak Terminal Botlek offers 56,000 cbm of dedicated storage capacity for Benzene and Pygas in fourteen tanks of 4,000 cbm each. This includes three switch tanks, which can be used for both Pygas and Benzene. Another three tanks are dedicated to Pygas, the remaining eight tanks are dedicated to Benzene.

Wärtsilä and Van Oord, the Netherlands-based contractor for dredging and offshore projects, have entered into an exclusive partnership for all field service and parts supply. The agreement covers preventive and corrective engine maintenance by Wärtsilä on Van Oord's fleet of dredging and other vessels. The contract has a total value of EUR 30 - 40 million over three years. The framework agreement will enable both parties to plan the required service work well in advance, thereby ensuring minimal vessel downtime and the effective use of human resources.

Held on January 16, 2014 in London, Global freight forwarder and logistics services provider Damco has won two awards at the event of the British International Freight Association – BIFA Awards. The Damco U.K. team was chosen best in two categories - The Environment Award and Young Freight Forwarder Award. The jury chose Damco, as the team exhibited a range of initiatives that scope extends beyond their own organization, including reporting of the carbon footprint to their customers and demonstrating total transparency.