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Transport Systems News

19 Dec 2023

Anschütz Advances the Autonomous Bridge System

AnschĂĽtz

As part of the Clean Autonomous Public Transportation Network (CAPTN) initiative, Anschütz' research into autonomous systems and assistance systems onboard ships that support navigators has made progress in 2023. In the Remote Operating Centre (ROC) which is set up on land at Anschütz, the MV Wavelab -- a research catamaran that is operating on a maritime test field on the Kiel Fjord in Germany -- is monitored. Part of the ROC is a complete digital twin with all the data provided by the various existing and experimental sensors and systems on board the Wavelab.

30 Nov 2023

IMO and Korea Agree to Boost SMART-C Program

Source: IMO

The IMO and the Republic of Korea have signed a suite of agreements to formally establish and boost the IMO-Republic of Korea Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation (SMART-C) program.The goal of the KRW 25.5 billion (approximately $20 million) SMART-C program is to promote sustainable maritime transport systems and a sustainable marine environment by building knowledge and developing technical capacity in developing countries via long-term thematic projects.This Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding will ensure long-term programming of several technical cooperation projects.

20 Oct 2023

ABB Flags Q4 Slowdown and China Challenges

© Roland Magnusson / Adobe Stock

ABB flagged a slowdown in revenue growth in the fourth quarter and reported a continued decline in orders in China, sending its shares lower even as the Swiss engineering group posted third-quarter earnings broadly in line with forecasts.The maker of industrial drives and motors noted some signs of stabilisation in China, its second-largest market and said higher quarterly revenues and earnings were boosted by price increases outstripping cost inflation, and higher volumes.But…

29 Dec 2021

CETO JIP to develop Low Pressure Solutions for CO2 Ship Transport

Equinor, Shell, TotalEnergies, Gassco and DNV launched the CETO (CO2 Efficient Transport via Ocean) JIP to develop low-pressure solutions for the transportation of CO2 by ships. Image courtesy DNV

Equinor, Shell, TotalEnergies, Gassco and DNV announced the kick-off of a new JIP to develop low-pressure solutions for the transportation of CO2 by ships. The CETO (CO2 Efficient Transport via Ocean) JIP will carry out the technology qualification of a low-pressure ship design and identify solutions to scale CO2 transportation volume, while reducing the associated risks, to support the development of opportunities in CCS. CETO is funded by the project partners and GASSNOVA through the CLIMIT program and is expected to be completed in 2023.

21 Dec 2021

Partners Aim to Develop Low Pressure Solutions for CO2 Shipping

(Photo: DNV)

Energy companies Equinor, Shell, TotalEnergies, Gassco and classification society DNV have commenced a new joint industry project (JIP) to develop low-pressure solutions for the transportation of CO2 by ships. The CETO (CO2 Efficient Transport via Ocean) JIP will carry out the technology qualification of a low-pressure ship design and identify solutions to scale CO2 transportation volume, while reducing the associated risks, to support the development of opportunities in CCS. CETO is funded by the project partners and GASSNOVA through the CLIMIT program and is expected to be completed in 2023.

05 Jan 2021

There’s Room to Grow on Brazil’s Inland Waterways

(Photo: Hidrovias do Brasil)

Brazil’s waterways have enormous potential for commercial transport, but are still underused and inefficient in the country’s 12 river basins, according to Brazil’s National Transport Confederation (CNT). Of the 63,000 kilometers (km) that could potentially be used for inland navigation, only 19,500 km (30.9%) of the existing network is currently used commercially for cargo and passenger transport, leaving more than two-thirds unused.However, despite wasted opportunities, Brazilian rivers have registered an increase in transported volume in recent years…

10 Nov 2020

Armstrong Delivers 45' Pilot Boat to Alaska

(Photo: Armstrong Marine USA)

Port Angeles, Wash. boatbuilder Armstrong Marine USA said it recently delivered the 45’8” by 16’ semi-displacement catamaran, Serac, to the National Park Service (NPS) for use in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in Alaska.NPS selected Armstrong Marine’s proposal to build the Jutson Marine design in a competitive solicitation process last year. The vessel will be utilized for crew/cargo transfer and pilot operations in the park.The shaft and wheel propulsion system is comprised of twin John Deere 200-horsepower diesel engines…

05 Nov 2020

New Roadmap for Smart and Autonomous Vessels

(Photo: SINTEF Ocean)

A new roadmap developed by leading maritime research institutes in Norway and Singapore examines the path ahead for smart and autonomous sea transport systems.Unveiled at the SMI Forum in Singapore on October 22, by Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, Chee Hong Tat, and the Ambassador of Norway to Singapore, Anita Nergaard, the roadmap has been developed by SINTEF Ocean in Norway and Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), with input from Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI)…

04 Jun 2020

Wärtsilä to Supply Simulator for Inland Shipping Training

(Image: Wärtsilä)

The technology group Wärtsilä said it has been contracted by the City of Duisburg, Germany, to provide the latest in simulator technology for inland waterway navigation. The simulator will consist of seven full mission bridges in two locations within Duisburg; six at the Schiffer-Berufskolleg Rhein vocational college, and one at the DST Development Centre for Ship Technology and Transport Systems.The technology will enable inter-connectivity with other simulators, a universal hardware interface for future developments, and can be used for R&D purposes, Wärtsilä said.

18 May 2020

Brazil Maritime Trade Surplus Widens

© BrunoMartinsImagens / Adobe Stock

Brazil recorded a $19.7 billion maritime trade surplus in the first four months of the year as imports by value fell as the real currency weakened and exports of agriculture goods remained strong, a port operators group said on Monday.The surplus is 14.56% wider than in the same period of 2019 despite the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, which has disrupted transport systems worldwide, said ATP, which represents Brazilian private-sector terminal operators including miner…

08 Apr 2020

ABB Building Fuel Cells to Power Large Ships

Concept illustration of a large vessel powered by fuel cells. Image credit: ABB

ABB signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hydrogène de France to jointly manufacture megawatt-scale fuel cell systems capable of powering oceangoing vessels.The MOU between ABB and hydrogen technologies specialist Hydrogène de France (HDF) envisages close collaboration on the assembly and production of the fuel cell power plant for marine applications.Building on an existing collaboration announced on June 27, 2018 with Ballard Power Systems, a global provider of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell solutions…

23 Jan 2020

DP World Acquires 44% Stake in Swissterminal

Dubai-based global ports operator DP World has taken a 44% stake in Frenkendorf-headquartered Swissterminal Holding, the container terminal operator in Switzerland.The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction.Swissterminal, which is headquartered in Frenkendorf close to Basel, operates additional locations in Zurich-Niederglatt, Basel-Birsfelden, Basel-Kleinhueningen and Liestal. The terminals are well connected to Europe’s leading container ports in Rotterdam and Antwerp as well as the ports of La Spezia, Genoa, Ravenna and Trieste south of the Alps.DP World has grown from its roots in Jebel Ali Port…

25 Nov 2019

APM Terminals Barcelona unveils 5G

APM Terminals Barcelona revealed how the latest 5G wireless technology is enabling the use of V2X communication – where information is passed between vehicles and other entities that could affect it.During his presentation, entitled “5G in a container terminal: V2X applied to Cranes. Improving safety in a dangerous Environment”, Sergi Domínguez Tomas, Head of IT at APM Terminals Barcelona, explained that 5G technology provides an opportunity to develop new solutions to optimize safety within the terminal.“Wireless communications have always been difficult to manage in container terminals, but we are convinced that 5G technology will allow us to use V2X systems in our terminal…

26 Jul 2019

GTT Reports Strong H1 Order Book

French liquefied natural gas (LNG) containment system specialist GTT has posted a strong first-half order intake at the end of June corresponded to revenues of 713 million euros over the 2019-2022 period in its core business, which excludes LNG vessel propulsion systems and related services.The order book at the end of June had increased 27.4% year-on-year to 107 units. GTT said in its half-year report that “almost all” of its customers come from Asia, the world’s top LNG consumer.During the first half of 2019, GTT's business activity was marked by multiple successes, particularly in the field of LNG carriers, the gas transport systems supplier said in a press release.With 26 orders for LNG carriers booked during the first half of 2019…

11 Jul 2019

Will High-Speed Container Transport Ever Work?

Figure 2 is a first pass sketch of what it may look like (I already see various areas for improvement on this sketch, but for illustrative purposes it will do). Photo credit: Martin & Ottaway, Inc.

Every few years I am handed a high-speed container transport proposal. Generally it consists of some type of high speed vessel design that would be able to move containers at high speed and thereby attract a new market by taking a chunk out of the air cargo market and the premium ocean market. Occasionally we are asked to look at the economics for potential investors, and it always falls short of being economically viable. While it is possible to move containers a little quicker over the ocean with faster vessels…

28 Jun 2019

India Intros Maritime Technology Center

Indian Ministry of shipping has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with IIT Kharagpur on Wednesday for setting up a Centre for Inland and Coastal Maritime Technology (CICMT).CICMT will provide technological, vessel design and applied research support for inland waterways and coastal shipping, said a government release.Speaking on the occasion, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping said, “Indigenous technology is the need of the hour for the maritime sector, and we are determined to promote Make- In- India as per the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.”Detailing about the state-of-the-art centre which is being set up the under the flagship Sagarmala Program…

23 Jan 2019

Eurosib's First Transit Container Train Crossed Grodekovo

CJSC Eurosib SPb - Transport Systems  tgether with the Zhengzhou International Hub company (ZIH) started the first transit container train through border crossing of Grodekovo (Far East railway, RZD). The Container train follows the route Hamburg (Germany) - Zhengzhou (China).The first train with 43 forty-foot containers was dispatched on 28 December. On January 12, the train reached the border crossing Grodekovo  (Russia) - Suifenhe (China).Normally, within couple of days, it will arrive at final destination. At the same time, Eurosib is preparing the opposite direction train. Such service is planned on a weekly basis.Eurosib develops the competence in the organization of transit since 2015.

15 Jan 2019

CDP, Fincantieri and Snam Join for Innovation of Ports

Italian investment bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the largest shipbuilder in Europe Fincantieri and natural gas transmission company Snam teamed up to innovate port facilities in Italy and develop sustainable technologies for maritime transport.The preliminary collaboration agreement is aimed at identifying, defining and implementing medium-term strategic projects for the innovation and development of port facilities in Italy, as well as for the development of sustainable technologies applied to maritime transport, in line with the provisions of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan Proposal (PNIEC).The agreement was signed today in Rome by the CEOs of CDP…

18 Nov 2018

UNCTAD to Push Sustainability into Freight Transport Systems

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) convenes meeting on ways to build sustainability into freight transport systems, including shipping, to boost trade with and between developing countries.According to UNCTAD, governments, shipping companies and trading industries will need to balance economic, social and environmental concerns to achieve sustainability in maritime transport, experts will say at an UNCTAD meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21–23 November.Multi-year Expert Meeting on Transport, Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation comes just months after the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations specialized agency responsible for the safety…

29 Jul 2018

Container Shippers Opt For Waterway Transport At Dunkirk

After starting a new waterway container service between Dunkirk and Valenciennes in May this year, Nord Ports Shuttle (NPS) is gearing up for a significant increase in its transport capacity on the Dunkirk to Dourges line.This initiative is a response to fast-growing demand: in June NPS again beat a monthly record for traffic to and from Dunkirk, with nearly 2,800 TEU.The LDCT terminal at Dourges is currently served by two barges carrying 78 and 88 TEU respectively, offering four rotations a week with a capacity of 330 TEU a week at import.From 1 September onwards a third vessel with 88 TEU capacity will also ply this route, bringing the total capacity to more than 500 TEU at import and six calls a week…

07 Jun 2018

Call for Development of Holistic Corridor in Baltic

Development of transport corridors ensures smart and innovative cross-border transport and logistics services on the core transport network of the Baltic Sea Region. The ways to develop the smart North Sea–Baltic, Baltic–Adriatic and Scandinavian–Mediterranean Core Network Corridors in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 were discussed in Tallinn earlier this week. The seminar “Delivering Smart and Innovative Strategic Transport Projects: post-2020 perspective” was organized as a part of the 9th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). The seminar was hosted jointly with the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania and Mr.

17 May 2018

An Unlikely and Remarkable Safety Journey

(Credit: Gregory Thorp)

Late last year, the Transportation Research Board released a major study that was undertaken “in response to the rapid development of domestic sources of energy and questions about the safest ways to move these products.” The Study Committee examined the operational responses of the three primary modes impacted by the fracking revolution – rail, pipeline and maritime. A primary observation of this work was that that the “Marine Transportation System Offers a Model for Robust Safety…

11 May 2018

Jeddah Mulls Safe and Secure Regional Waters

Signatory States to an agreement aimed at repressing piracy, armed robbery and illicit maritime activity in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden Area have agreed that building response capability and information sharing are vital steps towards achieving a more safe and secure maritime environment. The signatories to the revised Code of Conduct concerning the repression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden Area, known as the Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017, were meeting In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a high level workshop (7-10 May) for all signatory States and States eligible to sign the Jeddah Amendment, donors and implementing partners.