Propane Uptake in Ports Takes Off
When if comes to energy transition, few alternative fuels tick as many boxes as propane, as propane offers much lower emissions when compared to diesel; the price of the fuel is more stable, less tied to crude oil volatility; the infrastructure to get started inside ports is simple, consisting of a storage tank, pump, and dispenser; and last but not least, renewable propane is available. Jim Bunsey from the Propane Education Research Center (PERC) discusses these advantages and more…
US Coast Guard Icebreaker Shipbuilding Plan Gets a $8.6B Boost
President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' earmarks more than $8.6 billion to increase the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker fleet in the Arctic, where Washington hopes to counter rising Russian and Chinese dominance.The funding includes $4.3 billion for up to three new heavy Coast Guard Polar Security Cutters, $3.5 billion for medium Arctic Security Cutters, and $816 million for procurement of additional light and medium icebreaking cutters.President Trump has been pushing to revive U.S. shipbuilding to counter China's growing strength in maritime manufacturing and naval dominance.
New Crane Tips Over During Delivery at Tuas Port
A new quay crane at Tuas Port, Singapore, tipped over on Sunday while it was being delivered to a non-operational berth.There were no injuries or fatalities.No damage has been assessed to adjacent port equipment and facilities. All of PSA Singapore (PSA)’s current operational berths remain fully accessible, and all port operations and port development works remain unaffected.The incident is under investigation.
Mexican Port Acquires Two Large Quay Cranes
Contecon Manzanillo (CMSA), ICTSI’s Mexican business unit and operator of the Second Specialized Container Terminal at the Port of Manzanillo, has acquired two quay cranes and four hybrid rubber tired gantry (RTG) cranes.At 60 meters high, the quay cranes are the largest in the Americas. They enable agile and efficient operations on vessels up to 400 meters long with beams of more than 60 meters. The acquisition is part of the ongoing terminal expansion and supports CMSA’s goal…
Innovative DynaMoor Ship Mooring Trial Begins in Japan
NYK, JERA, and Trelleborg Marine & Infrastructure (TMI) have jointly installed a new DynaMoor mooring system at the coal unloading berth of JERA's Hitachinaka Thermal Power Station in Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan.DynaMoor is a mooring system that reduces ship sway and surge while the vessel is at berth.The two DynaMoor units in this trial have been installed at the above berth and will be tested for one year.A motion sensor will be attached to berthed vessels to measure vessel-hull sway and surge when using DynaMoor…
Canada Invests Over $17M to Modernize Halifax Port Authority's Infrastructure
The government of Canada has allocated $17.4 million to accelerate the development of the infrastructure at the Halifax Port Authority, most of which will go to the roll out of Halifax – Hamburg green shipping corridor.This investment is aimed at bolstering environmental sustainability and supply chain efficiency while actively supporting decarbonization efforts in the transportation sector and strengthening infrastructure resiliency.Up to $15.7 million will go for the development of the Halifax – Hamburg green shipping corridor, under the Green Shipping Corridor Program.
ENERGY INSIGHT: Whatever the Weather, Propane Keeps Ports Moving
How propane offers unmatched reliability and resiliency when severe weather strikesPorts are critical hubs for global trade and shipping logistics, and they can’t afford to slow down due to extreme weather events. Especially in the Northern U.S., winter storms bring extreme freezing temperatures that can quickly create issues for any diesel or electric engines powering port equipment. Meanwhile, ports along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast must be prepared for hurricanes every year that can knock out the power grid and slow down operations for days…
Liebherr Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence
The LGM 1130 introduced in 1974 was Liebherr’s first mobile harbour crane, and the LHM has evolved with innovative design features and technological advancements. This month, Liebherr celebrates over one half century of innovation.Over the decades, Liebherr has continuously adapted to market demands, introducing innovative models such as the LHM 250 in 1996 and the LHM 550 in 2010– The all-electric LPS 420 E from 2019 and the new LHM series introduced in 2022 reflect Liebherr’s…
Konecranes to Build Port Cranes in the US
Finnish company Konecranes on Monday announced it is establishing a network of partners including steel structure providers and subcontractors to build port cranes in the United States in the coming years.The long-term plan was started as part of a series of initiatives from the U.S. government following concerns over cyber risks presented by foreign-built port equipment, especially Chinese-built ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, in U.S. ports. Konecranes, which has operated in the US for decades with three American crane manufacturing facilities currently active…
Crowley Reaches Labor Deal for Isla Grande Terminal in Puerto Rico
Crowley and Teamsters Union Local 901 have reached a new labor agreement to extend their longtime partnership into its sixth decade serving the shipping and logistics needs of Puerto Rico.The agreement, recently ratified by union members, covers the 200 employees who work at Crowley’s Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan until 2029. Employees there serve as port equipment operators, truck drivers and support operations in various other roles important to safe and reliable operations.“We have successfully worked with the Teamsters Union to provide safe…
Port of Detroit Unveils Plan to Decarbonize Operations
The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority on Monday revealed details of a program to slash carbon emissions to net zero by 2040 in an effort to improve air quality and the health of residents.Working with technical experts from sustainability consultancy Tunley Environmental, and thanks to funding from the State of Michigan, it established that operations across the port region were responsible for 27,869 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and that urgent action was needed.“The maritime industry is responsible for 3% of global emissions, and it’s growing.
Victoria International Container Terminal Phase 3A Expansion Completed
Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), ICTSI’s operations at the Port of Melbourne in Australia, recently completed Phase 3A of its expansion project.VICT can now accommodate neo-Panamax container ships, the largest container vessels calling Australia. The ships can now sail directly into Port Phillip and dock at VICT – the only terminal in Melbourne capable of receiving them. It is also the only fully-automated container terminal in the southern hemisphere.The AUD235 million expansion project is being carried out in two phases.
US Invests Another $3 Billion into Clean Ports
The Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled a $3 billion initiative to fund clean ports, aimed at reducing emissions and advancing environmental justice. Announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Ports Program will support the transition to zero-emission operations at ports across the country.The program, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, includes two grant competitions. The first, the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment Competition, will allocate nearly $2.8 billion to fund zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure.
Biden Executive Order Targets Cybersecurity at US Ports
President Biden on Wednesday signed an Executive Order aiming to strengthen cybersecurity at U.S. ports amid growing threats to America's vital maritime supply chains.The directive bolsters the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to address maritime cyber threats, including through the creation of new standards to ensure the security of networks and systems throughout the nation’s marine transportation system (MTS), which supports $5.4 trillion in economic activity each year."Most critical infrastructure owners and operators have a list of safety regulations they have to comply with…
MARAD and AAPA Working to Identify US Port Cargo Handling Needs
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) announced they are surveying port authorities and marine terminal operators to identify national port cargo handling needs over the next five to 10 years.In addition, through interviews with ports and U.S. manufacturers, this effort will assess the interest and capability of American and foreign manufacturers to produce cargo handling equipment and other relevant port equipment in the U.S.
Ask What Your Government Can Do For Your Industry (A 2023 Retrospective)
John F. Kennedy’s famous locution, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but you can do for your country” remains the rallying call for civic action and public leadership. The message remains foundational to the success of the United States, particularly as we head into an election year that once again appears to be filled with divisiveness and vitriol. That said, before we flip the calendar, it is important to set JFK’s message aside for a moment and reflect upon what our political leadership in Washington…
Bringing the Capital Construction Fund Program Ashore
On May 5, 2023, the White House announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was “taking the next step to invest $3 billion in its Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to help ports develop climate action plans to reduce air pollutants, improve air quality and public health in neighboring communities, and advance environmental justice.” That “next step” was the issuance of a Request for Information to inform EPA of the availability…
The Real Cost of Net Zero Ports
Zero emission is a nice idea, but who’s going to pay for it? The U.S. EPA is readying big money for zero emission ports.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working on two high-profile port initiatives that it hopes will move the needle in a big way towards U.S. ports’ zero emissions (ZE) operations and clean air goals.The first initiative started last May when EPA published a request for information and comments that would help the Agency develop Guidance it could use to evaluate funding requests for projects for zero-emission vehicles, port equipment and related infrastructure.
US Launches $4 Billion Effort to Electrify US Ports, Cut Emissions
The Biden administration on Friday launched a $4 billion effort to electrify U.S. ports and cut heavy duty truck emissions as the government looks to address disproportionate impacts on nearby communities.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was seeking input in its $3 billion Clean Ports Program to reduce pollutants at U.S. ports and its $1 billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program to reduce vehicle emissions near ports and other truck routes. EPA wants details about the availability…
Onshore Funding for US Offshore Wind
Most of the media coverage of offshore wind development in the United States focuses on the leases of the offshore areas where the wind turbines will be located. However, equally important is the landside dimension of these projects, including the manufacture, installation, maintenance and operation of the turbines. Several awards made in the last two rounds of funding under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) show how offshore wind now offers an additional direction of port development for which funding is available.
Kongsberg Wins Deal to Equip Sweden's New All-electric Ferries
Kongsberg Maritime on Wednesday announced it has signed a contract with Holland Shipyards Group to provide electrification and control systems with automated functionalities for up to four new all-electric ferries for the Swedish Transport Administration, with two firm for delivery and an option for two more.Kongsberg Maritime said it has been tapped to provide the ferries’ electrical systems, as well as a control system suite, including energy management, navigation, an all-new…
Hydrogen as Fuel: Possibilities, But…
Hydrogen is everywhere. You know that from high school chemistry. And you also know it from Marine News’ almost daily updates about H powered vessel projects around the world.As a fuel that could potentially replace fossil fuels, H is in the spotlight. Perhaps the brightest spotlight, at least in the U.S., is within the Department of Energy’s “Energy Earthshots” initiative.R&D on H was the first such Earthshot announced last year. DOE wants the “Hydrogen Shot” program to “accelerate…
Truck Blockade at Port of Oakland Stretches into Day Three
Independent truckers protesting California's new "gig worker" law blockaded California's third-busiest seaport for the third straight day on Friday, delaying shipments at the state's top agricultural export hub and adding to U.S. supply chain headaches.Truck gates at all four Port of Oakland marine terminals remain closed to truck traffic on Friday. Oakland International Container Terminal (OICT), which handles about 70% of port cargo, restarted some work on ships, a port spokesperson said.Oakland port truckers began actions against the law formally known as AB5 on Monday.