NIB to Co-Finance Norledâs Vessels and Infrastructure in Norway
Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has signed a seven-year loan to co-finance ferry operator Norled ASâ investments in zero and low carbon vessels and related land-based infrastructure in Norway during 2024-2030.The InvestEU program supports the loan under NIBs Framework Operation Green Mobility and Transport approved by the Investment Committee.This NOK 500 million (EUR 43.4 million) loan will help Norled finance the extension of its low-carbon fleet. This is NIBâs first InvestEU loan in Norway.Norway is electrifying its transport network at a rapid paceâŚ
Spain's Energy Firms Look to Central Europe Markets for Green Hydrogen Deals
Spanish oil company Cepsa signed on Wednesday two agreements aimed at shipping green hydrogen between Spain and the Netherlands, a day after renewable energy giant Iberdrola took a similar step.The two Spanish companies are vying to become green hydrogen leaders, with planned investments worth billions of euros. The recent agreements will help them sell part of their expected production of green hydrogen and derivatives to industrial customers eager to decarbonize in Europe's economic powerhouseâŚ
Italy's Snam to Select Offshore Site for New FSRU in Early 2023
Itay's Snam will choose the offshore site for its new floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in the next 100 days, Italy's special commissioner for the project said on Friday, with its initial location already facing a legal challenge.Under the government's plan to diversify energy supply away from Russian gas, Italy's gas grid operator plans to moor the newly-bought FSRU in the port of Piombino, on Italy's west coast, for the next three years. After this period, it hasâŚ
TECO 2030 Unveils Power Barge Concept
Engineering firm TECO 2030 unveiled a new product concept for its containerized fuel cells, the TECO 2030 Power Barge, designed to serve as a scalable multimegawatt solution for electricity production for shore power from hydrogen.The solution comprises TECO 2030 fuel cell modules, batteries, power electronics, safety- and automation systems, hydrogen storage, and a refueling solution.âThe floating and mobile solution for shore power in locations with insufficient electrical gridâŚ
Italy's Snam Buys Golar Tundra FSRU for $350M
Italian gas group Snam has agreed to buy Golar LNG's floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) Golar Tundra for $350 million.The Golar Tundra can operate both as an LNG carrier and as an FSRU. The vessel, built in 2015, has a storage capacity of around 170,000 cubic meters of LNG and a continuous regasification capacity of 5 billion cubic meters per year.In order to maximise its regasification capacity, the vessel will be located in central-northern Italy, close to the areas with the greatest gas consumption. The Golar Tundra is expected to start operations as an FSRU during the spring of 2023, subject to the completion of authorizationâŚ
Italy Plans Two FSRU Units to Cut Russia Gas Reliance
Italy is looking to install two floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) to boost liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports as part of plans to cut reliance on Russian gas, Italy's energy transition minister said on Tuesday."Today we officially mandated (gas group) Snam to negotiate the acquisition of an FSRU and the leasing of a second," Roberto Cingolani said in a parliamentary hearing.His comments confirmed sources who earlier told Reuters the two vessels, with a combined capacity of more than 10 billion cubic meters (bcm)âŚ
Kiel's Future includes Autonomous, Electric Water Taxis
âWavelabâ will be an advanced testbed for sustainable urban mobility technologiesTorqeedo won a contract to supply a complete electric drive train for an autonomous boat in the German city of Kiel. Dubbed âWavelabâ, the electric vessel will serve as a research platform for the âClean Autonomous Public Transport Networkâ (CAPTN) initiative in Kiel. The program aims to create the infrastructure for an integrated inner-city mobility network based on multiple modes of transport onâŚ
Legal Background Behind New Nord Stream 2 License Demand
Germany's energy regulator has temporarily halted the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, requiring the Swiss-based, Gazprom-led consortium behind the infrastructure to form a German subsidiary to secure a licence.Following are some of the legal considerations associated with the move by Germany's Federal Network Agency, which aims to strengthen its oversight of the project in Germany.The list is partly based on information provided by specialist energy law firm Rosin Buedenbender in EssenâŚ
European Commission to Co-Finance Port of Algeciras LNG-Bunkering Vessel
The European Commission will co-finance the construction of the first vessel to be fully dedicated to liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering at the Port of Algeciras, Spain.The grant agreement was signed with Enagás and the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay on Tuesday.Enagás said the project is "boosted" by the Enagás start-up that specializes in small-scale LNG supply infrastructure, Scale Gas, and the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay (APBA).The initiative, coordinated by EnagásâŚ
Hill International to Develop Thessaloniki Port
A consortium led by Hill International has won a contract from Thessaloniki Port Authority (THPA) in Greece to support major expansion works at Thessaloniki port.Hill International, a player in managing construction risk, announced that it has signed an agreement with THPA as leader of a consortium including Rogan Associates SA, to provide design and project management services for the planned expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6.The Port of Thessaloniki is the most important port of Northern Greece and a key transportation hub for Southeast Europe as a part of the Core Network of the Trans-European Transport Network.It occupies a total area of approximately 1.5 million square meters and hosts a variety of activitiesâŚ
Volvo Penta, ABB, Chalmers Collaborate on Fast Charging-at-Sea
Volvo Penta has announced that it is to complete a feasibility study together with ABB in Sweden and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg to evaluate technology concepts that can meet the challenge of providing fast charging of electric vessels.âWhile all-electric boating remains in its infancy, for this exciting new transport system to be a success and grow, a network of fast charging stations needs to be developed,â says Niklas Thulin, Director Electromobility, Volvo Penta.
Antwerp Port Enhances Capacity
Europeâs second-largest seaport Port of Antwerp is building additional container handling capacity in the Antwerp port area.To cope with further growth until 2030 and also to attract international investment in the future, additional capacity of 7 million containers per year is required, said a press release from the port in the heart of Europe accessible to capesize ships.With the ECA Complex Project the Flemish government is considering the best location for this additional handling capacity. The investigation is multidisciplinary, consisting of various detailed studies.ECA focuses on three objectives: Creating additional container handling capacityâŚ
ABB Outlines Future for Lowestoft Port
Associated British Ports (ABP), owner and operator of the Port of Lowestoft, has launched a consultation on the Port of Lowestoft Master Plan, a document that sets out ABPâs future vision for growth and development at the port from now until 2036, inviting stakeholders to have their say on the portâs future.Together with ABP's other two East Anglian ports, Kingâs Lynn and Ipswich, it contributes £360 million to the UK economy every year, supporting 5,300 jobs nationally.Coupled with ABPâs ongoing investment in its infrastructure, the Port of Lowestoftâs key location, makes it ideal to service important offshore wind developments off the East Anglian coast.The port supports construction and operational facilities for developments including the East Anglia One projectâŚ
FLAGSHIPS to Deploy Two Hydrogen Vessels
The European project FLAGSHIPS was awarded $5.6m from the EU to support deploying two commercially operated zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell vessels in France and Norway.The FLAGSHIPS project contributes in building two new build vessels, one in Lyon, France and one in Stavanger, Norway. In Lyon, a hydrogen push-boat operated by Compagnie Fluvial de Transport (CFT) will serve as a utility vessel on one of its most demanding rivers, the Rhône. In Stavanger, hydrogen is intendedâŚ
ESPO Hails EU's Call for $38bln Transport Budget
The European Seaports Organisation (ESPO) said it strongly supports the European Parliamentâs call for an increased transport budget of EUR33.5 bn ($38bln).The budget proposed by the European Commission is insufficient to complete the TEN-T network and to invest in a safe, modern and sustainable transport network. Moreover, ESPO believes the proposed EUR10 bn transfer from the Cohesion Fund to Council on the future Connecting Europe Facility (CEF II) should be safeguarded. ESPO also welcomes the Common Understanding between the European Parliament and CEF II.âThe Parliament has given a strong signal in favour of an increased transport budget for the coming years. We embrace this decision and hope it will be confirmed in the further negotiations.
CN to Invest $345mln in British Columbia
Canadian National Railway (CN) said it plans to invest approximately $345 million across British Columbia in 2019 to expand and strengthen the Companyâs rail network throughout the province.âFollowing a record capital program in 2018, CN has been able to take on more traffic from different commodity sectors based on contracts with our customers. This year, CN is planning to invest even more than last year to continue boosting capacity and network resiliency and to meet growing traffic on our corridors across B.C.,â said Doug Ryhorchuk, Vice-President of CNâs Western Region.The B.C. investments are part of CNâs 2019 record $3.9-billion capital investment focused on enabling growth from all commodity segmentsâŚ
IRClass Signs MoU with Government of Assam
The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and the Government of Assam, a key state in Indiaâs north-east, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enhance the stateâs inland water transport (IWT) system to improve commuter safety.The MOU follows the funding agreement between the Government of Assam and the World Bank to modernize and transform inland water transport in the state which has the largest network of navigable inland waterways in India. Plans includeâŚ
Snam, Enagás, Fluxys Complete DESFA Acquisition
The consortium consisting Italyâs Snam, Spainâs Enagás and Belgiumâs Fluxys has completed the acquisition of a 66 percent stake in Greek natural gas operator DESFA.According to a joint release, the purchase valued at âŹ535 million ($613.9 million) has been completed with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) and Hellenic Petroleum.The consortium, which won the tender for the privatisation of DESFA in April 2018, has closed the purchase through the new company Senfluga Energy Infrastructure Holdings. The consortium has obtained financing without recourse for more than 10 years, corresponding to approximately 65% of the value of the company.DESFA owns and operatesâŚ
Denmark Mulls Most Modern Container Port
Copenhagen Malmö Port said that Denmarkâs most modern container port will be completed by the end of 2021 â the futureproof, modern, sustainable and automated container terminal in Copenhagen. The terminal substantially strengthens CMPâs role as the leading actor within freight handling in the capital region and throughout Eastern Denmark.The area in Outer Northern Harbour is fairly anonymous, however, the on-going groundworks are a reminder that this is where the container terminal of the future will be just three years from now.âWe are making a major investment. New technology and modern logistics solutions are paving the way for development of land totalling 450âŚ
EC Selects Enagás Initiative to Boost LNG
The âLNGHIVE2: Infrastructure and Logistics Solutionsâ project, coordinated by Enagás, has been selected by the European Commission âConnecting Europe Facilityâ (CEF) for funding.The initiative aims to boost the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for maritime and rail transport. The total investment in the project will be around EUR14 million, of which close to EUR3 million will be financed by European funds.The initiative, coordinated by Enagás and promoted by Puertos Del Eastado, features the participation of six other partners: the Port Authority of Huelva, RENFE Mercancías, ADIF, Saggas, Marflet Marine, and the ValenciaportâŚ
Seven Major Ports Join Climate Action Program
Seven ports have now elevated the Paris Agreement Climate Goal to the top of their agendas to keep global warming well below 2°C.With their World Ports Climate Action Program announced, the port authorities of Hamburg, Barcelona, Antwerp, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Vancouver and Rotterdam will collaborate in refining and developing tools to facilitate reduction of CO2 emissions from maritime transport.The Port Authority organisations call upon the shipping industry and other ports to join the commitment to deliver on the Paris Agreement and to work together on actions that yield measurable results.Allard Castelein President & Chief Executive Officer of Port of Rotterdam said: âThe Paris Agreement has set a clear target: we need to limit global warming to well below 2°C.
Inland Waterways Authority of India Goes Online for Cargo Movers
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) yesterday launched a dedicated portal to connect cargo owners and shippers with real time data on availability of vessels.The Government of India is developing National Waterways as a key transport intervention, as part of an integrated transport network strategy, which will help correct the transport modal mix that imposes huge logistics costs on the Indian economy. At present the cost of logistics in India, at 15 per cent of GDP, is about twice those in the United States.The landmark e-connect measure will enable direct interaction among the vessel operators, shippers and cargo owners as currentlyâŚ
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 SeaâBaltic, BalticâAdriatic and ScandinavianâMediterranean Core Network Corridors in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 were discussed in Tallinn earlier this week. The seminar âDelivering Smart and Innovative Strategic Transport Projects: post-2020 perspectiveâ 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.