APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port, has officially announced the launch of a ground-breaking solar power project worth approximately BHD3.8 million, which will make the port energy self-sufficient by the end of 2023.

By implementing this project, the terminal will reduce its carbon emissions by 65% while also securing a reliable and sustainable source of energy, effectively making Khalifa Bin Salman Port the region’s first fully energy-sufficient seaport.

The solar power project is part of APM Terminals’ global decarbonisation plans, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2040. As a subsidiary of A.P. Moller-Maersk, APM Terminals is committed to leading the way in promoting sustainability within the maritime industry, and the solar power project in Bahrain is one of the main pillars in its overall decarbonisation journey.

Furthermore, the driving force behind the solar power initiative is in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for a more prosperous and sustainable Bahrain and follows the carbon-neutral commitment made by Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to reduce the kingdom’s emissions by 30% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2060.

“We are very excited to take the first major step in our decarbonisation plans, which will make Khalifa Bin Salman Port the region’s first seaport to be fully powered by renewable energy. Our decarbonisation strategy for the port is in line with the vision of HM The King and the commitment of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for Bahrain, as well as APM Terminals’ global goal of being safer, better, and bigger” shared Farooq Zuberi, Chief Finance Officer and Interim Managing Director, APM Terminals Bahrain. He continued, “We are constantly striving to develop more sustainable and responsible business practices in order to serve better our customers and the communities in which we work.”

By the end of the solar implementation project, APM Terminals Bahrain will have installed 20,000 solar photovoltaic panels capable of generating 18.5 Gigawatts of electricity per year. This renewable energy source will produce clean and sustainable energy for powering various port operations, including container handling, crane operations, and lighting, setting an example for the entire maritime industry. APM Terminals Bahrain is excited to contribute to the government’s efforts to realise a carbon-neutral Bahrain and be part of A.P. Moller – Maersk’s goal to achieve net-zero GHG emissions in 2040 across all business entities.

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. is adding another berth to its flagship, the Manila International Container Terminal. The new berth, MICT’s eighth, is beyond the contractual commitments to the Department of Transportation and the Philippine Ports Authority.

DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, PPA General Manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago and ICTSI executive vice president Christian R. Gonzalez led the groundbreaking for the new berth. They were joined by DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Reinier Paul Yebra, MICT executive director Phillip Marsham, and DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Elmer Francisco Sarmiento.

To be constructed in phases, Berth 8 will greatly add to the MICT’s capability to service foreign ultra-container vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs, a trend that has been growing in the past years. The new berth will create another 400 meters of quay along with 12 hectares of yard space that will bring an additional annual capacity of 200,000 TEUs. When completed, the MICT will have an annual capacity of 3.5 million TEUs, making the MICT the Philippines’ largest international gateway. The full build will give the MICT a total berth length of 2,300 meters, a 21 percent increase in berthing capacity.

Gonzalez said: “We are excited to announce the development of Berth 8, which enables us to be in the same league as the world’s top terminals. More importantly, this will bring significant economic benefits to the Philippines as we have the added capacity to handle growing trade volumes.”

He added: “We thank the DoTr and the PPA for supporting our initiatives and sharing our vision for a vibrant Philippine port and logistics industry that will translate to the overall prosperity of the country.”

Along with equipment, Berth 8 is estimated to cost P15 billion. MICT is currently capable of handling neo-Panamax ships through berths 6 and 7, which are operated by five quay cranes (QC). A sixth crane is scheduled to arrive in July 2023 and will be operational within the year. Berth 8 will operate with a minimum of four QCs – two of which will be delivered in 2025.

Since taking over the MICT in 1988, ICTSI has remitted in excess of Php96 billion to the government through the PPA. Over the same period, ICTSI has remitted to its host government – the City of Manila – over P3 billion in taxes. The company has invested in excess of P40 billion to modernize the MICT, handling over 47 million TEUs since 1988.

Aside from the construction of Berth 8, ICTSI has commenced the modernization of Berths 1 to 5 and their backup and yard areas. The project includes the installation of additional reefer racks to accommodate approximately 300 TEUs of reefer cargo.

Aside from infrastructure developments, ICTSI continues to invest in technology to make MICT’s operations more efficient.

ICTSI launched a mobile app last year that grants port users visibility over their cargo. The ICTSI App enables customers to monitor the status of their shipment across ICTSI’s network of terminals in the Philippines, which include MICT, NorthPort, Subic Bay International Terminals (SBITC), and Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT). Other ICTSI terminals in the country will soon be covered by the app.

ICTSI recently partnered with Intelligent E-Processes Technologies Corp. (IETC), the subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation that manages Autosweep RFID, to enable a faster, more seamless gate process for trucks at the Port of Manila. The partnership will enable RFID scanners at the terminal gates to read Autosweep tags and match the trucks’ plate numbers, resulting in faster gate access and process.

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited announces that the German government confirmed the approval of CSPL’s investment in 24.99% equity interest of Container Terminal Tollerort from Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft, based on the approval conditions given in October 2022 by the German government. The Company welcomes the decision by the German government and will complete the transaction with HHLA soon.

Within the trend of globalisation, trade and economic ties between China and Germany will continue to develop further, and demand for maritime transport from both countries will continue to increase Hamburg Port’s CTT is well positioned geographically, in close proximity to major industrial hubs in Germany, and trade volume to and from China already makes up 30% of total trade volume at Hamburg Port.

The completion of this transaction will help strengthen the relationship of both parties from every aspect, and both parties will utilise their expertise and advantages in their own areas. CSPL will leverage on its leading position in the global terminal operator industry and the advantages of its global terminal network, as well as the synergy of COSCO SHIPPING Group, to introduce shipping companies and logistics industry chain to enhance the business competitiveness of the terminal.

The Company believes that the completion of this transaction will further enhance the service capability of CSPL around the world, strengthen CTT’s position as a global trade hub, facilitate regional trade and economic development and bring benefits to the global economy.