Maritime

Concordia Damen to deliver two Dry Cargo vessels to Amer Shipping

Published

2 months ago

January 30, 2023

Concordia Damen

Concordia Damen to deliver two Dry Cargo vessels to Amer Shipping. Image: Concordia Damen

Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

Inland shipping construction yard Concordia Damen will deliver two Dry Cargo vessels to Amer Shipping. Sustainability considerations and the hull shape of this in-house developed ship type were the deciding factors, partly because it allows skippers to sail longer at low water levels, which is predicted to occur often in the coming years.

Amer Shipping already has a fleet of 57 vessels, including owned tankers, dry cargo and container vessels as well as associated ships. The company transports approximately 8 million tons of cargo per year, mainly raw materials for construction projects and project cargo for
various industries. Amer Shipping is mainly active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland and is now expanding and adapting its fleet to put its sustainability commitment into practice.

Inland shipping entrepreneur Peter Buijks, co-owner of Amer Shipping, says: “We have been working on making our daily operations more sustainable for some time now. New ships must match this effort. These two bulk carriers are based on Concordia Damen Parsifal tankers and a lot of research has been done on them, such as speed versus fuel consumption, resistance and future adaptability. For example, we’ll install Stage V engines and shaft generators. Our customers are increasingly looking at their CO2 emissions. In order to continue to serve them well, we are developing ourselves along with this trend and are looking at various options to reduce our footprint. These ships fit in well with goal.”

CDS Dry Cargo 110

This ship type measures 110 x 11.45 meters and can transport a lot of tonnage at a low draft, which is especially beneficial at low tide and shallow water levels. In addition, the ship has a relatively small footprint, because it can sail faster with lower fuel consumption due to its low
resistance. “The design of the lower section is the same as that of our Parsifal Tankers,” says Pieter Baggerman, Naval Architect at Concordia Damen. “That type has an optimized hull shape. It works really well and so we have applied the same design principles to our container and bulk carriers and with the same results.”

That was also decisive in the choice that Amer Shipping made for their newbuilds. Peter Buijks: “The CDS Dry Cargo 110 transports no less than 200 tons more cargo compared to an existing in our fleet. At the same time, fuel consumption and emissions are reduced due to the low resistance. In addition, we can continue sailing with it for longer periods in water levels of 1.15 meters, although the ship is of course not fully loaded in those circumstances. That gave us the confidence to contract these vessels. Moreover, in Germany there are not only draft restrictions, but also many waterways spanned by low bridges. Due to the favourable air draught of these ships, we can sail under bridges of 4.30 meters with a draft of 2.50 metres. This way we can continue to do business in a responsible manner in different circumstances.”

Baggerman: “Both family businesses have known each other for a long time. We are very grateful to welcome Amer Shipping and the Buijks family as a new customer! The favourable speed-power curve created by the hull shape and the fact that the design leaves room for adjustments based on the customer’s wishes, makes for a good business case. This also applies to the type of propulsion: you can adjust that quite easily at a later stage if market developments or regulations require it. And what was really important to Amer Shipping: short
delivery times. Since we started building some of our proven designs in stock, we can deliver faster. In this case, we expect deliveries in June and the end of 2023.”

Click to comment

Maritime

Wartsila to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems

Published

12 hours ago

March 31, 2023

Wartsila

Wartsila to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems. Image: Wartsila

Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

Technology group Wartsila has again been contracted by the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard to supply the Cargo Handling and integrated Fuel Gas Supply systems for Very Large Ethane Carrier vessels. This latest order, booked by Wartsila in Q1, 2023, is for two VLECs being built for Japanese ship owner Iino Line.

It follows a series of ongoing deliveries of similar newbuild VLEC vessels at HHI. Wartsila has had a long-standing relationship with HHI, especially regarding a wide range of gas related products and systems for various types and sizes gas carriers

“We have great respect for Wartsila as a provider of high-quality cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems, which are essential elements in the design of these ships. In today’s maritime market, close cooperation with trusted partners is increasingly important for ensuring that projects are completed in the most efficient way possible,” said Mr. Sangryul Kim, Vice President, Hyundai Heavy Industries.

“It is satisfying to be awarded the order, and we are grateful for the trust shown in our products by HHI. This latest order further strengthens Wartsila’s position as a market leader in cargo handling and fuel supply systems, and notably for large sized ethane carriers. These are advanced and very specialised vessels requiring advanced and specialised solutions, which we are proud to deliver,” commented Harald Øverland, Sales Manager, Cargo Handling and Fuel Supply Systems, Wartsila Gas Solutions.

The Wartsila equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in mid-2024.

Wartsila Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on the journey towards a sustainable future through focus on lifecycle, innovation and digitalisation.

Maritime

AD Ports to use Vessel Traffic Management Information System

Published

13 hours ago

March 31, 2023

Abu Dhabi Ports

AD Ports to use Vessel Traffic Management Information System. Image: AD Ports

Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

AD Ports Group is to implement a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management Information System across its UAE operations, as the company continues to invest in innovative solutions to drive safety, security and efficiency. The new technology is set to be installed across Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, Free Port, Musaffah Port, and Al Dhafra region ports.

The investment marks the latest move by AD Ports Group to deploy advanced digital solutions within the UAE in support of the nation’s efforts to develop a world-class maritime and ports sector.

The implementation of an advanced and fully integrated VTMIS is a vital requirement in developing an enhanced Ports Community System (PCS) and ensuring the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The system is used to ensure the integration and interconnection of all assets in a port and maritime environment, integrating tools such as radar, CCTV, radios, meteorological systems, radio direction finders and towers. This provides port operators with access to real-time information and improves vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communication.

Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, Acting CEO – Maritime Cluster and Safeen Group, AD Ports Group said: “AD Ports Group has made this investment in a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS) to maximise the safety, security and efficiency of our port and maritime operations. This demonstrates our drive to improve quality and safety in accordance with the highest international standards, and assists our marine services team in making smart, rapid decisions informed by real-time information.”

This advanced level of transparency and communication can support safe and secure management of maritime operations, by supporting functions such as traffic management systems including collision avoidance and safe navigation, search and rescue, oil pollution detection and environmental protection.

To support the implementation of the new system, AD Ports Group intends to advance and upgrade the current VTC Centre with video walls and operator consoles, to provide a comprehensive view of tracked vessels within the VTMIS area.

Once implemented, the new technology will support safe and efficient navigation, enhancing AD Ports Group ability to remotely monitor shipping from the command centre at Khalifa Port, in locations as far as 300km away.

Environment

Jeddah Islamic Port boosts decarbonization drive

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2023

Saudi Ports Authority

Jeddah Islamic Port boosts decarbonization drive. Image: Pixabay

Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

The Saudi Ports Authority has announced cutbacks in crane activity and truck turnaround times at Jeddah Islamic Port in line with its annual target of lowering carbon footprint at the Kingdom’s busiest port by 1,046 tons in 2023.

Complementing the goals of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS), the Jeddah port’s decarbonization efforts form part of Mawani’s Green Ports initiative that seeks to slash energy consumption by 15% through equipment electrification and diesel phaseout across the Kingdom’s trade hubs.

Through a 33% decrease in average yard crane moves for every imported container that requires manual inspection as well as a 17% reduction in truck turnaround times, the port further solidifies its standing as a cost-competitive and operationally-efficient logistics destination at the crossroads of East-West trade.

The national maritime regulator’s environmental strategies are inspired by the Saudi Green Initiative, a national climate action plan that aims to unite the Kingdom’s push towards ecological protection, energy transition, and emissions reductions through a joint collaborative approach between the public and private sectors.

The Red Sea based hub had recently bagged the Port of The Year award at the Green Shipping Summit 2023 that was held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands for its successful track record in harnessing innovative and sustainable technologies and solutions for a greener tomorrow.

Mawani has been keen on transforming the Saudi ports into investment platforms and facilitating the Kingdom’s trade with the rest of the world. The Authority seeks to achieve an effective regulatory and commercial environment supported by an operating model that enables growth and innovation in the Kingdom’s maritime industry.

It also envisions developing a sustainable and prosperous ports sector to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a leading global logistics hub. Mawani strives to realize Saudi Arabia’s economic and social ambitions by ensuring reliable and efficient logistics operations, as well as creating a safe and sustainable maritime environment.