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Maersk outlines power of electrical vehicles in sustainable supply chains

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Maersk outlines power of electrical vehicles in sustainable supply chains. Image: Maersk
Maersk outlines power of electrical vehicles in sustainable supply chains. Image: Maersk
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Speaking at a Zero Emission Fleet Workshop in Phoenix, Arizona in January 2023, Maersk executives outlined what’s important in the Electrical Vehicle journey for customers to know as they plan for sustainable supply chains.

The first requirement is management commitment to the decarbonization goal of net zero and the long-term investment in its multi-year effort. In 2018, Maersk committed to Net Zero Green House Gas emissions by 2050. Last year, that date was accelerated by 10 years to 2040 across all modes and businesses as part of a comprehensive Environmental, Social Governance (ESG) plan. In March 2022, Maersk North America ordered 436 Electrical vehicles (Class 8 trucks) to replace diesel trucks. Decarbonizing inland transportation through heavy duty, electric trucks and the creation of charging station infrastructure benefits supply chains and communities, and is central to Maersk’s inland transportation ESG plans.

“By using Class 8 electric trucks, we will be reducing traffic noise and emissions in the communities we serve to fully comply with upcoming regulations. Our goal in the near future is for Maersk North America to be charging our entire fleet with 100 percent renewable electricity to offer our customers an environmentally-friendly alternative for short-haul trucking.” said Carlo Bertani, Maersk’s North America Environmental Manager.

The second requirement in EV operations is the ability to scale and look for partners. Maersk partnered with TEC Equipment – a Volvo Trucks’ Certified EV Dealership, who helped identify the ideal truck configurations needed to operate daily freight routes. This partnership allowed Maersk to leverage Volvo Trucks’ Electric Performance Generator (EPG) tool, which simulates real-world routes and determines which ones are best suited based on environmental factors such as route details, traffic patterns, speed, payload, terrain and ambient temperature. The EPG also considers if an opportunity charge (the optimal location for charging infrastructure) would be required. Volvo Trucks turnkey solution is used for the first six years of ownership that provides 24/7 support, scheduled and preventative maintenance, towing and vehicle repair (including the energy storage unit and the complete electromobility system) to ensure peak vehicle uptime, performance and productivity.

“Both Volvo Trucks and TEC Equipment continue to go above and beyond to support our growing battery-electric fleet operations. One example is the ongoing training they are providing to help our drivers optimize the range of the Volvo VNR Electric, including how to leverage regenerative braking benefits to add power back to the battery.” commented Michael Gallagher, Head of Indirect Sourcing, North America, at Maersk North America.

One of the challenges with the operation of Class 8 EVs is the lack of charging infrastructure. To mitigate this, Maersk is working cooperatively with public utilities and local officials to ensure that charging infrastructure is built in strategically-placed locations to maximize the efficiency of trucking operations. The company also worked with their warehouse leasing partner’s mobility unit, Prologis Mobility, to combine electric charging infrastructure into existing warehouse facilities to optimize truck deployment.

To comply with future regulations, Federal, State and Local funding incentives are aimed at accelerating scalability of EVs. EVs and battery performance are still in the early years of adoption and do not come without challenges. The cost of an electric vehicle is 2-3x more than a diesel vehicle and while battery performance will evolve to improve in duration and weight reduction, the reality is that early adopters of the technology are working to determine the best path forward. For example, current battery technology averages 275 miles on a full charge and a battery can add >6000 lbs. of extra weight to a truck. Charging time depends on the battery’s state of charge, the charging rate of the dispenser and the truck’s ability to accept a certain rate of charge. Initial charging times are approximately 75 minutes but are improving over time.

Regulatory compliance with climate change goals in California and New York are bringing new mandates for all new trucks to be zero emissions by 2045. The State of California has a target of 100 percent of passenger and light-duty truck sales to be zero emissions by 2035, medium and heavy-duty trucks by 2045.

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Freight Forwarding

DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking

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DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking. Image: DB Schenker
DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking. Image: DB Schenker
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Tracking technology as a sticker: DB Schenker is the first logistics provider from Europe to offer global tracking of freight shipments with the new ultra-thin tracking label by high-tech developer Sensos. The disposable label can be attached to containers, pallets, or individual cartons, enabling shipment tracking for land, air and ocean transport on a single shipment base.

David Pollender, Product Owner Business Development IoT at DB Schenker: “Tracking technology now fits into a millimeter-thin sticker. The Sensos label is so small and lightweight that it can be used for freight of any size. In conjunction with DB Schenker’s IoT solution connect2track, it offers optimal visibility and condition monitoring of consignments. This significantly improves the existing offering for our customers and makes tracking even more flexible and secure.”

Aviv Castro, CEO of Sensos: “We took on the mission to disrupt the world of supply chain by delivering infinite end-to-end parcel level visibility. Our solution enables data-driven execution, optimizing logistics for various use cases. We are grateful to have DB Schenker as a design partner from the early days, and for their contribution in achieving the product market fit.”

The label sends real-time data about location and temperature over the mobile network. The customer receives an alert if the package is tampered with during transport. The unobtrusive design of the label increases security for valuable consignments as it does not draw attention, and the tracking remains undetected.

The disposable label is equipped with a lithium-free battery that emits less CO2 in production than conventional batteries and achieves runtimes of up to six months despite its small size. Due to its low weight, the label consumes less energy during transportation, and return shipping is no longer necessary.

DB Schenker was one of the first design partners of Sensos, a group company of the Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, and contributed to the product offering. As part of this process, the global logistics service provider helped define requirements and tested the Sensos solution in a pilot phase with land and air freight prototypes.

DB Schenker’s Internet-of-Things platform connect2track enables customers to monitor a consignment’s location and condition (e.g. temperature and humidity). It offers a continuously calculated estimated time of arrival based on real-time data, increased security through opening alarms and increased efficiency through supply chain optimization.

 

DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking. Image: DB Schenker

DB Schenker uses ultra-thin high-tech labels for shipment tracking. Image: DB Schenker

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Logistics & Supply Chain

MSC rebrands Bolloré Africa Logistics as Africa Global Logistics

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MSC rebrands Bolloré Africa Logistics as Africa Global Logistics. Image: MSC
MSC rebrands Bolloré Africa Logistics as Africa Global Logistics. Image: MSC
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MSC has reinforced its continuous investment in Africa with the introduction of the AGL brand. Standing for “Africa Global Logistics”, AGL is the new name for the business formerly known as Bolloré Africa Logistics, or BAL.

Having developed its expertise over more than a century and with more than 21,000 employees working in 49 countries, AGL is a reference multimodal logistics operator and is now part of the Cargo Division of MSC Group.

AGL will continue to operate as an independent entity with the full support of family-owned MSC Group’s strength and scale. MSC will count on AGL as a preferred logistics partner, in addition to MSC’s existing MEDLOG inland transportation and logistics business.

Africa Global Logistics has a thriving logistics footprint in Africa, from warehousing and cold storage to other logistics solutions. AGL will also support MSC and all other shipping lines with productive maritime container terminals, as well as efficient multipurpose terminals and rail operations.

MSC is excited about the AGL brand reveal and will continue to invest in all its cargo businesses that operate in Africa, while supporting the sustainable growth and development of the continent.

As a global supply chain leader, MSC understands the critical role that logistics plays in enabling trade, and in growing economies. MSC and AGL remain committed to participating in driving the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as connecting Africa with the rest of the world.

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Logistics & Supply Chain

DP World opens Reefer World, a refrigerated container facility in Sydney

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DP World opens Reefer World, a refrigerated container facility in Sydney. Image: DP World
DP World opens Reefer World, a refrigerated container facility in Sydney. Image: DP World
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DP World has announced the opening of Reefer World, a new one-stop refrigerated container facility in Sydney, which will provide a wide range of reefer cleaning and repair services to customers in Australia and New Zealand.

The dedicated reefer facility is the largest of its kind in Sydney and one of the biggest in Australia, offering various reefer solutions, such as pre-trip wash, inspection and structural repairs, to enhance efficiency and ensure the quality and freshness of perishable cargo delivered to destinations around the globe.

With the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, DP World is doubling its capacity to supply empty reefers, with the ability to pre-trip and wash more than 100 reefer containers daily and capture growing demand for exports from key markets including Brisbane and Melbourne, and also in New Zealand covering Auckland and Tauranga.

Reefer World’s strategic location adjacent to the DP World Sydney Terminal provides customers not just with seamless access to end-to-end cold chain solutions, but also quicker turnaround time through coordinated container movement, cleaning, repairs, customs clearance and storage services. The mega logistics park in Port Botany is well-connected to motorways and has an on-dock rail siding improving rail access into and out of the terminal.

The announcement follows key investment and initiatives by DP World as part of its ongoing strategy to grow and strengthen its operations in Australia.

Andrew Adam, CEO, DP World Australia, said: “As businesses continue to build greater agility, reliability and resilience into their supply chains, Reefer World will help to facilitate the timely and efficient flow of perishable goods, while addressing increased export demand in the region. Its completion further expands DP World’s footprint as one of the largest container terminals and logistics park operators in Australia and cements our position as the go-to partner for customers requiring innovative, agile and scalable end-to-end logistics solutions.”

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