Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced the acquisition of approval in principle for a liquefied CO2 carrier from ship classification societies Det Norsk Veritas AS and the American Bureau of Shipping. In addition, ABS issued an AiP for a floating storage and offloading unit. Both the carrier and the FSO were jointly developed by MOL, Malaysian state oil company Petroliam Nasional Berhad, and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute.
The presentation ceremony took place on June 26 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the venue of Energy Asia, an international conference to promote sustainable development of the energy industry aimed at achieving net zero emissions in Asia.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2022, MOL and PETRONAS have jointly studied the optimum means of ocean transport for LCO2 within the Asia Pacific and Oceania region and, in cooperation with SDARI, completed the concept study of LCO2 carriers and FSO. An FSO is a floating facility that can receive, store, and offload cargo offshore, and LCO2 FSOs are considered one of the most effective scenarios in the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) market. Completion of these concept designs and acquisition of AiPs clears the way toward a flexible approach to transport needs in consideration of volume, transport distance, and direct transport to FSOs near offshore storage facilities.
MOL Senior Managing Executive Officer Nobuo Shiotsu said, “MOL is pleased with our achievement of the various designs of the LCO2 carrier and FSO in cooperation with PETRONAS and SDARI. Development on a large scale is an essential step for the CCUS value chain within the Asia Pacific and Oceania region. Through the newly acquired AiP, the MOL Group will further accelerate this initiative on the CO2 transport business to contribute to reducing society’s overall GHG emissions.”
Upstream PETRONAS Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Adif Zulkifli said, “LCO2 carriers for CO2 transportation play a key role in the carbon capture and storage value chain. The acquisition of the AiPs further strengthens PETRONAS’ commitment in offering decarbonization solutions, aligned with our aspiration in establishing Malaysia as a leading CCS hub in the region.”
“SDARI is delighted to join the innovative project with PETRONAS and MOL. The concepts will be essential to LCO2 transportation and operation, and will boost CCUS development in the maritime industry. The acquisition of the AiPs is the new start and SDARI will continuously provide more and more innovative solutions to partners for the ambitious decarbonization plan.” said SDARI Vice President Zhou Zhiyong.
MOL will further collaborate with PETRONAS through the newly acquired AiPs and will continue its efforts to develop various technologies including LCO2 carriers and FSOs, and build a diverse CCUS value chain, contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.
The MOL Group Vision is to develop various social infrastructure businesses centered on marine transport and to meet the changing needs of society, including environmental conservation, through the evolution of technology and services. This is an initiative in line with not only the MOL Group Vision, but also the expansion of offshore and non-shipping businesses set forth in the “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan and the “Expand low-carbon/decarbonized business by leveraging the group’s collective strengths,” which is one of the actions set out in the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” With these contributions for the sustainable development of society and the preservation of nature, the MOL Group sustains and ensures a prosperous future from the blue oceans.
Outline of LCO2 carriers and FSO
Size
Concept
Classification Society
(1)
87,000m3 LCO2 carrier
Long haul transportation
DNV
(2)
14,000m3 LCO2 carrier
Short haul transportation
DNV
(3)
87,000m3 LCO2 carrier installed Dynamic Positioning System
Wan Hai Lines establishes its new office in India. Image: Unsplash
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Aiming to further enhance service quality and gain a stronger foothold in the Indian sub-continent, Wan Hai Lines has established its India new office in Kolkata in July 2023. Contact details for the new office are as follows: WAN HAI LINES (INDIA) PVT. LTD 3rd Floor, Block C, Apeejay House, 15 Park Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700016 TEL: 91-33-4450 4500 According to the 2023 Foreign Trade Policy announced by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India’s export trade volume will reach 2 trillion US dollars in 2030.
Therefore, benefiting from government policy incentives and the shifting trend of the global supply chain, India’s status in global manufacturing and international trade is increasing, which is conducive to maintaining long-term high economic growth. And the proportion of global exports has increased significantly. In addition, the continuous economic stimulus policy will help revitalize the domestic economy, and domestic demand is expected to increase significantly. Therefore, Wan Hai is optimistic about India’s future import and export situation. And also through the establishment of a new office to improve the overall operating efficiency.
Wan Hai India Kolkata office held a grand opening reception in the evening of 27th July. During the banquet, there were many important customers & guests. The Kolkata Port Authority, Kolkata terminal operators, feeder operators and important local customers were invited to send representatives to attend the meeting to express their blessings to Wan Hai’s opening of the Kolkata market. At present, Wan Hai has six owned offices in India, namely Mumbai, Chennai, Mundra, and Vizag, Delhi and the sixth office Kolkata office. In addition to directly providing river port services, it will also simultaneously strengthen service links between India and neighboring countries, such as Nepal and Bhutan. It is expected to pursue customer first through continuous expansion in the future and sustainable business philosophy.
World's Largest Container Ship, MSC MICHEL CAPPELLINI. Image: MSC
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More than 800 guests gathered in a custom-made tent at the MSC Gate Terminal in Bremerhaven to witness the naming ceremony of the latest edition to Mediterranean Shipping Company’s fleet, MSC MICHEL CAPPELLINI, with the ship as the backdrop. Prior to the naming ceremony, MSC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Free and Hanseatic Cities of Bremen and Hamburg and their ports, agreeing on the use of shore power for MSC’s vessels in both ports.
MSC MICHEL CAPPELLINI is one of the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient container ships by design. At 400 metres in length and with a 61.5 metre beam, it has a capacity of up to 24,346 TEUs. Despite her magnificent size, her design and technical specifications enable the shipment of more cargo at the lowest carbon footprint per container carried.
The vessel employs a small bulbous bow, large diameter propellers and energy-saving ducts, which will help to further reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
MSC MICHEL CAPPELLINI and her sister ships are also built with an air lubrication system to reduce drag on the hull, as well as shaft generators to yield additional power.
In his welcome speech, MSC CEO Soren Toft highlighted the importance of Bremerhaven to MSC as a European cargo hub: “The ports in Bremen are such an important cargo hub for us in Germany and in Northwest Europe. It is truly a strategic location for MSC, and home to over 370 of our colleagues. However, our connection with Germany goes deeper than trade. This is the third naming ceremony of an MSC vessel since 2015, and the second in Bremerhaven. It is therefore by no surprise that we continue to grow with our customers in Germany.”
Soren continued: “Efficiency and innovation are two drivers that led to the development of the MSC MICHEL CAPPELLINI. Through innovation we seek to shift the boundaries of what is possible and surpass our own industry-breaking milestones, a process of continuous evolution. Both, as a family company and as the leader of our industry, we are very mindful of MSC’s key role in decarbonizing the logistics value chain, and the benchmark we set for others in our industry.”
MSC Germany Managing Director Nils Kahn also highlighted the importance of the ports of Bremen as an MSC location: “We handle more than 1 Mio TEU per year here and run dedicated trains to and from many domestic locations. We are connecting the world from exactly this location with a weekly service to the Eastern Mediterranean, two weekly services to the Far East, three weekly services to South America and Mexico and an impressive five weekly services to North America.”
The ship’s blessing was conducted by Provost Dr. Bernhard Stecker, who has led the Catholic Community Association Bremen since 2019 and is the head of the Catholic Office in Bremen, the liaison office of the Catholic Church to the Bremen Senate and the Bremen Parliament in the state. After the blessing, Godmother Cindy-Jo Cappellini performed the christening of the ship by cutting the ribbon and smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull.
Yellow confetti streamed down, the ship’s horns sounded and MSC MICHEL CAPPELLINI can now travel the world’s oceans.
Memorandum of Understanding on Shore Power Infrastructure
Shortly before the naming ceremony started, Kai Stuehrenberg, State Secretary for Economic Affairs of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and MSC CEO Soren Toft met for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing on the use of shore power for MSC container vessels in both ports.
Soren Toft said: “I am particularly proud that we signed a Memorandum of Understanding between MSC, the Free and Hanseatic Cities of Bremen and Hamburg, and their port administrations, to partner and collaborate on the implementation of shore power taking us one step closer to ensuring a decarbonized supply chain for global trade.”
MSC Germany Managing Director Nils Kahn also called on German authorities in Berlin to ensure closer collaboration between German ports on the topic of infrastructure development, citing the MoU signed between MSC and the port authorities as an example of what private-public partnership means for MSC.
Additional speeches were given by Kai Stuehrenberg, State Secretary for Economic Affairs of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.
The Naming Ceremony
The ceremony was a celebration, highlighting MSC’s commitment to sustainability, sports and the arts. It was moderated by German TV presenter, Jule Gölsdorf. She introduced Boris Herrmann, Germany’s leading yachtsman, world record holder and skipper of sailing team Team Malizia. Boris Herrmann shared his experience from the recent Ocean Race. MSC is a sponsor of Team Malizia and one of the six Official Founding Partners. In front of the 800-guest crowd Boris expressed his gratitude for MSC’s sponsorship and dedication to net zero commitments.
Guests included representatives of local authorities and businesses, customers and journalists. They enjoyed a spectacular performance by Andrea Casta, the famous Italian crossover electric violinist, and Sarah Voss, Germany’s artistic gymnast, all-around national champion and bronze medal winner in the team competition at the 2022 European Championships. The live music and the acrobatic gymnastic performance expressed the very concept of balance between progress and sustainability, humans and nature, present and past.
MSC CEO Soren Toft concluded: “Global trade is crucial for maintaining peace, economic development and growth, and we are serving as a neutral force in the face of the political and diplomatic adversity we see today. Our new 24,000 TEUs-class ships, some of the world’s largest currently on the water, are essential for facilitating and enabling effective global trade. Ultimately connecting cultures, people and continents.“
ONE announces FLX, a new service for South American reefer shipments. Image: ONE
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Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. announces FLX, a new service connecting the West Coast of South America to the East Coast of North America. The service is set to launch in September 2023. With an emphasis on innovative and efficient transportation solutions, FLX caters to customers looking for reliable South American reefer container shipments.
Flavorful South American Delights Reach New Shores
Many Latin American fruits, vegetables and seafood, such as mangoes, asparagus, shrimp, have been gaining popularity worldwide. As a result, Latin American reefer container transportation has seen a remarkable growth, nearly doubling over the past few years.
Strengthening Our Commitment to South America and Reefer Services
With our reefer services, we have established ourselves as a significant player on the Latin America-Asia route, for which we have earned praise from our customers over the years. To further improve the quality of our transportation services, we are redoubling our efforts by investing in state-of-the-art equipment, including Control Atmosphere (CA) containers and telematics devices.
Unveiling FLX: Expanding New Horizons for Shipments
FLX provides exclusive service, connecting the South America West Coast to the North America East Coast (Florida) with our own dedicated fleet of vessels. The service aims to offer fresh options to our valued customers, including those previously engaged in Asia-bound shipments, while expanding shipping possibilities and streamlining supply chain processes. FLX will launch in September 2023 in preparation for the harvest and shipping season.
Service Details
The FLX service will deploy four vessels in order to ensure schedule stability. This service will connect Callao and Paita (Peru), and Guayaquil (Ecuador) to South Florida with one of the fastest transit times on the market. With excellent options for the transportation of refrigerated cargo, the direct routes include Callao-South Florida in 11 days, Paita-South Florida in 9 days, and Guayaquil-South Florida in 8 days.
Furthermore, FLX provides a direct connection from South Florida to Honduras, in addition to destinations in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. With hub ports like Cartagena (Colombia) and Callao (Peru), ONE services can be seamlessly connected with other services to/from the United States, East Coast South America, Europe, Caribbean and Asia.
Chilean exporters can also conveniently connect their cargoes via Callao, adding to the route’s accessibility. In summary, the FLX route offers multiple connection options:
Callao – Paita – Guayaquil – Cartagena – South Florida – Puerto Cortés – Cartagena – Callao.
Yu Kurimoto, Managing Director of ONE said, “We aim to share South America’s distinctive flavors with people across the globe. With our FLX and LUX services, we are excited to open new doors for businesses and individuals, enabling them to enjoy the authentic tastes of this vibrant region.”
