Maritime

Trains optimise logistics activity at Valenciaport

Published

7 months ago

August 19, 2022

Port Authority of Valencia

Trains optimise logistics activity at Valenciaport. Image: Port Authority of Valencia

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The railway is becoming more and more important in the Port of Valencia. During the first half of the year, more than 2,100 trains have entered or left Valenciaport’s port facilities to optimise logistics activity and provide a better service to customers based on economic and environmental efficiency. A weekly average of more than 83 trains compared to an average of 77 for the same period in 2021, which reinforces the commitment of the Port Authority of Valencia to the synergy between maritime and rail traffic.

Every week there are more trains, longer, with more wagons and carrying more goods and containers. This can be seen from the APV data for January-June 2022. In total, the number of trains was 2,168, with a total of 41,208 wagons, 8% more than in the same period. The average length of the trains was 493 metres, up 20%, and the total number of TEUs reached 108,236, an increase of 5% compared to the first half of 2021. This also reflects an increase in the share of containers moved by rail from 7.8% in 2021 to 8.11% in 2022.

The president of the APV, Aurelio Martínez, stressed that “the investment effort that Valenciaport has been making in recent years, with more than 240 million euros, is paying off. The railway is a key element in the movement structure of the Port of Valencia, as the data show. Our aim is to keep on increasing this traffic share, betting on the train, long-distance lines and the improvement of the infrastructures of our inland network”.

So far this year, the increase in rail traffic has experienced in some weeks increases of more than 20% and 40%, especially in the last weeks of July where it has gone from 65 trains in 2021 to 85 this year.

In total, 1,043,297 tonnes have been handled in this first half of the year, 6% more than in the same period last year. Of these goods with destination/origin Valenciaport, 7 out of 10 are from Madrid, a key place that will be reinforced with the rail motorway that will link the Port of Valencia with Madrid.

Commitment to intermodality

The APV’s objective for the coming years is to continue to increase the use of the train in freight traffic arriving and departing from Valenciaport, hence the importance of undertaking the necessary actions to adapt rail accessibility. Thus, the APV is making investments to take advantage of the synergy between maritime and rail transport in order to promote competitiveness and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Specifically, for the coming years, investments of around 240 million euros are planned to promote accessibility and improve Valenciaport’s rail network. These actions are aimed at the remodelling of the railway network in the Port of Valencia, the electrification of tracks, the adaptation of the network to the European gauge, the railway access to the Port of Sagunto or the improvement of the Valencia-Teruel-Zaragoza line, among others.

Thus, for example, the APV is committed to key infrastructures such as the Cantabrian-Mediterranean Corridor, which is fundamental to favour the work of exporting companies in Aragon, but also to bring the markets of Navarre, La Rioja and the Basque Country closer to the Port of Valencia. The APV is also working, together with ADIF, to promote the first rail motorway linking the port area with Madrid.

Commitment of the shipping companies

The efforts and commitment of the companies operating in Valenciaport should also be highlighted. In this sense, MSC started up a rail service dedicated exclusively to reefer transport between Valencia and Zaragoza. For its part, the French shipping company CMA CGM has a new rail service between Valencia and Zaragoza. CSP Iberian Rail has also added a new link with Lisbon/Leixões, the first to cross the peninsula from coast to coast, furthering its strategy of becoming a global intermodal logistics operator. To this must be added the services it offers with Madrid, Zaragoza and Vitoria. In fact, around ten different railway companies operate in the Valencian area, linking up with the main corridors in Spain: Central, Mediterranean and Cantabrian.

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Wartsila to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems

Published

11 hours ago

March 31, 2023

Wartsila

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

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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

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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

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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.