TRELLEBORG PRESENTS GREEN SMARTPORT CONCEPT

by & filed under Port infrastructure.

Trelleborg Marine Systems is stressing the importance of ‘hyper-collaboration’ to improve safety, efficiency and sustainability of operations for green smart ports of the future.

The global mooring specialist will discuss the technologies that are available, how they can be used in practice and how they might evolve going forward, at the upcoming Green Maritime Forum (23 to 24 April) in Hamburg, Germany. “Shipping and ports are ripe for disruption, as big data, artificial intelligence and automation force a drastic change in the business models of today,” said Tommy Mikkelsen, managing director of Trelleborg’s Marine Systems operation in Denmark.

 

“The ‘Port of the Future’ vision sees vessels, ports and hinterland transport becoming part of a connected ecosystem. This will require collaboration throughout the supply chain, which necessitates a common platform for communication and data sharing, with shared standards and processes.”

 

Working smarter

Working smarter he said is a necessity as the shipping industry faces globalisation of operators, increasing scale and utilisation of vessels and with the expectation of ever-improving efficiencies. Trelleborg has developed a technology platform called SmartPort which offers a standardised way to collect and store data and help improve operational efficiency. SmartPort aims to realise the critical interface between ship and port, on land and at sea, by helping to increase safety, reduce costs, achieve greater sustainability and increased revenue return. The Green Maritime Forum will focus on the expansion and development of green shipping related processes.

Source: GreenPort

Achieving cost effective green port transformation

by & filed under Sustainability.

How can ports identify both feasible and the most effective measures to improve their environmental and economic sustainability? Dr Johannes Schmidt and Dr Nils Kemme from HPC Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH and Dr.Lars-Peter Lauven from the University of Göttingen present their approach to achieving this goal.

 

Drivers and barriers

For the maritime industry worldwide, both energy efficiency and the use of renewables have become increasingly important topics. The reason for this is not only to meet increasing regulatory requirements and stakeholder demands, but also as a means to improve profitability; significant cost-saving and image potentials can be exploited by improving operations, adopting energy efficient technologies and using renewable energy sources.

Fostering energy sustainability to reduce energy intensity and increase the use of renewable energy sources can thus be essential for obtaining and strengthening a leadership position for ports. Despite the increasing importance of improving the energy sustainability in ports, there is currently a high level of uncertainty among ports and terminals to find the most promising measures to achieve this aim. This is mainly due to the fact that there is only limited information available about the effectiveness of energy sustainability measures in relation to associated costs and effects on operational performance. For terminal operators, however, cost-efficiency and long-term profitability are important prerequisites for the implementation of energy sustainability measures.

 

Structured approach

Filling the gap, HPC Hamburg Port Consulting GmbH has developed a structured, model-based approach to assist ports and terminals in improving both its environmental and economic sustainability. Ports can therefore pursue a so-called “green port transformation” in line with environmental, regulatory and community requirements. Based on this approach, our experts can identify, classify, evaluate and prioritise feasible measures that can be implemented either in a single terminal, or in the port as a whole, to improve the level of energy sustainability.

 

The approach to pursue a green port transformation consists of four consecutive steps. The first step is an on-site terminal inspection to compile a detailed overview of the structural equipment and infrastructure conditions on the port, collect energy consumption data and capture the operational processes in the terminal. Based on this information, our experts can already pre-select promising energy sustainability measures. To this end, a comprehensive database comprising a broad range of energy sustainability measures for all kind of terminals and port authorities is used. In the next step, a more detailed analysis is carried out to evaluate the shortlisted measures, using an Environmental Tool Box including integrated port logistics and energy simulations and life cycle assessments, as well as profitability models. Based on these tools, not only credible and accurate statements about the resulting environmental and cost-saving potentials can be made, but also financial and operational resources that may result from the implementation of a measure can be assessed. In the final step, a tailored energy sustainability roadmap is produced, providing a phased implementation timeline for the most promising measures (For example, those with a high energy and emission savings potential and relatively low efforts to implement). Ultimately, the approach is the key to fully informed decisions on favourable energy sustainability measures.

 

Environmental Tool Box

Some of HPC’s sophisticated environmental tools have been developed and evolved in collaboration with partners from industry and academia within the frame of the “SuStEnergyPort” project, which is partly funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVi) in the context of the funding programme “Innovative Port Technologies” (IHATEC). Consortium partners are Germany’s leading container terminal operator HHLA, the Swedish utility Vattenfall’s subsidiary Vattenfall Energy Trading GmbH and researchers from the University of Göttingen (Chair of Production & Logistics). The energy sustainability catalogue developed comprises more than 200 energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. All measures are clearly structured and pre-evaluated according to three criteria: Energy saving potential, emission reduction potential (air and greenhouse gas) and efforts for implementation. A measure of high energy and emissions saving potential, but also high implementation efforts are, for example, the deployment of state-of-the-art cargo handling equipment such as fully-electric AGVs.

 

Simulation tool

Enabling a highly accurate, terminal-specific assessment of energy effects and operational implications of sustainability measures, HPC’s proven terminal simulation tool HPCsim does not only model all terminal operations, but also captures the resulting energy consumption and emissions of a terminal in unrivalled level of detail.

 

Over a multi-week period, all terminal operations are realistically modelled, including terminal-specific layout, equipment, processes and cargo flows and the corresponding energy consumption and emissions continuously tracked on basis of incremental equipment movements, taking into account equipment characteristics, loaded weight, temperature, wind and other energy-relevant aspects. Even terminal lighting, buildings, workshop and other fixed consumers, as well as own energy generation and energy storage are considered.

As a result, HPCsim uniquely provides highly detailed and proven accurate simulation results on both operational terminal performance, as well energy consumption and emissions, enabling a profound assessment of energy savings and emission reductions against achieved operational performance levels.

 

To quantify the environmental consequences of energy sustainability comprehensively, the team has developed life cycle assessments models. These models allow us to analyse the environmental impact of equipment during their entire life cycle – for example, production, use and disposal phases. Several impact categories are being considered, including climate change, acidification or particulate matter. This enables a comprehensive assessment of how environmentally beneficial it would be to implement an energy sustainability measure. Life cycle assessments have shown that the use of fully-electric AGVs compared to conventional AGVs can result in a greenhouse gas emission reduction of up to 60% over the whole lifecycle. The applied Environmental Tool Box also includes profitability models to elaborate financial analyses for energy sustainability measures. The financial assessment rests on capital and operational expenditures estimates. Based on this, a cash flow analysis for each measure, considering financial performance indicators such as Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and payback period, can be provided. In a sensitivity analysis, the results can be tested against changes in cost and revenues.

 

Outcome and benefits

The need for a more sustainable energy use is especially relevant for ports, which are crucial hubs in the global trading system. Ensuring a high level of energy sustainability in ports may also help to bring about ecological, economic and technological advantages. Based on the developed and proved approach as well as the described sophisticated Environmental Tool Box, the experts can help ports and terminals to improve their level of environmental sustainability and thus pave the way for prosperous logistics service provision in line with community requirements. In addition, simulation of energy sustainability measures can support ports and terminals to ensure that increasingly strict environmental regulations can be met in the future by identifying feasible and particularly effective measures to improve the level of energy efficiency or increase the use of renewable energy in the most efficient way.

Source: GreenPort

Rotterdam to target CO2 emissions

by & filed under Environment.

The port authority said that emissions need to fall by 95% by 2050 to ensure adherence to the Paris Climate Agreement. Rotterdam’s marine transport contributes 21.5m tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year, that’s according to figures presented at the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s Energy in Transition Summit 2018. The summit revealed that marine and inland transport with Rotterdam as the destination or departure point causes CO2 emissions of about 25m tonnes annually. That means that emissions will need to fall by 95% by 2050 to ensure that the marine transport sector adheres to the Paris Climate Agreement.

 

Taking action

The port authority has asked the Netherlands’ government to create a coalition with northwest European countries so that a joint CO2 price can be brought in. At the Energy in Transition Summit 2018, Allard Castelein, the port body’s chief executive, called for a much greater price for CO2 as well as a new industrial policy for the Netherlands.

 

“A price in the range of €50 to €70 per tonne of CO2 will stimulate companies to invest in solutions that we really need in order to realise the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement,” he said. Mr.Castelein said that he did not back “a solo approach”, like the UK with its electricity production, and that as a transit country, the Netherlands was closely connected to its surrounding nations. “A northwest European coalition would guarantee a level playing field for the industry,” he commented.

 

Talking about a new national industrial policy, the chief executive said that for a government to change to a new energy system, it needed “an integral vision and a corresponding industrial policy for the new economy, the future industrial landscape and the type of research and development required to achieve that”. The Rotterdam/Moerdijk port industrial area is facing the task of decreasing CO2 by 20m tonnes a year as of 2030 — a drop of 49% in comparison with 1990 — but the Port of Rotterdam Authority believes this can be achieved as part of the Netherlands’ national Climate Agreement. Mr.Castelein noted that the body had started in plenty of time in the area and that it now had over 40 projects in its portfolio that support the energy transition.

 

The port authority is also bringing in a €5m incentive for “climate-friendly maritime shipping”, whereby vessel-owners and charterers experimenting with low or zero-carbon fuels supplied in Rotterdam will be supported. Additionally, the organisation is introducing a 100% discount for inland port charges when vessel-owners adhere to the Green Award Foundation’s Green Awards platinum certificate (by sailing on electricity or on fuel cells for at least half the time or for three hours a day) and use planning tool NextLogic (as soon as this is running).

Efficient electric port crane means fewer emissions

by & filed under Port infrastructure.

Able to handle all types of cargo including break bulk, the new LPS 420 E is equipped with two winches, each with a 190 kW electric motor for up to 30 cycles per hour, and a maximum outreach of up to 48m meaning ships with a size of up to Panamax class can be served. Liebherr explained the main components of the E-drive are liquid cooled and the heat is dissipated by heat exchangers. The fully closed liquid cooling system in combination with the heat exchanger is installed on top of the slewing platform. This means an overpressure unit is not necessary to prevent dust coming inside the machinery house, said the company.

Powerful

With a power supply ranging from 380V to 460V and a high motor speed spread, the machine requires no gear shifting between normal and heavy load. This allows for uninterruptible power transmission from maximum load to maximum speed.

Liebherr active-front-end frequency converter means deviations in the voltage supply can be compensated for safe and stable operation. A liquid cooled and highly efficient multi-drive frequency converter system was also implemented to deal with critical conditions like limited space and harsh environmental conditions. Liebherr energy storage units can be used to reduce the peak-load in the crane main power supply and to take advantage of regenerative energy within the system. The compact unit is designed to ensure a high power storage capacity, which enables the accumulation and supply of 200 kW of power within 15 seconds.

 

Source: GreenPort

Spain proposes inclusion of Huelva port in Ten-T Atlantic Corridor

by & filed under Relation with Med & Neighbouring Countries, Topics.

Huelva, Spain (PortSEurope) April 30, 2018 – Spanish public works minister Íñigo de la Serna has proposed the inclusion of Huelva in the Atlantic Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), during a meeting held with the European Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc, Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana.

The president of Autoridad Portuaria de Huelva (Huelva port authority), José Luis Ramos, expressed his satisfaction with the proposal that “responds to our aspirations to be part of the large logistic networks that drive international trade, improving its connectivity to integrate into major corridors as a core port of the Trans-European Transport Network, a priority for the European Union”. Ramos added that “the vocation of the Port of Huelva towards the import and export traffic, as generators of a great added value for its hinterland, both in employment and wealth, require a high-capacity terrestrial connectivity, as well as quality and reliability in the intermodal operations that are developed in our soil.”

The minister defended the proposal of Spain for the extension of the Atlantic and Mediterranean Corridors and the cross-border connections with France. Specifically, with the Huelva-Seville line, the government considers that the maritime connections with the Canary Islands, as well as the navigable waterway of the Guadalquivir, reinforces the competitiveness and connectivity of southern Spain.

Docks the Future at “Shaping the Port of the Future” Forum

by & filed under Project news.

DocksTheFuture took part at the European Forum “Shaping the Port of the Future | The societal, economic and management challenges” (Civitavecchia, 10th April), organized by On the MoS Way, in cooperation with The MediTelegraph and Centre-North Tyrrhenian Sea Port Authority System.

The conference, among the other themes, analyzed how the legal framework will impact in the definition and development of the  Port of the Future concept. Not only at national level, but also at European level concerning the policies about administrative simplification, environmental protection, support to technological innovation.

During the conference, the European Port Service Regulation 2017/352 was analyzed, with contributions from European institutions (DG MOVE), industry associations (ANGOPI) and private players (GNV), the border among common rules and the specific features of each port concerning the new directives for port services regulation was also analyzed.

Ship-to-shore power contract for port of GENOA

by & filed under Accessibility and Standards.

According to the DIRECTIVE 2014/94/EU of the European parliament and of the council of 22 October 2014, on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in article (20), The Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) guidelines recognise that alternative fuels serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport, contribute to its decarbonisation and enhance the environmental performance of the transport sector. The TEN-T guidelines require, with regard to new technologies and innovation, that the TEN-T is to enable the decarbonisation of all transport modes by stimulating energy efficiency as well as by introducing alternative propulsion systems and the provision of corresponding infrastructure. The TEN-T guidelines also require that inland and sea ports, airports and roads of the core network established by Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (‘TEN-T Core Network’) provide for the availability of alternative fuels. In the CEF, the TEN-T funding instrument makes the deployment on the TEN-T Core Network of those new technologies and innovation, including infrastructure for alternative clean fuels, eligible for grants. In addition, the deployment of infrastructure for alternative clean fuels on the broader comprehensive network will be able to receive financial assistance from the CEF in the form of procurement and financial instruments, such as project bonds

 

Furthermore, in article (34) of this Directive defined that Shore-side electricity facilities can serve maritime and inland waterway transport as clean power supply, in particular in maritime and inland navigation ports where air quality or noise levels are poor. Shore-side electricity can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of sea-going ships and inland waterway vessels.

 

There are several EU and national climate measures for implementation of the Paris Agreement that oblige ports to reduce the carbon footprint of their land-based activities. Meanwhile, most of European ports set goals towards decarbonisation of shipping activities by providing green services. Under the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (DIRECTIVE 2014/94/EU) , LNG bunkering facilities and On-shore Power Supply should be provided in ports of the TEN-T core network by 2025.

Along with the above policies, Genoa Port in Italy is set to benefit from a €8 million ship to shore power project to help it meet EU environmental sustainability standards.

Nidec ASI will install its innovative electrical supply system at the ports’ docks allowing berthed vessels to plug in and reduce emissions and noise pollution at the quayside. “For us this project is a major milestone in the reduction of the environmental impact of port activities, a central theme for promoting a sustainable development model in a country like Italy,” said Kaila Haines, marketing and PR director of Nidec ASI. “The transformation of these ports with a view to achieving greater safety and savings on energy may also contribute to attracting more cruise vessels and this would have a positive impact on trade and tourism.”

 

Forward thinking

The scope of supply includes two 6 MVA static frequency converters which, with the overloads required, can reach up to 12 MVA, as well as switchboards and LV/MV transformers, connecting cables for the various devices and any accessory components. In the long term, Nidec will also supervise the civil engineering works, assembling, commissioning and any technical support required for the project for the next ten years. The company has already completed a similar project for Livorno, where it supplied a variable frequency drive unit for cruise vessels docked in the port. Nidec ASI offers customised electrical solutions for a wide range of industrial applications including the renewable energy, steel, naval and industrial automation markets.

 

Docks the Future staff

Ports of LA, Long Beach to Fund Clean Air Technologies

by & filed under Digitalization.

The US ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are offering new funding in an effort to boost the development of goods-movement technologies that improve air quality. This year’s 2018 call for projects requests concept papers for a variety of projects that have the potential to reduce emissions, including diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and greenhouse gases. Projects for vessels, trucks, trains, terminal equipment and harbor craft that warrant further consideration would be invited later to submit a full proposal, the ports said, adding that concept papers are due on May 22.

Since 2007, the ports distributed over USD 21 million in funds to advance the commercial availability of technology that will help lower health risks posed by air pollution from ships, trucks, harbor craft, cargo handling equipment and rail locomotives. The funding is a part of the ports’ Technology Advancement Program (TAP), which was created by the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), adopted in 2006. The CAAP was updated last November, calling for even more aggressive strategies to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases and to ultimately transition to zero emissions operations over the next 20 years.

Compared to 2005 levels, port-related air pollution emissions in San Pedro Bay dropped 87 percent for diesel particulate matter, 56 percent for nitrogen oxides, and 97 percent for sulfur oxides. Targets for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) from port-related sources were introduced as part of the 2017 CAAP Update. The document calls for the ports to reduce GHGs 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Source: WorldMaritimeNews

European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) priorities for ports

by & filed under Environment.

Since 1996, the European port sector has been monitoring, through the EcoPorts network, the main environmental concerns of port authorities in Europe, writes Isabelle Ryckbost, secretary general, ESPO. Port authorities can take their choice out of a list of 34 environmental issues they would like to focus on. It is important to let them pick their own top 10 most important environmental priorities because it is clear that ports will primarily address and work on issues they consider as a concern. Since this exercise has been repeated several times, it is interesting to see which issues went down in the ranking and which are the newcomers over the years.

 

The latest Top 10 which we issued in November 2017 shows that air quality has been leading the list as shown in the following photo. This does not come as a surprise given the fact that air quality has been on top of the EU political agenda for years. There is a sense of urgency now that people around the ports are enjoying the benefits from the implementation of low sulphur areas (SECAS) put in place in 2015 and now the time path for the global sulphur cap on marine fuels has been confirmed. The introduction of the new NECA’s which will also oblige new vessels operating in these areas to comply with lower NOx emissions standards as from 2021 is another reason. Air quality is important if one knows that more than 90% of European ports are located in or very close to an urban area. Any reductions have a direct impact on the public health and quality of life of many people living around the port.

Energy consumption

In recent years, one of the significant changes in the priority ranking of the European ports is for energy consumption . Energy consumption is the second biggest priority for European ports since 2016. As shown in the below table, it only entered in the top 10 in 2009 but has gained in importance since then.  One of the main reasons here is the link between carbon footprint and climate change that has become an important driver of environmental policy at ports over recent years. That also explains why “Climate change” – which covers energy efficiency, GHG emission reduction and adaptation – is entering the top 10 as the first and only newcomer since 2013. The Paris Agreement has really been a milestone. Ports are increasingly developing initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of the port and their stakeholders. These initiatives range from monitoring tools to investments in renewables and carbon-free energy, the development of strategies to decarbonise the industry in the port or even more difficult decisions to give up certain activities. For example, the Port of Amsterdam has decided to become coal-free by 2030.

Source: Produced by Author,  from the statistics and annual reports of ESPO

 This has led 57% of the European ports to develop energy efficiency programmes. However, this percentage will likely increase, considering the focus that the EC on efficiently addressing port externalities as highlighted in the European Ports Policy.  Furthermore, the International standard ISO 50001 paving the way towards efficient port energy management. According to the ISO organization and European standards, ports are starting to develop Energy Management Plans (EnMPs), either at a port authority or at a terminal operator level, as part of their overall “green” port policy, according to the article from Boile.M, Theofanis.s, Sdoukopoulos.E, Plytas.N, 2015.

Noise, water and waste

Noise, number three on the Top 10, remains an important concern for many European ports. It is often also a driver for differentiated port charging. In view of mitigating the noise pollution from vessels, different ports are rewarding the use of onshore power supply at berth. This is certainly the case for important cruise ports where the ships are berthing near built-up areas.

Water quality and also dredging seems to be more and more a priority for European ports. Different ports are situated in sensitive areas and look for innovative ways to use the dredging sediments. For example, the Port of Dublin has invested almost €2 million in buoys to monitor the impact of dredging on the marine environment.

Relegation

Managing the waste caused by port activity or generated in the port (priority number six) has apparently become less challenging as it has moved down the current list of priorities. It was the number one top priority in 2004. Ship-generated waste only occupies the ninth place in the latest top 10. Ports seem to have their ship waste reception schemes under control. It remains to be seen what will happen with this priority once the current EU framework is reviewed. It’s clear that each port in Europe has its environmental agenda. It often mirrors the geographical situation, the activities of the port, its management and governance model, but having this top 10 enables us to better communicate sector concerns and serves as an important indicator for an organisation like ESPO to prioritise its work. Finally, it can also guide those ports who may need to keep their finger on the pulse more.

Source: GreenPort

Author:  R. Karimpour

CO-FRIENDLY HULL CLEANING AT SOUTHAMPTON

by & filed under Bridging R&D and implementation.

A trial of eco-friendly hull cleaning technology is underway at the Port of Southampton to help ship owners maintain efficiency, minimise emissions and responsibly dispose of the waste matter.

 

Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) HullWiper uses adjustable seawater jets to remove fouling from ships’ hulls for optimal performance and energy efficiency saving. It collects removed residues and harmful materials in a special onboard waste filter. Waste is then disposed of in an ecologically-approved manner on land in compliance with local and regional environmental regulations. The filter also reduces the risk of cross-pollination of waters with alien species.

 

Captain Martin Phipps, head of marine projects for ABP, said: “Hull cleaning initiatives provide the opportunity to remove biofouling and non-native species from the water column, whilst enhancing the efficiency of a vessel through the water, improving fuel economy and importantly reducing emissions and costs.”

 

Minimal disruption

As the ROV doesn’t use brushes, the risk of damage to expensive anti-fouling coatings and need for recoating is minimised. As no divers are used, there is no risk to human life and cleaning can be conducted day or night, in most weather conditions, whilst cargo operations are underway. Launched in Dubai in December 2013, HullWiper now operates in ports in Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and – on an ad hoc basis – in the Middle East.

The trial includes testing on vessels including cruise liners, Ro-Ro ships, container ships and general cargo carriers.

Source: GreenPort