Challenges of maritime transport in 2022

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For this year, the maritime sector is expected to face great challenges and, there are currently many determining issues on the table.

In the first place, the most talked-about issue refers to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Since the maritime industry is constantly researching and developing new fuels based on methanol, hydrogen, or ammonia and that can help the sector to meet its goal to reach zero emissions by 2050.

But, a very urgent issue is the digital transformation of the maritime sector and that must cover all areas: ships, shipping companies, terminals, ports, interfaces, and everything that can interfere with the transport chain.

On this particular point, we can assess some of the challenges the industry is currently facing and how it could minimize the crisis.

Today and as a result of 2 years of the pandemic, the supply chain is at risk and has revealed a very explicit motto “No shipping, no shopping” referring to the fact that if there are no ships transporting cargo, there is no trade and as consequently there will be no consumption.

 All this is a way to draw attention to the precarious life in the sea that is not consistent with the technological alternatives already used worldwide.

Interconnection, transparency in management, and new communications technologies can mark a before and after in the industry since the implementation of new cutting-edge tools facilitates the correct planning and execution in each step of the process and also offers advantages in terms of the economic recovery of the maritime sector.

To achieve these advances, software such as the AIMS Suite belonging to the GP Nauticals company can be implemented, which through different technologies can help not only in the automation of processes with its NAUTIC AIMS product, which allows all maritime services subject to taxable calculations. In addition to helping to manage contracts, concessions, commissions, providing the opportunity to involve billing, generation of reports and analysis of results, categorized as needed and always in real-time.

This type of software can be used by itself integrating with existing platforms or in conjunction with other AIMS Suite products that offer a more complete experience such as PAY AIMS which offers the opportunity to carry out a portfolio collection with a billing platform and gateway. reliable payment system with record history and 24/7 support.

The revolution in the maritime sector is just around the corner, all the factors involved cry out for more efficient processes, taking into account that trade is a key factor in all the economies of the world, we have committed ourselves to not being an industry that lags behind the rest.

If you want to know more about our products, click on:

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Port modernization opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

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The ports of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) represent a great opportunity for modernization. Since so far very few countries in the region have taken advantage of the new technological tools that allow a digital transformation to achieve more efficient ports and thus actively compete in world trade.

The implementation of advanced port systems, and interconnection offer enormous advantages that would allow them to reduce manual tasks to a minimum and thus the margin of error without the need to make million-dollar investments. In administrative and financial matters, we at GP NAUTICALS make available, mainly our NAUTIC AIMS AND PAY AIMS products, which in turn can be expanded in functionality in conjunction with any other system of our AIMS SUITE.

How does a port currently work, and what benefits would digitization bring?

The first thing we should know is that a series of private and public agents interact in a port, providing services related to port traffic. These operators create a port community and represent in itself a particular unit or company with common interests such as “maritime, land or air transport” depending on the location of the port.

Imagine that each unit or company must make separate notifications to each of the other units that make up this community, it is a cumbersome task. Or simply that they need to carry out management reports or analyzes and must collect data from each of the participating companies, it seems like an impossible mission. But so far this is the reality.

The low investment in the sector and the lack of R&I=D aimed at creating solutions focused on the industry have turned the port system into an enormous opportunity for those technology companies willing to take the first step because if we are sure of one thing, it is that the last two years have taught us that digitization, automation, and interconnection take on a different meaning in the face of a global pandemic.

One of the main ways to achieve efficiency in ports, without the need to incur a millionaire investment, is by adopting a Port Community System or as it is known by its acronym in English PCS. These platforms would allow all those involved to carry out an exchange of secure information, manage and automate logistics processes and thus optimize time and save money in the long run.

Nautic AIMS with PAY AIMS, is a participant in this initiative because it creates a space where all the operators involved in a port can generate a report on their services and/or activities in a transparent manner and in a very short time. Be evaluated, reviewed, and approved between the parts to give way to the billing and collection process, thus achieving the optimization of financial processes and the economic flow that each operator wishes for the optimal functioning of its operations and the highest profitability of its businesses.

PCS in Latin America and the Caribbean

Only a few countries in the region, such as Chile, Jamaica, Panama, and Brazil, are moving towards digital transformation with the implementation of port systems that allow interoperability, migration to the cloud, process automation, and many other services. At the moment it is known that the IDB is supporting through loans for the design and implementation of Port Community Systems solutions for Latin America and the Caribbean, especially for countries such as Argentina, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, for which increasingly open up the possibilities of investment in the sector.

If you want to know how to manage and centralize your port and maritime services more efficiently, we recommend you visit https://gpnauticals.com/products/nautic-aims/ and its component for managing payments and issuing invoices and innovating in the sector knows https://gpnauticals.com/products/pay-aims/, products belonging to GP Nauticals that seek to convert the port industry into a collaborative, efficient and transparent community. If you want to have more details you can enter the web www.gpnauticals.com and fill out the form so that you can be contacted by a specialist.

 

Puerto Felixstowe invests in machinery

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The initiative for the improvement of environmental conditions is an issue on which everyone is debating, and many organizations come together to implement the best strategies to combat pollution.

That’s why port of Felixstowe, which announced the investment of new equipment to decarbonize its operations.

The company Hutchison Ports and owners of the Port of Felixstowe have invested in: “48 battery terminal tractors and 17 electric gantry cranes with remote-controlled rubber tires (ReARTG) of zero-emissions”, according to the Container News website.

Projections with the new machinery are that 6,662 tons of CO2, and 59.38 tons of NOx can be saved annually. Says, Chris Lewis.

Additionally, Lewis also noted that “These latest acquisitions will help drive further substantial reductions in the future, and will help us achieve our goal of an additional 20% reduction over the next 5 years.”

A new infrastructure

Likewise, to carry out the machinery replacement project, Felixstowe needs an infrastructure that can support the new equipment. Therefore, “its high voltage (HV) electric power distribution network will be updated and new electrical infrastructure to support the ReARTGs and 10 charging stations for the battery-powered terminal tractors ”.

They are working to counteract the consequences that the impact of CO2 can have on the environment in a few years.

Notably, Felixstowe is located in Glasgow and is the UK’s largest port and the eighth busiest port.

 

For more information, read the full note at Container News.

 

Thailand plans to open a national shipping company

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Thailand plans to open a national shipping company, to minimize dependence on foreign vessels. The announcement of this new plan was made by the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, adding that another objective is to encourage commercial exchange in Thailand.

Although it is still in the study phase, Saksayam Chidchob, Thailand’s Transport Minister, said that the Thai port authorities have already received instruction to assess the viability of a shipping line during the next month.

If feasible, the national shipping company would have three independent branches, the first for cargo movement in the Asian region, the second for cabotage, and the last for exchange with other regions worldwide.

Subsequently, once the feasibility tests have been carried out by the competent authorities, they may be presented to the cabinet during the first months of 2022.

If the procedure is positive, the creation of a national shipping company in Thailand would begin in the middle of the year.

As mentioned in previous lines, it is not only about the independence of foreign ships, but also about promoting maritime trade in Thailand.

In this way, strengthening logistics ties with the Thai Gulf and the Andaman Sea is part of the plans to expand and strengthen connections.

Read the full note at Portal Portuario.

 

 

 

Rolls Royce’s new marine automation portfolio

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Rolls Royce presented its new marine automation portfolio called MTU NautLQ the last September 14. The new range of products is made for ship control systems and platform management for all types of ultra-modern vessels. As well as older ones, thus allowing the collection and analysis of both own and third-party data with great efficiency and reducing the risks of obsolescence.

The creation of the new Rolls Royce product portfolio is part of the Power Systems business unit that seeks to provide efficiency. Forward-looking integrated state-of-the-art automation solutions that will contribute to developing more sustainable vessels, minimizing fuel consumption and emissions of CO2.

All the products of the MTU NautLQ family have been developed with the last technologies’ software. That allows easy integration and updating, facilitating the optimal operation of the equipment, and that can be included in both commercial, naval, and recreational boats.

With this type of innovative solution, Rolls Royce seeks to integrate all vessel systems, turning them into a single intelligent global system. Offering data for predictive maintenance, and helping the crew onboard to operate with maximum efficiency, reducing the chances that some component fails.

These innovations have been developed thanks to the collaboration of Rolls Royce Power Systems and Sea machines Robotics, which will continue to work in alliance to develop cutting-edge technology that analyzes all the data of the ships and intelligently controls the information.

Source: 

https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/2021/14-09-2021-world-premiere-for-rolls-royces-mtu-nautiq-marine-automation-portfolio-at-dsei.aspx 

 

The first autonomous ships are ready to set sail

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After many tests of autonomous navigation, the first ships without crew members are ready to set sail and begin to serve next October.

This type of autonomous vessel has been developed mainly for the transport of river, and coastal cargo and according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) it has been working continuously since 2017 to guarantee that this type of vessel has a safe operation. Through constant evaluation of the various electronic devices that make autonomy a reality, such as in the implementation of international regulations, autonomous ships are a reality that is not only limited to their innovation since ports must also be prepared to meet this type of boat.

At the moment, the pioneering countries in this matter are China, Norway, and Japan, focusing their development on autonomous maritime surface ships (MASS), considering that an autonomous ship is a ship that can navigate without depending on human interaction. However, there are 4 types of autonomy for these boats: The first refers to those that have a crew, but their navigation system has automated processes that help in decision-making. Second, are ships that have seafarers on board, but the vessel is remotely controlled. Third, are those ships that are remotely controlled and have no crew on board. While the last type of ship is those 100% autonomous, capable of making decisions and determining actions by itself.

Whatever the degree of autonomy of these vessels, they must all be equipped to a lesser or greater extent with various technological tools such as: the internet, GPS, big data, artificial intelligence, IOT, sensors, robotics, and different software and hardware that will not only allow the navigation but its constant development.

It should be noted that this type of innovation will have a direct impact on the workforce of seafarers since although the ships will not have a crew on board, this type of development will always generate new jobs, only that they will be different, they will imply less physical strength and greater technological skills, but we will see the direction it takes as these changes become irreversible.

 

The Panama Canal turns 107 years old

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The Panama Canal turns 107 years old. This route is the commercial transit road through which more than 1.1 million vessels have passed that worldwide has served as a transit before making landfall at their destination.

Last August 15 was the 107th birthday of the Panama Canal, which since 1914 has served as a port transit for ships. It is a recognized route because it helps reduce distances, costs, and time in the transportation of goods.

At the same time, the Panama Canal has been a response to the economic empowerment of Panama, being a sustainable organization in the face of current conditions.

The environmentally friendly Panama Canal…

“The world is demanding that companies offer services and products that have a low carbon footprint, so we are going to make investments to adapt to that reality, in line with our environmental tradition,” says Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, administrator of the Panama Canal

In 2030 it is expected to be a carbon-neutral organization, strengthening its commitment to the environment.

At the same time, the organization ensures that the route has helped to minimize CO2  by more than 830 million tons. This is because ships save fuel by passing through a shorter route and moving a greater amount of cargo volume.

 Without a doubt, its large-scale growth has managed to last over time and promises to continue to be a profitable and sustainable route for the millions of ships that transit the sea.

Read the complete note in Mundo Marítimo.

Spain seeks to become a leader in maritime transport in Europe

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Spain seeks to implement a wide variety of technological tools to boost competitiveness in the Spanish port system, and thus become the leader in maritime transport within Europe.

In the report published by the Ports Commission of the Chamber of Spain, entitled “Measures to promote the competitiveness of the Spanish port system”, all the measures to be implemented are detailed and are grouped into 5 categories such as: governance, management of border control ports, intermodality, digitization, and training, which will be renewed thanks to technological advances.

Among the technologies that they will implement at the port, digitization level is 5G sensorization, automation, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, IoT, and distributed ledger technology such as Blockchain.

The purpose of these measures is to take advantage of an industry that is underdeveloped in terms of innovation and digitization and thus transform Spanish ports into a 4.0 model, which are intelligent, interoperable, and transparent.

There are currently 3 Spanish ports (Valencia, Algeciras, and Barcelona) that are in the top 30 of the world ranking of ports thanks to the influx of merchandise, so this type of measure seeks to promote logistics and port development, which will help Spain to become a leader in the maritime sector in Europe.