Digital acceleration in the port sector

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The shipping sector has been characterized by being very traditional and not very adventurous when it comes to implementing new solutions that imply drastic changes in its behavior. However, the port industry has grown in the last 3 months than in the last 3 years, and all due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Currently, it has been possible to evidence a striking trend for the implementation of digital tools and platforms aimed at the digital transformation of ports and shipping companies. This without leaving aside those aimed at cybersecurity that today has become a primary concern for any sector.

The technological implementation in the port sector is considered the second major transformation of the industry after the creation of containers, taking as one of the main contributions the digitization and automation of processes. The implementation of software that performs merchandise traceability and the interconnection of ports are just some of the improvements that the sector has received, and can only provide greater visibility and confidence in the port industry.

However, the change in the sector is not only limited to technological tools. There is also hard work together to encourage ecological work practices such as the development of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of maritime transport that can offer greater sustainability to the industry.

These are great advances for an industry that has always been considered extremely conservative. However, the need to face a situation like the pandemic has provided numerous opportunities for startups and venture capital companies to enter an industry that generates billions of dollars a year.

 

The cruise industry after the pandemic

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Before the health emergency generated by Covid-19, was decreed the cruise tourism industry was one of the most prosperous since it offered a very wide range of options, that are adapted to the needs and tastes of each traveler.

However, after the unfortunate events at the beginning of the pandemic, when the cruise ships presented hundreds of infected passengers and deaths. Some vessels were left adrift full of travelers and crew, being seriously affected by the ban on docking in ports in many countries.

For this reason, the industry has spent months developing and implementing various safety plans in the health field that will allow them to reactivate their operations without putting passengers, crew, and receiving countries or ports at risk. Here we bring you some of the measures that will be imposed from the summer of 2021, which is when the activation of some cruise lines is expected.

Limitations on the capacity of the ship: Although we are talking about boats that mobilize thousands of people for long periods, this decision can help in multiple ways since a more specific control can be carried out in PCR-type tests. While the theaters will take their places. Keeping two places of the distance between people and will leave many free cabins destined for isolation in case there is someone infected or suspicious.

Testing before, during, and after the cruise: the crew personnel must carry out tests some time in advance of the departure date and will be quarantined until the start of the cruise. While passengers will have to undergo tests before boarding and some random ones during the trip to make sure that they are not infected. Additionally, the cruise lines have enabled improved medical services with an ICU area and specialized medical personnel where they will receive free car

Food distribution: For now, buffets are forbidden while the security protocols last, the service of food and beverages in bars and restaurants will be served at the table, where they will also include mobile technology to avoid direct contact with passengers.

Bubble Trip: This new concept prevents both passengers and crew from having contact with any other person who is not part of the cruise. In this way, it will be mandatory to use a mask and carry a control chip so that accurate monitoring of where and with whom each passenger has been can be done. This measure will help in the event of any contagion, the tracing of contacts that have had each person.

For now, the industry proposes to carry out the first test trips, visiting different ports within the same country, until they can refine strategies and make longer trips that involve other countries and their sanitary control measures as well as the reception of tourists.

 

Lufthansa and Airbus convert their planes into cargo transport

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Lufthansa Technik and Airbus have teamed up to convert their commercial aircraft into “temporary” cargo transport, thus offering a temporary solution to their customers.

This new Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) solution will allow operators to load up to 15 tons of additional payload, in the cabins of their A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft.

The conversion consists of removing the seats, then installing a standard “PKC” pallet and nets on the main deck. This solution offers a load capacity of about 78 cubic meters on the main deck, with 12 PKC pallet positions and 18 nets.

Under the agreement, LHT owns the STC and will provide the retrofit kits for customers, while Airbus’s role as a manufacturer includes providing technical data, engineering validations, and operational calculations.

“The cooperation with Lufthansa Technik enables the smooth implementation of this temporary cargo solution. Best-in-class operating economy and cabin versatility make the A330 the perfect aircraft for cargo missions in today’s environment. With this new solution, we continue to support our Airbus customers, “said Soeren Stark, Chief Operating Officer and Account Manager at Lufthansa Technik.

 Source: Aviación al día

 

ITP Aero joins “Race to Zero”

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ITP Aero, is the Spanish aeronautical company that joins the United Nations “Race to Zero” campaign, as part of its commitment to the environment. ITP Aero seeks to minimize carbon emissions and reach zero emissions, for the year 2050.

As part of the “Business Ambition to 1.5ºC” program, the first objective is to neutralize carbon emissions by 2030. This is only part of the commitment that ITP Aero manages with the care of the environment. In addition to minimizing the impact that carbon emissions cause on the environment, it also seeks to promote this movement for other companies to join.

At the same time, Carlos Alzola, CEO of ITP Aero argues that: “ITP Aero is committed to clean, safe and competitive propulsion systems to achieve a sustainable aeronautical industry.”

Also within the Spanish company’s commitment to the “Race to Zero” program, the following stand out: Investment in development and research to seek efficiency in products and solutions that are friendly to the environment; The company will take advantage of its mechanisms to promote decarbonization and collaboration between stakeholders to create a positive impact in the localities and also establish the steps to achieve “net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

This movement is undoubtedly part of a great step where other aeronautical companies and airlines are already joining this cause, to minimize carbon emissions in the environment.

Read the full statement at ITP Aero

 

Drones: The future of the airline industry

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Drones have become one of the key advancements in the future of technology and could change the air logistics of the coming years, becoming part of the world’s transportation system.

On April 14, a conference called “Drone Enable” was held, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (OASI), where several specialists met and discussed the importance of creating a regulatory framework that allows the integration of drones into the system. World air transport.

The objective is not to replace traditional transport, but to bring great value to areas with high traffic congestion, rural and isolated sectors, speed up freight transport and provide fast services in cases of emergency.

Drones have been very useful in agricultural processes, in the control of forest fires, even in the analysis of traffic in some cities, and in the delivery of medicines. In 2015, the United States Government authorized the delivery of emergency medications to a rural clinic located in Virginia, which was 90 minutes by land from the nearest pharmacy.

There are many benefits that this type of unmanned aerial vehicle provides, and in logistics processes, its advantages are extremely positive.

In this sense, the OASI is working on an international registry of drones that allows their integration into the airspace. Koen de Vos, a member of the transport department of the European Commission, said that: “The challenge is to maintain a balance between promoting the potential of drones and addressing the concerns of society and the airline industry. Safety in the skies depends on the responsible behavior of all operators ”.

However, for society to fully accept the use of this new technology, the benefits of it must be totally clear to all people, especially if one considers that the negative aspects of these vehicles, such as noise and pollution, affect everyone.

Source: A21

 

Alarms go off with mega-ships

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After the Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal, maritime authorities raised their alarms, thanks to the new mega-ships being built today.

With the growing surge of international trade, the manufacture of vessels increases more and more and with it its size. This entails a great responsibility because the ports are not prepared for the reception of the new mega-ships.

“Ports and canals have not always been developed enough to accommodate extra-large vessels and in some cases, they have become relatively narrow and markedly reduced maneuvering space and margin for error,” explains Rahul Khanna.

Thanks to this, concern increases because the production of these mega-ships is only intended to cover the needs of one sector, without measuring the risks that may arise with maritime transport.

In this sense, China and South Korea are the ones currently in the battle for the production of ships: “In 2020, 43% and 41% of the world market of orders for the sector were respectively distributed.”

What are the consequences of mega-ships?

The biggest concern is undoubtedly the issue of collisions, accidents such as fires, or the danger posed by the size of the ships in ports. Also, the handling of a large ship in extreme weather situations.

 This leads to the movement of infrastructure that must be done in the ports, to optimize the departure and grounding of mega-ships.

You can read the full note in Portfolio.

 

E-Commerce and the shipping sector, the perfect combination

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After a year, the pandemic issue is still on the rampage. Many have seen the opportunity within the crisis and taken advantage of the mechanisms left by Covid-19 to get ahead. Such is the case of the shipping industry with E-Commerce.

Although the shipping industry has been as affected as other sectors, today can see the light thanks to the rapid growth of E-Commerce and the logistics systems that appear today to support electronic commerce.

“A McKinsey & Company study on the retail recovery from Covid-19 concludes that online penetration expected to remain six to 13 percentage points above pre-pandemic levels.”

Despite being a good omen for the shipping sector, this has been slightly affected by the lack of capacity of ships to transport the products that mostly come from China, which means that as well as many other sectors they were not expected. That a possible crisis will benefit them.

In this sense, the maritime transport service does not stop, and the opportunities are more. This being a time to optimize services through different technologies that can be applied to improve the planning of shipping lines and seaports.

An example of digitization is the logistics company Maersk, which has improved its system to bring its customers the best service thanks to the technological improvements it has made to its business model. Similarly, errors are minimized, and reliability is increased.

Do you want to know how digitization can help the nautical sector? Click here and learn a little more.

Source: Mundo Marítimo

The best airports in quality of service

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The Airports Council International (ACI) with the travel technology company Amadeus. Have unveiled the winners of the ASQ 2021 award highlighting the best airports according to the testimonies of their passengers.

Despite the impact that covid-19 has generated in the industry, 89 airports around the world won 108 awards for the quality of airport service. This time the ‘best hygiene measures by region’ were also evaluated, where they have recognized the security measures of 33 air terminals.

This award recognizes the success of airports responding to the intense focus on hygiene in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic. The new category also complements ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation program, launched in 2020, which has resulted in more than 275 airports being accredited.

“The ACI Airport Service Quality Awards represent the highest possible accolade for airport operators around the world… This year more than any other, the awards recognize airports that have listened to their customers and adapted services and experiences they offer to meet changing needs and expectations in very difficult circumstances, ”said ACI’s global CEO, Luis Felipe de Oliveira.

Toronto Pearson was named the best airport in North America for the fourth consecutive year and was awarded the best hygiene measures award, followed by the Victoria Airport, Canada, and the airports of Atlanta, New Orleans, San Antonio, and Tampa in the United States.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the measures are taken by the airports in Quirós, Costa Rica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was awarded.

 

For their part, the European airports of Elche, Granada, Menorca, Pamplona, ​​Murcia, Santander, Nikola Tesla, Faro, Joao Paulo II, Porto, Helsinki-Vantaa, Keflavik, Skopje, and Tallinn were also recognized, among other airports around the world. world.

 

Learn more at ACI.

Automation of airport systems

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The global aeronautics industry has grown dramatically in recent years and. For this reason, it has been necessary to develop and implement major technological advances to cope with the saturation of airspace and the growing workload.

This year indeed lived in a pandemic that produced a decrease in the aeronautical industry for air passenger transport. It has increased for air cargo transport since commercial trends based on e-Commerce, such as Dropshipping, have become the main source of income for many individuals, businesses, and individuals.

When we talk about the aeronautical sector we must bear in mind that it is made up of two main elements. The first one deals with all work on the ground such as information systems, cargo handling, air traffic control, and airport security. While the second is referred to work in the air as navigation systems and flight operations that allow passengers to fly safely from their origin to their destination.

Now, thanks to globalization, the trend leads us to generate increasingly automated systems that allow reducing human errors while facilitating and streamlining the workload. But that can be integrated with the systems already installed in airports, so that its implementation flows as an evolution of the processes that are currently developed daily and do not hinder or paralyze your routine activities.

The optimization of all these processes, both air, and land, have consequences that can drastically impact such as the need for more personnel and space to attend to all aircraft, their cargo, and passengers. 

Therefore, it is essential to seek to invest in all the necessary tools to optimize the attention times that allow the occupation of the terminals to be the least and most effective possible, to postpone investments of greater value in the expansion of the airports. Where in many cases the land is quite limited and generating the construction plan for a new airport or auxiliary terminal is a project with a much longer execution period.

For the automation of these airport systems, software such as the SUITE AIMS could well be evaluated, which can be easily integrated into any system with very few requirements, and helps to attack several important edges such as the payments of all port or airport clients where they can cancel your financial responsibilities, have a payment history, generate invoices, audit the number of passengers passing through a checkpoint airport or the collection and evaluation of passenger data that allow risk analysis for a certain moment. Also, many other functions that streamline your processes without this entailing a millionaire investment.

 

Planes on airport

The tourism sector calls for the reopening of airports in Colombia.

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Sectors that mainly benefit from aviation and tourism, such as travel agencies, airlines, pilots and hotels, warn that it is necessary to reopen airports in order to survive.

Airlines-tailsAlthough the Colombian government reported that international flights will be able to operate from September 1, many airlines are waiting for the reactivation of domestic flights.

The Colombian Avianca pilot, Fabio Tessarolo, assured that, although there are tentative dates, they cause a little fear in the sector:

“Companies are ready with biosafety protocols, at the airport there are all kinds of measures such as: temperature measurement, masks, gels, planes are constantly disinfected and the plane’s filters allow for recirculated air.”

Tessarolo warns that if it is not clear when the reopening of airports and national and international flights will be, it will be very difficult for companies to recover from this crisis. He also explains that, as well as humanitarian flights, regular flights could be made:

“Hundreds of humanitarian flights and cargo flights have already been made without any contagion and it is because companies are adequately carrying out biosafety protocols.”

Passenger-safetyIn this sense, the Minister of Transport Angela María Orozco, informed that, as for domestic flights, the reactivation date is not yet known, since they will depend on the measures adopted by the president of each region. And although for now this service is suspended, the application of pilot tests is being studied in which some routes that have the virus under control will be selected and the behavior with respect to Covid-19 will be analyzed.

National operations are expected to begin between July 1 and July 15. However, the last word is held by the National Government through the Ministry of Health and the municipalities as the pandemic progresses.

Source: LaRepublica.co