Archives for September 2021

GEODIS offers its customers sustainable fuels for air and sea transport

September 8, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Already utilized in its road freight operations, GEODIS is now offering customers the opportunity to benefit from alternative fuel solutions in the air and at sea, all around the world. The objective: to contribute to the reduction of the CO₂ emissions of their shipments.

“The development of biofuel is one of the strategic paths being pursued by GEODIS to meet the challenge of carbon neutrality. With these new solutions for air and sea freight, we offer our customers an additional way to decarbonize their entire supply chain,” says Marie-Christine Lombard, GEODIS Chief Executive Officer.

The aviation (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) and maritime (Sustainable Marine Fuel) fuels, derived from non-fossil sources, are produced using food and agricultural waste (mainly cooking oil). Their use allows for a massive reduction in CO₂ emissions over the cycle from production to fuel consumption; at least 80% for air and 90% for sea transport, along with a reduction in other pollutants.

“Biofuels are currently the most effective way to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of transport activities,” says Philippe de Carné, GEODIS Executive Vice President Business Development, CSR & Innovation.

These alternative fuel sources are classified as ‘insetting’ or ‘integrated carbon reduction’ because they occur within the means of transport’s own value chain, unlike conventional carbon offsetting, such as solar panels, wind turbines and tree plantations, which are not involved directly in the operational sphere.

“These ‘insetting’ solutions offer our customers the ability to directly impact the global carbon output linked to their shipments by reducing it significantly,” adds Philippe de Carné. Using a ‘Book & Claim’ approach, each customer can opt for a as high a level of contribution as they wish, covering up to 100% of the CO₂ emitted by the transport of their shipment.”

Offering a sustainable alternative fuel for air and sea freight is a new step in GEODIS’ pathway to ecological transition. The Group is one of the world’s leading logistics providers to offer its customers biofuel solutions for all modes of transport: road, air and sea.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a world leader in transport and logistics, known for its commitment to helping its customers overcome their logistics constraints. With five business lines (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express and Road Transport), its direct presence in 67 countries and a global network across more than 120 countries, GEODIS ranks first in France, sixth in Europe and seventh worldwide in its sector. In 2020, GEODIS had more than 41,000 employees and a turnover of €8.4 billion.

Filed Under: GEODIS

Cargo Integrity Group to launch its CTU Code Quick Guide in Italian at Genoa Shipping Week

September 7, 2021 by Julia Hiles

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

On behalf of Container Owners Association, Global Shippers Forum, ICHCA International, TT Club, World Shipping Council

The Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) receives the support of Bureau International Containers (BIC) and Centro Internazionale Studi Containers (C.I.S.Co) in publishing its Quick Guide to the CTU Code, and the accompanying Container Packing Check List, in Italian. The official launch of the documents will occur during Genoa Shipping Week (4^th–10^th October).

Continuing its mission to encourage the greatest use of, and adherence to the guidance generated by the IMO, the ILO and the UNECE and published in the Code of Practice for the Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), the Group of five international freight transport orgainastions¹ has now added Italian to six other languages in which its Quick Guide is available.

In underlining the cooperation CIG has received in translating and providing peer review of the text, Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Risk Management Director at freight transport insurer TT Club commented, “It is vital to the cause of disseminating CIG’s Quick Guide to the CTU Code as widely as possible that those who are involved first-hand in packing containers, securing cargo and declaring content accurately can access in their own language this introduction to the Code’s definition of good industry practice. We are indebted to BIC and C.I.S.Co for their help with this Italian version. Their industry knowledge and expertise has been key in producing an accurate translation.”

The Italian Quick Guide and Container Packing Checklist is available HERE in addition to versions in all six official IMO languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The Group is delighted to have been able to translate its publications into all these languages, encouraging wider easy access to the materials.

To promote the Quick Guide and, in particular the Italian edition, partners in CIG will be contribute to conference sessions during Genoa Shipping Week (https://www.gsweek.it). In addition to Peregrine Storrs-Fox, Lars Kjaer, Senior Vice President World Shipping Council will participate via video link. The presentations will profile the content and methods of utilization of the publications, and how they both distill and give access to the lengthy and comprehensive CTU Code itself. Giordano Bruno Guerrini

Secretary General of Genoa based C.I.S.Co, the specialist consultancy group dedicated to container operations commented, “We are delighted to have contributed to the publication of these significant documents in Italian. The pursuit of safety within

Filed Under: ICHCA, TT Club

“K” Line Agrees Time Charter of LPG Fueled VLGC for LPG/Ammonia transport with GYXIS Corporation

September 7, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with GYXIS Corporation (GYXIS) to enter into a Time Charter contract based on a new Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.－built 86,700㎥ LPG Fueled VLGC (Very Large Gas Carrier) for LPG/Ammonia Transport.

“K” Line has placed an order for our first LPG fueled LPG/Ammonia carrier to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the vessel will be delivered from their Sakaide factory in 2023.

The vessel will be equipped with LPG dual fuel system and reduce the emissions of CO2 by approx. 20%, SOx by 90 to 100%, and NOx by 10 to 15% with LPG fuel mode in comparison with existing VLGCs.

Moreover, the vessel will be given the excellent design to maximize the fuel efficiency and perform more 30% of CO2 emission reduction in the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) which fully meets the reduction target of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). (Note1)

Furthermore, the newly ordered vessel is also designed to transport Ammonia which draws attention as a zero-emission fuel, and as one of the methods to transport Hydrogen.

According to “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 (Note2), we are addressing reduction of Greenhouse Gas(GHG) with the cooperation of customers and all of the concerned parties.

Outline of the Vessel

LOA : approx. 230.00 meters

Breadth : approx. 37.2 meters

Depth : approx. 21.9 meters

Tank Capacity : 86,700 m3

(Note1) EEDI and Regulations of SOx and NOx https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/regulation.html

(Note 2) “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050, which is formulated in 2015. Based on the revision in June 2020, our milestone target is set to [improve CO2 emission efficiency by 50% over 2008], which is surpassing the IMO target of a 40% improvement.

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management.html#002

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line to finance Transition Linked Loan under newly formulated Transition Linked Finance Framework

September 6, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce that we have formulated a “Transition Linked Finance Framework (Framework)” which is based on “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050(R1). With using this Framework, we plan to finance “Transition Linked Loan (TLL)” at the end of September 2021.

In order to promote this “Transition Linked Finance” continuously, “K” LINE has got certification of “Basic Guidelines on Climate Transition Finance” by Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry and related guidelines and policies for this TLL by Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR)(R2).

This TLL is also selected as “Example model of Climate Transition Finance of the 3rd year of Reiwa era” by Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry of Japan.

This TLL is our second transition finance (“Purpose Unspecified Finance”) since our 1st transition loan (“Purpose Specified Finance”) in March 2021(R3). “K” LINE is the first company who originates two consecutive transition finances (Purpose Specified / Unspecified) in short term in Japan and we believe these finances contribute to decarbonization. Outline of the finance is as follows.

Outline of finance

Finance Scheme	Transition Linked Loan
Borrower	“K” LINE
Loan Amount	To be announced
Loan Term	To be announced
Loan Agreement Date (to be)	End of September 2021
Loan Arranger	Mizuho Bank Ltd. (MHBK)
Transition Structuring Agent	Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd., MHBK,
Lenders	Syndicated Lenders, agented by MHBK
Evaluator	Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.
Targe SPTs	①Total Emission of GHG, ②CO2 Emission per ton-mile, ③CDP Rating

※Details of SPTs

①Total yearly GHG emissions throughout all loan term

②Yearly CO2 emissions per ton-mile throughout all loan term

③“A-” rating or higher by CDP rating

All above SPTs are connected with a matrix table of loan interest and this promotes our transition strategy.

References

(R1) “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 – Blue Seas for the Future –

http://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/index.html

(R2) Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR) website

https://www.jcr.co.jp/en/

(R3) Released on March 12, 2012: First Climate Transition Finance in Japan

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/car/car-7503535198498277982/main/0/link/210312EN2.pdf

(R4）“K”LINE SUSTAINABILITY BOOKLET (published English version in July,2021)

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/group/booklet.html

※ “K” LINE Group, as a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, is promoting

activities that contribute to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and this TLL is a part of its ongoing activities.

(https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/)

Filed Under: "K" Line

GEODIS in Hong Kong Unlocks Priority Customs Facilitation and Inspection with AEO Accreditation

September 6, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Partnership with the country’s Customs and Excise Department strengthens GEODIS’ offering, as the APAC division expands its network of local infrastructures.

GEODIS, a leading global transport and logistics services provider, today announced that its division in Hong Kong has been accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. AEO status recognizes excellent security and safety procedures amongst those within the supply chain industry. With the accreditation, GEODIS in Hong Kong will now be given access to priority customs facilitation and inspection, allowing the logistics provider to optimize its local operations, delivering agile, secure, and reliable solutions for customers.

The need for such efficient systems has become more vital than ever, given ongoing supply chain disruption to shipping schedules and factory production across Asia. These delays have also been accompanied by a continuing surge in consumer demand for Asian goods, challenging logistics partners to cope with an increasingly volatile supply chain ecosystem. As a key link between Mainland China and the rest of the world, these service providers in Hong Kong, in particular must work to keep processes up-and-running in the most seamless way possible.

“By achieving AEO accreditation we are helping to strengthen Hong Kong’s logistics credentials as a major international trading center and regional hub,” said Onno Boots, President and Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, GEODIS. “AEO status reflects the team’s commitment to providing our clients with best-in-class services and expertise to not only navigate, but thrive, amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.”

“This initiative affirms our continuous efforts to reinforce the infrastructures, processes and information systems required to ensure the most advanced and reliable security measures within the current dynamic environment,” said Christopher Cahill, Managing Director, North Asia Sub-Region. “GEODIS will continue to innovate, leveraging on new technology and automation to keep our operations in Hong Kong scalable and efficient.”

Since its incorporation in 1989, GEODIS in Hong Kong has expanded its presence, investing in an Air Export warehouse at the world-class Airport Freight Forwarding Centre (AAFC) within the Hong Kong International Airport (60,000 sqf) in addition to a Contract Logistics Warehouses located at Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan, and Yuen Long (630,000 sqf).

GEODIS in Hong Kong prides itself in providing logistical support to businesses across key verticals such as High-Technology, Retail, Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Industrial goods.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a global network spanning nearly 170 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

Filed Under: GEODIS

ICHCA invites submissions for 2021 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award

September 1, 2021 by Julia Hiles

ICHCA International has opened the 2021 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award and invites submissions from anyone involved in cargo logistics who can show a demonstrable improvement to safety

ICHCA International, the global cargo handling association, has opened the 2021 TT Club Innovation in Safety Award, which aims to highlight the importance of safety at a time of increased operational demands on cargo handling infrastructure and operations worldwide. The goal of the Award is equally to champion and celebrate the many companies and individuals around the world who are 100% dedicated to ‘making it safe’ every day, and to acknowledge and foster innovation to improve safety in cargo operations and logistics.

Both ICHCA International and TT have a fundamental commitment to risk reduction throughout the supply chain, in particular to safety within cargo handling operations. Promoting such safety advice is paramount to the philosophy of the two organisations and the Award reflects this commitment.

In announcing the opening of the Award entry process for 2021, TT Risk Management Director Peregrine Storrs-Fox said, “TT has always emphasised the critical nature of loss prevention in its role as a primary supplier of liability insurance and risk management services to those in the supply chain industry. As such, we remain dedicated to encouraging safety awareness and applaud ICHCA’s initiative in offering this prestigious award. TT has worked closely with ICHCA for a number of years, producing safety advisory documents and urging sound operational. We look forward to celebrating the wealth of safety innovation that will once more be encouraged by this Award.”

The Award is open to anyone – an individual, team or company – involved in cargo logistics. Entrants are required to show that a product, idea, solution, process, scheme or other innovation has resulted in a demonstrable improvement to safety.

The deadline for entries is 12 November 2021 and full details of the entry process and judging criteria can be found in both English and Chinese at https://ichca.com/tt-club-innovation-in-safety-awards.

The Award ceremony takes place in February 2022 where we will celebrate the shortlisted and winning entries.

ENDS

About ICHCA – International Cargo Handling Coordination Association

Established in 1952, ICHCA International is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the safety, productivity and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.
Operating through a series of national and regional chapters, including ICHCA Australia, ICHCA Japan as well as Correspondence and Working Groups, ICHCA provides a focal point for informing, educating, lobbying and networking to improve knowledge and best practice across the cargo handling chain.

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: ICHCA, TT Club

“Vertical Approach” in deep-sea mining: BAUER Maschinen GmbH and the Harren & Partner Group establish joint venture

September 1, 2021 by Julia Hiles

Schrobenhausen, Germany – Seafloor massive sulfides are a valuable mineral raw material found at the bottom of the deep sea. The “Vertical Approach” is a method for extracting seafloor massive sulfides using the trench cutter method, an established technique in specialist foundation engineering that is operated and supported in the deep-sea environment from a ship on the open sea. As a relatively small-scale intervention with a minimal ecological footprint, this approach is an ideal method for test mining and exploration of deposits up to a depth of 3,000 m.

(1) From left: Matthias Müller, Legal Counsel at Harren & Partner, Leonhard Weixler and Heiko Felderhoff, both Managing Directors of the new Seabed Mineral Services GmbH, Verena Schreiner, Product Manager Maritime Technologies at BAUER Maschinen GmbH, Dr. Ruediger Kaub, Chairman of the Management Board of BAUER Maschinen GmbH and René Gudjons, Managing Director of BAUER Maschinen GmbH.
All images: © BAUER Group

The approach was conceived in discussions between BAUER Maschinen GmbH and the Harren & Partner Group concerning opportunities to combine the expertise of both companies and to develop new strategies for sustainable mining approaches in accordance with the standards of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

On August 26, a joint venture agreement was signed between the two companies and Seabed Mineral Services GmbH was established. The first stage is to determine the economic viability and, in particular, the environmental compatibility of the “Vertical Approach.”

“We are thrilled to have found an expert partner in Bauer who is willing – just like us – to seize opportunities and take on a pioneering role in the field of deep-sea mining. Our joint approach for this venture is based on a combination of established technologies. This enables us to minimize the technological risk while at the same time keeping costs down,” says Heiko Felderhoff, Managing Director of Harren & Partner.

(2) In the “Vertical Approach”, the template and diaphragm wall cutter are lowered via a winch instead of being placed once and then moved horizontally along the seafloor.

All images: © BAUER Group

Leonhard Weixler, head of the Diaphragm Wall Equipment division at BAUER Maschinen GmbH, adds: “The chemistry between us is very good; we share a similar spirit. This partnership is an ideal union of specialist knowledge and experience in the afield of offshore technologies and services with expertise in the development and production of specialist foundation engineering equipment for onshore and offshore customers around the world.”

Heiko Felderhoff and Leonhard Weixler act as Managing Directors of Seabed Mineral Services GmbH.

The concept behind the “Vertical Approach”

Deep-sea sampling undeniably has an impact on sensitive deep-sea ecosystems. Nevertheless, the “Vertical Approach” makes the utmost effort to minimize the ecological footprint. A serious concern when it comes to deep-sea mining is the stirring up of sediment and the potential impact on sensitive deep-sea species. To prevent fine material from escaping the cutting area, a protective collar is positioned around the cutting wheels at the start and the actual cutting process is protected by the surrounding ore. As a result, fine material from the cutting process remains within this area, while the water mixed with fine sediment and cutting chips is pumped into the ore container.

The separation process is carried out within the ore container to separate the particles from the sea water via sedimentation. After this treatment, the water is fed back to the cutting wheels and reused in the cutting circuit. This closed system minimizes the volume of sea water that is impacted by the cutting process.

Sampling is selective: the template and trench cutter are lowered using a cable winch instead of being initially positioned then moved horizontally along the seafloor. This restricts the sphere of influence to the base area of the template feet and trench cutter. Zones with ore can be clearly separated from zones without ore.

Another aspect of the “Vertical Approach” that reduces the environmental impact of this method compared to other methods is that only one “tool” is used for extracting material. The soil does not need to be crushed later for transport to the ship. Only the raw material is extracted, with minimal impact on the environment.

About Harren & Partner

The Harren name is synonymous with over 30 years of experience and expertise in the ever-changing world of shipping. The shipping group was founded by Captain Peter Harren in Bremen in 1989 and employs around 270 people ashore and about 2,900 crew members. Today, the privately owned business is a diverse group of companies with 20 oversea offices and strong brands: SAL Heavy Lift, Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, SAL Engineering, SAL Renewables and Intermarine are five of the world’s leading companies in the maritime transport sector for heavy lift, wind and project cargo. Combi Lift is specialised in multimodal door-to-door and turnkey forwarding concepts, while Harren Tankers and Harren Bulkers are responsible for the commercial and technical management activities for the group’s tankers and bulkers fleet. Another core activity involves offering high quality ship management services to in-house and international third-party clients. The fleet currently consists of 85 units – heavy lift carriers, bulkers, tankers, dock ships, container vessels, tugs, barges and offshore vessels. With specialised teams for the different types of ships and strong shipping DNA in its business culture, Harren & Partner guarantees the highest standards of quality – both ashore and at sea. For more information about Harren & Partner, go to www.harren-partner.de

About BAUER Maschinen Group

For almost 60 years, equipment from Bauer has represented the highest performance and quality and constant innovation. The BAUER Maschinen Group is the world market leader in the development and manufacture of specialist foundation engineering equipment. BAUER Maschinen GmbH, which is also the holding company for a number of subsidiaries, designs and builds large-diameter drilling rigs, duty-cycle cranes, trench cutters, grabs and vibrators as well as the related tooling at its plants in Schrobenhausen, Aresing and Edelshausen. The subsidiaries manufacture state-of-the-art mixing and separation equipment as well as rotary drive systems and equipment for drilling small-diameter boreholes and wells. The BAUER Maschinen Group also operates manufacturing facilities in the USA, Russia, China, Malaysia, Italy, Singapore and Turkey. Component suppliers within the Group are Schachtbau Nordhausen and Olbersdorfer Guß. The company operates a global sales and service network. More at bma.bauer.de

About Bauer
The BAUER Group is a leading provider of services, equipment and products dealing with ground and groundwater. With over 110 subsidiaries, Bauer can rely on a worldwide network on all continents. The Group’s operations are divided into three forward-looking segments with high synergy potential: Construction, Equipment and Resources. Bauer profits enormously from the collaboration of its three business segments, enabling the Group to position itself as an innovative, highly specialized provider of products and services for demanding projects in specialist foundation engineering and related markets. Bauer therefore offers suitable solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, such as urbanization, the growing infrastructure needs, the environment, as well as water, oil and gas. The BAUER Group was founded in 1790 and is based in Schrobenhausen, Bavaria. In 2020, it employed about 11,000 people in around 70 countries and achieved total Group revenues of EUR 1.5 billion. BAUER Aktiengesellschaft is listed in the Prime Standard of the German Stock Exchange. More information can be found at www.bauer.de. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube!

Filed Under: Harren & Partner

Transport communications