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“K” LINE and KEPCO Sign Service Agreement on Development of Liquefied CO2 Carrier Design for CCS Value Chain

November 14, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (KEPCO) have jointly studied optimal marine transportation and storage schemes for the liquefied CO2 from KEPCO’s thermal power plants to develop the Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) value chain since the signing of a memorandum of understanding on January 19, 2023.

Having completed an initial joint study on liquefied CO2 shipping, the two companies have now entered into a service agreement to study feasibility related to the liquefied CO2 carrier’s design involving domestic and foreign shipyards. This detailed study, which includes design development by shipyards, is ahead of the initiatives of other CO2 emitters.

Based on this Service Agreement, “K” LINE and KEPCO will study and develop optimal specifications for liquefied CO2 carriers and aim to realize liquefied CO2 marine transportation.

“K” LINE and KEPCO are accelerating actions toward the realization of a zero-carbon society through detailed research and the implementation of studies toward the delivery of a liquefied CO2 carrier that will play an important role in the CCS value chain.

Outline

  • Summarization of issues in the design of an optimal liquefied CO2 carrier, ship building technologies and shipping costs aiming for the fast realization of liquefied CO2 marine transportation.
  • Feasibility studies related to liquefied CO2 carrier designs implemented by shipyards

Scope of Work in this Service Agreement

Related release

January 19, 2023: “K” LINE and KEPCO Signed MoU on the Joint Study of Liquefied CO2 Shipping for Developing CCS Value Chain

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/carbon-neutral/carbon-neutral-5533502900799355640/main/0/link/230119%20EN%20.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line : Car Carrier Business: Resuming Global Conference in Person

November 14, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) held its global conference for car carrier business. The goals of the conference are to discuss medium- and long-term strategies for car carrier business, promote human resource development for maritime shipping professionals around the world and exchange views and ideas.

Twenty-four local staff members and representatives from six major overseas offices participated in the conference, which was divided into themed sessions: operation and transportation quality on September 19 and 20, and sales and strategy from October 10 to 12.

The operation session was attended by a total of about 30 participants, including national staff and representatives responsible for operation quality management at overseas locations, person in charge from the Group’s domestic ports, ship management companies and headquarters staff. The participants confirmed that a strong commitment to safe vessel operation and navigation is the top priority of car carrier business. Further, they engaged in lively discussions, focusing on compliance with environmental regulations in a rapidly changing business environment, as well as the optimum operation policies to achieve safe and efficient maritime transportation. These discussions also introduced the efforts of each location towards these objectives.

Operation and Transportation Quality Sessions—Commemorative Photo

The transportation quality session looked at specific examples of accidents and problem solving at each location and reviewed the current cargo-handling procedures in order to provide enhanced-quality transportation services to customers. In addition, it was confirmed that to prevent serious accidents, including fires, it is crucial to make well-balanced improvements in three key areas: crew training, review of emergency response procedures and technological innovation for accident prevention.

As in the other sessions, the sales and strategy session also brought together a total of about 30 participants, including national staff and representatives from major overseas offices and headquarters staff. To continue to be “the service of choice for customers,” participants openly discussed next-generation business models focused on environmental response and the competitiveness of the business to build a new sustainable growth trajectory from a customer-centric perspective.

“K” LINE Car carrier business division will continue to hold its regular global conference to share its vision and goals from a global perspective, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of its business across the network. “K” LINE is committed to the development and sustainable growth of car carrier business and to its social mission of supporting the supply chain of the automotive industry.

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line : Participation in the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum

November 14, 2023 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has joined the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum*1.

In October this year, “K” LINE conducted a comprehensive assessment of risks and opportunities by introducing the LEAP approach*2, which is proposed by the TNFD, to evaluate the environmental risks and nature-related impacts of our business and consider appropriate responses as part of our information disclosure under the TNFD framework.

As a member of the TNFD Forum, “K” LINE will be even more proactive in disclosing information and advancing environmental initiatives.

*1  The TNFD is an international initiative aimed at building a framework for appropriate assessments and disclosures of risks and opportunities related to natural capital and biodiversity. The TNFD Forum is a group of stakeholders consisting of business enterprises, financial institutions, research organizations, and other entities. It was set up for the purpose of supporting discussion at the TNFD to help build a framework. Please refer to the following website of the TNFD Forum for details.
https://tnfd.global/

*2  It is an integrated evaluation process for managing nature-related risks and opportunities advocated by the TNFD for information disclosure, consisting of four phases: Locate (interface with nature), Evaluate (dependencies and impacts on nature), Assess (significant nature-related risks and opportunities), and Prepare (for responses and reporting).
Please refer to the following website page of “K” LINE for details on LEAP analysis.
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/impact_mitigation.html

Related Press Release:

October 17, 2023: Disclosure of information based on the TNFD Framework

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/csr/csr5653514589507041307/main/0/link/231017EN2.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

Use of CTU Code boosts supply chain safety and savings, survey finds

November 10, 2023 by

The seven industry bodies dedicated to container safety, collaborating as the Cargo Integrity Group, highlight an independent study carried out by researchers at Italian University Politecnico di Torino into shipper and forwarder application of the CTU Code.  The 2023 survey yielded encouraging signs of adoption and highlighted several convincing arguments – including financial benefits for its use

The survey highlights multiple benefits to CTU Code users including:

  • Improved safety, reputation and supply chain coordination
  • Decreased cargo damage, environmental impact and operational inefficiencies
  • Those using the CTU Code incurred no extra costs in employees, contractors, or vehicles
  • Any increase in loading and waiting times were typically offset by CTU Code related efficiencies overall
  • Annual costs and penalties reduced from €670,000 pre-implementation of the Code to €13,000 post-implementation
  • Extra costs as a percentage of revenue reduced from 37% to 10%

In the words of the report’s authors (Bruno, et al.), “The application of the CTU Code to cargo loading and transportation processes can increase the safety level of transport activities, and also improve business processes and competitiveness. The results show that the use of the CTU Code provides an increase in safety with a drastic reduction of loading accidents and damage to goods, as well as important benefits in terms of costs, improved efficiency, corporate image and reduced environmental impact.”

The Cargo Integrity Group continues its efforts to underline the positive effects of the widespread use of guidance in the CTU Code, which is the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units jointly published by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)¹.

The Group is dedicated to improving the safety, security and environmental performance throughout the logistics supply chain. In particular, it is concerned to promote safe methods to those responsible for the packing of cargoes in containers, securing them and accurately declaring them.

Welcoming the Politecnico survey, the CEO of ICHCA, one of the Group’s founding associations, Richard Steele said, “As far as we are aware, this is the first example of publicly available empirical evidence about the use of the CTU Code made by forwarders, shippers and others responsible for safe packing.  Notwithstanding the regional focus of this particular survey, we believe the results to be genuinely encouraging.  They show that good operational management, efficiency and safety are partners, not opposites.”

To facilitate a greater degree of understanding and wider use of what is a lengthy and complex document, the Group has published a ‘Quick Guide’ to the CTU Code, together with an editable and saveable Checklist of actions and responsibilities for the guidance of those undertaking the packing of cargoes in containers.  These materials are now available in all six of the United Nations’ official languages, as well as Italian².

The full results of the Politecnico di Torino’s survey can be accessed here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590198223000738?via%3Dihub

Footnotes:

¹http://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Cargoes/CargoSecuring/Documents/1497.pdf

² Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.  Downloadable HERE

Filed Under: Cargo Integrity Group, ICHCA, TT Club

Recognise that sales terms may have crucial safety implications warns TT Club

November 8, 2023 by

With the primary goal of ensuring the safety of the global supply chain, international freight insurer TT Club draws attention to the critical question of who is initially responsible for the state in which cargo is shipped. The insurer also updates its guidance on correct dangerous goods packing procedures by reissuing its ‘Book it right and pack it tight’ publication.

The intricacies of responsibilities during the transfer of goods internationally are standardly defined by the INCOTERMS¹ that may govern the sale and purchase of the goods. This has a crucial bearing on who has responsibility for certain risks relating to the cargo in transit. TT indicates that a substantial 65% of cargo damage claims can be attributed to inadequate packing and securing in the cargo transport unit (CTU). The question of responsibility for packaging and packing has therefore an important impact on the safety of the supply chain.

“Poor packing practices, including improperly secured loads and mis-declared goods, give rise to the majority of incidents resulting in damage to cargo both on land and at sea, and potentially in injuries or broader incidents. While INCOTERMS seek to standardise the responsibilities and costs between seller and buyer under a sale of goods contract, where the goods are to be transported, such that there is clarity for delivery, the influence on the fulfilment of the transport (or ‘carriage’) contract may be less understood ,” explains Peregrine Storrs-Fox, TT’s Risk Management Director. “There is, therefore a need to increase awareness for those involved in trading goods to ensure that responsible decisions are taken in relation to the physical packing operations or, indeed, placement of cargo insurance.”

When incorporated, INCOTERMS will determine when responsibility, and therefore risk, is transferred from the seller to the buyer for delivery of the goods, which includes not just who is contracting for the transport but also inherently issues relating to packaging and packing. For example, under the “Ex Works” (EXW) INCOTERM, the risk is transferred from the seller to the buyer at the seller’s premises. This means that the buyer assumes responsibility for packing and transporting the goods from that point onward. In contrast, under the “Delivered Duty Paid” (DDP) Incoterm, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the buyer’s premises, including arrangements for transport.

“Issues impacting safety within the supply chain are not directly answered by INCOTERMS, and thus the concern. As with much of logistics, the range of practices is complex, but there is silence or insufficient clarity around issues of safe packaging and packing that impacts the interface between the differing types of contracts involved (including sales, financing, carriage and insurance). These terms may mitigate certain risks associated with cargo safety,” concludes Storrs-Fox. “Therefore, businesses engaged in international trade need to consider carefully the implications of the choice of terms of sale, specifically ensuring that packaging and packing are adequately understood to enhance safety.”

Regardless of any sales term that may be agreed, therefore, both parties need to consider responsibly the broader issues. However, TT urges buyers, often also importers, particularly to consider carefully the potential implications of the term selected, not just in relation to the simple division of responsibilities, but also the impact of the condition of the goods at the commencement of the movement on all involved in fulfilling the transport, as well as the wider environment.

Alongside this alert on the influence of this trading scenario may have, TT regularly highlights safety issues arising from inadequate CTU packing processes, most notably in relation to Dangerous Goods. In regard to this critical aspect of international trade, TT has, along with its sister insurance mutual UK P&I, recently published an update to the ‘Book it right and pack it tight’², joint publication, now reflecting Amendment 41-22 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, which enters mandatory effect on 1st January next year.

This publication also explains the importance of the Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units, known as the CTU Codeᵌ and provides the important reminder from caselaw that it is the shipper’s duty to ensure that the carrier is alerted to all the hazards posed by the cargo, even beyond what may be strictly required by the regulations.

TT’s intention in all these regards is to support shippers, forwarders, those who pack CTUs, and all carriers to understand the interplay of differing responsibilities in ensuring a safe outcome for all.

¹ https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020

² https://www.ttclub.com/news-and-resources/publications/book-it-right-and-pack-it-tight

ɜ https://unece.org/transport/intermodal-transport/imoilounece-code-practice-packing-cargo-transport-units-ctu-code#:~:text=The%20CTU%20Code%20applies%20to,the%20packing%20of%20dangerous%20goods

ENDS

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 1200 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 97% 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: TT Club

GEODIS named ‘Outstanding Logistics Player of the Year” at the 2023 Payload Asia Awards

October 31, 2023 by

Leading global transport and logistics provider operator, GEODIS, received the “Outstanding Logistics Player of the Year” award at the 10th Payload Asia Awards 2023. This is the second successive year that GEODIS has received this award.

Lakshmanan Venkateswaran, Sub Regional Managing Director – South East Asia (right), receiving the award from Irene Lau, Assistant General Manager, Aviation Logistics, Hong Kong International Airport, at the 10th Payload Asia Awards ceremony.

The Outstanding Logistics Player the Year is awarded to the company that provides integrated management over the flow of goods and demonstrates expertise in delivering the full logistics package, from shipping, inventory, warehousing, and packaging to security functions and digital solutions.

GEODIS APAC and Middle East Regional President and CEO, Onno Boots, remarked, “We are honored to be recognized as the winner of the Outstanding Logistics Player of the Year again this year. This award is testament to the commitment of our employees to excellence and innovation and in providing our customers with the best possible service. The logistics industry is poised for significant growth, driven by the thriving e-commerce sector. In response, we remain committed to expanding our logistics footprint with market leading technology and end-to-end logistics solutions to help our customers meet this growing demand.”

In Asia Pacific, GEODIS expanded its contract logistics capabilities last year with the acquisition of Keppel Logistics, a contract logistics specialist based in Singapore, and also invested in new warehouse facilities in Malaysia, Luhari in India, and Jiaxing, Zhejiang and Minhang, Shanghai, in China. These facilities include state-of-the-art technology and systems to support its retail and ecommerce customers with advanced warehousing solutions for faster and more reliable delivery options. The facilities also incorporate market leading sustainability and environmental initiatives.

In Bangalore, India, GEODIS established its sixth strategic control tower for its Supply Chain Optimization service which specializes in supply chain management and advisory solutions.

In August this year, GEODIS expanded its hub-and-spoke model road network from Southeast Asia to China. Equipped with industry-leading Internet of Things (IoT) security features and infrastructure, the GEODIS Road Network is integrated with major air and sea ports and offers multimodal options to meet customer needs for agile and flexible supply chains.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in four lines of business: Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express Transport, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 5 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Filed Under: GEODIS

Harren Group expands its service portfolio and launches Harren Ship Management

October 26, 2023 by

Re-think ship management: Inspired by customer feedback on ship management services available in the market, German maritime services and logistics provider Harren Group revisited its vast expertise in managing their own fleet as well as third-party vessels for over three decades. Today, the group offers holistic, forward-looking ship management services to owners under the new Harren Ship Management brand. Their mission: to ensure clients actually experience the value ship management can bring to their asset.

The holistic management strategy is built on a vessel-centric approach that proactively takes into account the constantly changing market environment and the key stakeholder interests of owners and charterers.

Owners directly benefit from the extensive know-how of the wider Harren Group with their range of vessel types and deep expertise in owning, managing, chartering and commercially operating ships. This holistic expertise is key to ensuring a vessel is consistently well positioned to earn the best possible revenues.

Comprehensive ship management services are available for all major vessel types, including heavy-lift and multi-purpose vessels, tankers, bulkers, container vessels and offshore wind.

Harren Group Managing Director Nils Aden describes the new service: “A multi-million-dollar asset deserves more than standard off-the-shelf management. It’s vital to be proactive about taking the many constantly changing parameters into account. This ranges from managing opex in different market cycles to dynamically adapting charterer requirements and adjusted asset strategies.” Aden continues: “An owner’s success depends heavily on their managers’ ability to connect the dots. We fully understand our customers’ needs from our own daily operations.”

Harren Group CEO Martin Harren adds: “With our deep understanding of commercial markets, we are uniquely qualified to help vessels generate the highest possible revenues. Our ship management clients further benefit from access to our wide-ranging group activities, global office network, strong approach on sustainability and engineering excellence.”

About Harren Ship Management:

Harren Ship Management provides full technical and crew management services for all maritime assets within the Harren Group. The newly founded subsidiary provides its dedicated services to external partners and is proud of the group’s successful track record with third-party vessels. Harren Ship Management takes a holistic approach while incorporating the extensive expertise within the Harren Group. The fleet under management currently consists of 65 units of all key vessel types. Harren Ship Management guarantees the highest standards of quality and performance with dedicated teams specialised in each area, a culture strongly rooted in seafaring and engineering, and a strong focus on sustainability.

Learn more about Harren Ship Management: https://www.harren-group.com/ship-management

About Harren Group:

For nearly 35 years, Harren Group has been at the forefront of the ever-changing world of shipping. Today, Harren Group’s core business areas include heavy-lift shipping, maritime engineering solutions, integrated project logistics, ship management and crewing, commodity logistics and offshore wind operations. With an unwavering passion for people and progress, Harren Group is dedicated to leading the energy transition, carrying loads no one else can. We bring the world – and their people – closer together.

Learn more about Harren Group: https://www.harren-group.com

Filed Under: Harren & Partner

TT Club : Good Neighbour Agreements – The Risk Implications

October 24, 2023 by

TT Club, leading international freight transport and cargo handling insurer, applauds equipment sharing agreements as efficient use of resources but flags up potential liability issues if appropriate insurance cover is not in place.  Guidance is outlined in the first of TT’s new ‘Risk Bytes’ series of advice documents.

24th October 2023

The benefits of good neighbour agreements are well recognised and utilised by cargo handling operators, and others in the supply chain to successful effect.  Sharing infrequently used equipment gives greater flexibility in operations has significant cost savings.  Usually reciprocal arrangements, they are not always formally outlined in well-defined contracts. 

“In such circumstances the casual nature of the arrangement, though often workable and agreeable to both parties, can lead to potential risks where liability and responsibility in the unfortunate event of an incident or breakdown may not be clear,” says TT’s Mike Yarwood. “It is these circumstances that we are seeking to help operators avoid with our recently published ‘Risk Byte: Good neighbour agreements’.”

This is the first in a series of ‘Risk Bytes’ which TT is providing to its membership and those in the global supply chain.  They are designed to provide a snapshot of the risks associated with day-to-day operating risks that may not be recognised or, if they are, not sufficiently covered by the relevant insurance policies.  ‘Risk Bytes’ are aimed at simplifying complex risk issues by providing easily digestible information and guidance.

As regards good neighbour agreements the primary risk, explains Yarwood,   “Is in the event of the equipment or machine being lost or damaged during the period of the loan leading to financial exposure for the owner.  In addition, this might severely impact business operations and cancel out any benefit gained from the arrangement, and severely damage years of a good working relationship with the neighbour.”

This first topic of ‘Risk Bytes’ outlines provisions that should be made in a formalised written contract, giving clarity on where the risk and liability rests during the operation of any shared asset and gives the opportunity for thorough due diligence to be carried out before the agreement is signed.

Yarwood concludes, “Of course, we recommend checks on financial stability and whether sufficient and appropriate insurance cover is in place.  But we are also offering advice on adequate staff training, health and safety provision and include a readily recognised case study of a typical asset sharing operation.”

A copy of ‘Risk Byte: Good neighbour agreements’ can be downloaded, free of charge HERE

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 97% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more.

https://www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

“K” Line : Development of CHRONUS System for Automatic Creation of Laytime Statements on Dry Bulk Carriers

October 23, 2023 by

— Digital Transformation to enhance customer service quality —

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha., Ltd. (“K” LINE) has developed the CHRONUS system using the AI-OCR technology*1 developed by Cinnamon Inc. (Cinnamon AI). The system automatically retrieves the necessary information from the records of cargo loading and unloading services for dry bulk carriers (Statements of Fact) and calculates demurrage and dispatch fee. And it automatically prepares Laytime Statements*2.

Usually in dry bulk carrier services, cargo owners and shipping companies set time limitation at a port for loading and unloading, called laytime, in the contracts between them. Every time a trip is finished, we calculate the actual duration of vessel staying at the port and the demurrage and dispatch fees actually incurred are settled. A Laytime Statement is prepared after calculating the net cargo handling time excluding the duration when services are not being performed due to rain or equipment failure in accordance with the details in the Statements of Fact provided by shipping agencies at individual ports and contractual conditions. However, the formats of the Statements of Fact vary depending on the port or the cargo owner. This means that it is necessary to enter a chronological record of the cargo handling work into a spreadsheet to calculate laytime.

Recently developed and put into use, the CHRONUS system reads the data from differently formatted Statements of Fact, recognizes records of cargo handling operations in time sequence from arrival of the ship, through the start and end of the operations to the departure of the ship, calculates the demurrage and dispatch charges automatically in accordance with the pre-imported conditions of the cargo transport contract and creates a Laytime Statement. Although creating Laytime Statements is an indispensable part of bulk carrier operations, the time and labor required for this process varied depending on how much practical experience the individual personnel involved had, and there were often calculation errors during the preparation of the statements. “K” LINE’s dry bulk team will standardize its workflows including the flow for the preparation of Laytime Statements to ensure they are not affected by the individual experience of the personnel involved and streamline the work processes to enhance its operation of services for its customers.

At “K” LINE, Digital Transformation is underway as a functional strategy for realizing the business strategy in the medium-term management plan*3 announced in May 2022. With the use of data and digital technologies, “K” LINE will improve its core value in safety, the environment and quality in a bid to boost its competitiveness and corporate value.

*1  AI-OCR (Optical Character Reader)
A technology for optically recognizing printed and handwritten writing using artificial intelligence (AI)

*2  Statements that keep a record of the difference between the allowed cargo handling time and the actual time

*3  Medium-term Management Plan (announced on May 9, 2022)
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/ir/library/strategy.html

REFERENCE

DX Strategy 2023 (announced on December 22, 2022)

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/dx_strategy.html

Cinnamon AI

Company profile

Company name: Cinnamon Inc.

URL:  https://cinnamon.is/en/

Location: 6th Floor, Spirit Building 3-19-13 Toranomon,
Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Established: October 2016

Representative: Miku Hirano, Representing Director and Co-CEO

Business description: AI product business and AI consulting business

To make a world full of creation using AI where everyone can dream of a new future, Cinnamon AI provides AI consulting and AI products aimed at realizing advanced business AI solutions.

Filed Under: "K" Line

HPC to optimize Rail Terminal of ALG Company in Kazakhstan

October 19, 2023 by

Hamburg, 19 October 2023 – ALG Company (ALG), headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, has taken a bold step towards optimizing their rail terminal capacity to meet the growing demands of the evolving trade landscape. In response to changing trade routes and the rerouting of cargo due to recent geopolitical developments, ALG has selected HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), a renowned intermodal terminal specialist, to review their current terminal concept and conduct a feasibility study for its optimization and development.

The ALG Terminal in Almaty currently plays a pivotal role in handling a diverse range of cargo, including 20 and 40-foot containers, cars, breakbulk, and large-size equipment. It also offers storage services in temporary storage warehouses and customs warehouses within a free zone. Recognizing the need to adapt to the shifting trade dynamics, ALG is committed to ensuring their terminal remains a major logistics hub.

Indira Tanirbergenova, CEO at ALG Company, underlines the importance of this collaboration, stating, “The changes in trade routes across the Middle Corridor connecting Asia with Europe overland, have led to increased demand for efficient rail trade infrastructure in Kazakhstan. We believe that by working closely with HPC, we can better position ourselves to meet these demands and contribute to the growth of our region’s trade activities.”

Due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the middle corridor is set to benefit significantly from increased volumes passing through Kazakhstan – which formerly were transported through Russia. This strategic location underscores the critical role that ALG can play in facilitating trade along the middle route. At the same time demand is increasing in the Almaty region as well as neighbouring countries.

HPC has been tasked with developing a comprehensive planning framework that includes a concept revision. This revision entails operational data analysis, market analysis, and volume forecasting. Furthermore, it involves a meticulous review of the current terminal concept, dwell times, train schedules, gate processes, loading and unloading processes, and storage capacities. Following this analysis, HPC has developed an operational concept that presents various development options and operational refinements to meet ALG Company’s evolving needs.

Frank Busse, Partner and VP Europe at HPC, emphasizes the significance of local context in their planning approach, stating, “Understanding the local framework conditions and existing planning is essential to develop viable concepts. Our goal is to provide ALG with a range of options that will empower them to make informed decisions regarding the future development of their rail terminal.”

HPC has a proven track record of developing intermodal rail terminals worldwide, having successfully completed approximately 130 projects in this specialized field. By leveraging their expertise in analysing, forecasting, simulating, and master planning environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure, HPC has consistently delivered innovative and efficient solutions. Their commitment to sustainable logistics aligns perfectly with ALG’s aspirations for their terminal’s future.

For more information on intermodal terminal consulting services, please visit the website: www.hamburgportconsulting.com

Contact

Steffi Karsten, HPC Marketing / PR, E-Mail: s.karsten@hpc-hamburg.de

About HPC

HPC Hamburg Port Consulting operates as a logistics consulting company, specialising in strategy and transformation services for the ports, terminals, and rail sectors. Since its establishment in 1976, the Hamburg-based consulting company has delivered approximately 1,800 projects across 135 countries spanning six continents along the entire port project development cycle. HPC employs about 100 domain experts with a background as terminal operators, software engineers, logistics managers, transport economists, data scientists and mathematicians. As a subsidiary of the Hamburg Port and Logistics Corporation (HHLA), HPC has its roots in port handling of container, breakbulk and multipurpose, as well as hinterland operations. www.hamburgportconsulting.com

HPC optimiert Bahnterminal der ALG Company in Kasachstan

Hamburg, 19. Oktober 2023 – Die ALG Company (ALG) mit Hauptsitz in Almaty, Kasachstan, hat einen wichtigen Schritt zur Optimierung ihrer Bahnterminalkapazität unternommen, um den wachsenden Anforderungen der sich entwickelnden Handelsbeziehungen gerecht zu werden. Als Reaktion auf die sich ändernden Handelsrouten sowie die Umleitung von Gütern aufgrund der jüngsten geopolitischen Entwicklungen hat ALG den renommierten Spezialisten für intermodale Terminals, HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), mit der Überprüfung des aktuellen Terminalkonzeptes und der Durchführung einer Machbarkeitsstudie für dessen Optimierung und Entwicklung beauftragt.

Das ALG-Terminal in Almaty spielt derzeit eine zentrale Rolle beim Umschlag einer breiten Palette von Gütern, darunter 20- und 40-Fuß-Container, Autos, Stückgut und Großgeräte. Es bietet auch Güterlagerung und die Nutzung von Zolllagern innerhalb einer Freizone an. ALG erkennt die Notwendigkeit, sich den sich wandelnden Handelsbedingungen anzupassen, und setzt sich mit Entschlossenheit dafür ein, dass sein Terminal eine Schlüsselrolle in der Logistik behält.

Indira Tanirbergenova, CEO der ALG Company, unterstreicht die Bedeutung dieser Zusammenarbeit: “Die Veränderungen der Handelsrouten über den Mittleren Korridor, der Asien mit Europa auf dem Landweg verbindet, haben zu einer erhöhten Nachfrage nach einer effizienten Infrastruktur für den Schienentransport in Kasachstan geführt. Wir glauben, dass wir uns durch die enge Zusammenarbeit mit HPC besser positionieren können, um diese Anforderungen zu bedienen und zum Wachstum der Handelsaktivitäten in unserer Region beizutragen.”

Aufgrund der aktuellen Situation in der Ukraine wird der Mittlere Korridor erheblich von der Zunahme der durch Kasachstan geführten Transportmengen profitieren, die früher über die nördlichere Route durch Russland gesteuert wurden. Diese strategische Lage unterstreicht die entscheidende Rolle, die das ALG-Terminal bei der Erleichterung des Handels auf der mittleren Route spielen kann. Gleichzeitig steigt die Nachfrage in der Region Almaty und in den Nachbarländern.

HPC wurde mit der Erarbeitung eines umfassenden Entwicklungskonzeptes beauftragt, das auch eine Überarbeitung des bestehenden Konzeptes beinhaltet. Diese Revision umfasst eine Betriebsdatenanalyse, eine Marktanalyse sowie eine Mengenprognose. Darüber hinaus wurden die derzeitigen Leistungs- und Lagerparameter, die Zugfahrpläne, die Gate-Prozesse, sowie die Be- und Entladeprozesse analysiert. Im Anschluss an diese Analyse hat HPC ein Betriebskonzept entwickelt, das verschiedene Entwicklungsoptionen und betriebliche Verfeinerungen aufzeigt, um den sich entwickelnden Bedürfnissen der ALG Company gerecht zu werden.

Frank Busse, Partner und VP Europe bei HPC, betont die Bedeutung des regionalen Kontextes für den Planungsansatz: “Um tragfähige Konzepte zu entwickeln, ist es wichtig, die lokalen Rahmenbedingungen und bestehenden Planungen zu verstehen und zu berücksichtigen. Unser Ziel ist es, der ALG eine Reihe von Optionen an die Hand zu geben, die sie in die Lage versetzen, fundierte Entscheidungen über die zukünftige Entwicklung ihres Bahnterminals zu treffen.”

HPC kann auf eine langjährige Erfahrung in der Entwicklung von intermodalen Bahnterminals weltweit zurückblicken und hat bereits rund 130 Projekte in diesem Spezialgebiet erfolgreich umgesetzt. Durch die Nutzung ihrer Expertise in der Analyse, Prognose, Simulation und Masterplanung umweltfreundlicher Transportinfrastrukturen liefert HPC innovative und effiziente Lösungen. Das Engagement von HPC für eine nachhaltige Logistik deckt sich idealerweise mit den Zielen der ALG für die Zukunft ihres Terminals.

Weitere Informationen zu Beratungsleistungen rund um Intermodal- und Bahn-Terminals finden Sie auf der folgenden Website: www.hamburgportconsulting.com

Kontakt

Steffi Karsten, HPC-Marketing / PR, E-Mail: s.karsten@hpc-hamburg.de

Über HPC

HPC Hamburg Port Consulting ist ein global agierendes Logistikberatungsunternehmen, das sich auf Strategie- und Transformationsdienstleistungen für die Sektoren Häfen, Terminals und Bahn spezialisiert hat. Seit seiner Gründung im Jahr 1976 hat das Hamburger Beratungsunternehmen rund 1.800 Projekte in 135 Ländern auf sechs Kontinenten entlang des gesamten Entwicklungszyklus von Hafenprojekten durchgeführt. HPC beschäftigt rund 100 Experten aus den Bereichen Terminalplaner, Software-Ingenieure, Logistikmanager, Verkehrsökonomen, Datenwissenschaftler und Mathematiker. Als Tochterunternehmen der Hamburger Hafen- und Logistikgesellschaft (HHLA) hat HPC seine Wurzeln im Hafenumschlag von Containern, Stückgut und Massengut sowie im Hinterlandbetrieb.

Filed Under: HPC Hamburg Port Consulting
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