Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce the execution of four long-term Time Charter contracts through joint  venture companies*¹ with QatarEnergy*². The joint venture companies have concurrently executed Shipbuilding contracts for 174,000m3 LNG carriers with Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.

QatarEnergy is the world’s largest LNG producer and will allocate the newbuilding vessels to transport LNG around the world.

The newbuilding vessels will be equipped with X-DF2.2 iCER*³, VCR*⁴ and other energy saving devices which will contribute to reduction of GHG emissions and realize the ease of environmental impact by lower fuel consumption in operation.

Additionally, the new building vessels will obtain OCCS-Ready notation from classification society by conducting an evaluation for future installation of the OCCS*⁵, in anticipation of further GHG reduction.

Since the delivery of “Bishu Maru” in 1983 as the first Japanese LNG carrier, “K” LINE has been establishing expertise on LNG transportation and developing its worldwide network for over 40 years.

“K” LINE and QatarEnergy have had long-term relationship through several existing projects. The new four Time Charter contracts will further strengthen the business relationship.

In our Medium-Term Management Plan published in May 2022*⁶, “K” LINE has placed LNG business as one of the top priority areas in the future investment. “K” LINE will further expand long-term contracts and accommodate growing energy demands by responding to various customers’ needs.

*1. It is sponsored by “K” LINE together with Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd.

*2. QatarEnergy is a state energy company of Qatar.

(QatarEnergy Release)

March 31, 2024：QATARENERGY’S HISTORIC FLEET EXPANSION PROGRAM HITS 104 CONVENTIONAL LNG VESSELS

https://www.qatarenergy.qa/en/MediaCenter/Pages/newsdetails.aspx?ItemId=3803

*3. X-DF2.2 iCER is a low speed dual-fuel engine with gas at low pressure and is equipped with exhaust gas recirculation system.

*4. VCR is technology to optimize the compression ratio of the main engine.

*5. OCCS is Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage.

*6. Medium-Term Management Plan (Released on May 9, 2022)

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/ir/management/strategy.html

Main Particulars of the Vessel

Demonstration test of autonomous navigation system on large RORO cargo

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has been participated in the Joint Technological Development Program for the Demonstration test of Fully Autonomous Ships under the MEGURI 2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Project* (MEGURI2040) administrated by the Nippon Foundation.

In this time, we succeeded the sea demonstration test with PoC** stage of autonomous navigation system consisting of single function on board ship aiming to social implementation of fully autonomous ship, and we implemented on a round-trip route of approximately 1,600 km between Hitachi Port and Kushiro Port, which is the existing RORO cargo ship service route.

PoC overview

The autonomous navigation system was installed on the 11,413 gross-ton large RORO cargo ship “HOKUREN MARU No. 2” operated by KAWASAKI KINKAI KISEN KAISHA, Ltd.

Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen) for a total of 3 voyages starting on October 1, 2023***.

We confirmed that recognition, analysis, and decision making by the autonomous navigation system are executed with a high degree of accuracy in coastal navigation. In the experimental route, the autonomous navigation system was used to navigate while maintaining the normal crew navigation tasks, and in situations where avoidance was necessary, the autonomous navigation system proposed avoidance routes and controlled steering to safely avoid other vessels. The autonomous navigation system has achieved an average system operation rate of approximately 96% in the sea area set as ODD****.

Our approach in PoC

We led the implementation of the sea demonstration test for the retrofit of an onboard system, the autonomous navigation system (Target Detection, Planning, Actuation), which is being developed for social implementation in the second stage of MEGURI2040. During the test voyages, we provided expertise as maritime professionals.

In the future, we will utilize the data obtained from the sea demonstration tests to further enhance the autonomous navigation system, incorporating our expertise in safe operations, which is one of our strengths.

Our approach to 2025

We will continue to collaborate with Japan Radio Co., Ltd., YDK Technologies Co., Ltd., and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen to further develop a comprehensive system that contributes to the improvement of fully autonomous ships technology. We will continue to enhance the onboard system based on the research and development achievements thus far and develop an automatic vessel speed control system in preparation for the 2025 sea demonstration test. Our goal is to create an autonomous navigation system with high versatility that can be implemented in various types of vessels.

Furthermore, we will work on the development of off board system and ship-to-shore communication systems, aiming to establish continuous monitoring of vessel conditions from shore and provide navigational assistance. We will focus on the development and demonstration of ship-to-shore coordination technology.

* A subsidization scheme to cultivate further momentum for technological development in the field of fully autonomous ships, promoting changes in logistics, economies, and social infrastructure in Japan, and supporting such technological development through the success of the world’s first fully autonomous operation trials by domestic coastal vessels. We are participating as a member of the Designing the Future of Fully Autonomous Ships Plus consortium (DFFAS+).

** PoC（Proof of Concept）：Verification process prior to prototype development

This is the sea demonstration test of the On board system only, and is one of the efforts toward the 2025 demonstration test of an Fully Autonomous Ship connected to shore-side-system.

*** Voyage 1 : October 1-3, 2023, Voyage 2 : October 9-11, 2023, Voyage 3 : October 17-19, 2023

**** ODD（Operational Design Domain）：Operational design areas where autonomous navigation systems operate normally

Related Release

July 21, 2023: Participating in the Second Stage of the Nippon Foundation MEGURI2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Project for Social Implementation

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/csr/csr-20231127.html

GEODIS upgrades road network capabilities, connects Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam

GEODIS, a global leading transport and logistics services provider, has expanded its road network in Southeast Asia to Vietnam; another step towards its ambition to develop a scheduled road service connecting Singapore to China. GEODIS’ own fleet of vehicles and expanded network of partners enables full and partial loads to be carried by road along the Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand axis, and now Vietnam. The addition of the service to Vietnam will serve businesses driving the manufacturing boom in that country over recent years, helping the region become a vital supply chain node for many high-tech, retail, and FMCG businesses.

Launched in November 2019, the Road Transport service of GEODIS in Southeast Asia was created to meet the needs of companies looking for a day-definite road transportation solution for their cargo, in the range of 30 to 1000 kilos per shipment.

The expanded road network for Full Truck Load (FTL) and Less than Truck Load (LTL) service provide freight management from first to last mile and offers additional options for existing GEODIS customers, in addition to air and ocean transport modes.  The door-to-door road option has the advantage of loading space flexibility, with benefits of lower rates than air freight, shorter transit times than ocean freight, and on-the-ground expertise for customs clearance.

Since March 2021, GEODIS has expanded its road network capabilities by offering both standard and personalized solutions including its RoadDirect, RoadFast, and RoadSave services. With these differing levels of service, GEODIS balances transit time and costs to ensure customers can tailor the solution that best fits their needs; to include door-to-door service, customs brokerage and onward distribution.

Accompanying the new expansion of the Road Transport service of GEODIS is a dedicated access to a rate calculator and automated quotation system, which will be available towards the end of 2021.

“Our expanded service aims to give our customers greater flexibility and reliability of service in the context of current supply chain disruptions affecting air and sea cargo flows,” said Lakshmanan Venkateswaran, Sub-Regional Managing Director – South East Asia. “The service refinements come at a pivotal time as ASEAN’s manufacturing productivity and market expansion are gaining momentum due to the confluence of events that is motivating global companies to diversify their supply chain options”.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics services provider 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.

Jürgen Adler has been appointed head of the Automotive market, one of the strategic vertical markets in which GEODIS is seeking to expand.

Jürgen Adler, age 43, is a German national and holds a degree in Transport and Logistics from the University of Bonn. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the logistics and transport sector of the automotive industry.

Speaking several languages, he has worked on five continents, principally in Germany, France, China and the United States.

His aim will be to address the specific expectations of the sector, which is currently facing significant structural changes as well as ongoing supply chain disruptions, in a sector where “just-in-time” is a standard.

Philippe de Carné, Executive Vice President Business Development, Innovation & CSR, said: “Faced with the increasingly rapid pace of change in the field of new mobility, Jürgen will draw on his experience to help GEODIS customers in the Automotive sector manage their supply chains on a global scale, taking account of the challenges of flexibility and cost reduction.”

Jürgen Adler said: “I am delighted to be joining GEODIS, where I will be able to contribute to developing solutions for the Automotive market. Both manufacturers and suppliers need a reliable logistics partner who can bridge the visibility gap through its global end-to-end solutions.”

Jürgen Adler joined GEODIS on October 1, 2021. He is based in the GEODIS offices in Frankfurt, Germany.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

GEODIS is a global leading transport and logistics services provider 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.

London: 13 September 2012

Uniserve, the UK’s largest privately owned international freight and logistics company, has announced is acquisition of Portall Solutions Ltd, a finance and management consultancy business.  This signals Uniserve’s intention to redefine supply chain management services and to raise current standards of industry capability with its new concept of Global Trade Management (GTM).

Extending beyond the traditional freight forwarding competencies, the Portall product will provide Uniserve’s GTM service with a degree of flexibility designed to tackle today’s economic conditions and to exploit opportunities; an alternative approach to existing supply chain solutions which reflect past conditions.

Iain Liddell, Managing Director of Uniserve said “The acquisition of Portall will give us a significant addition to our range of capabilities.  It is our intention to lead the industry and promote the next generation of business support services, taking supply management to another level.  Our concept of Global Trade Management, or GTM, encompasses many skills and competencies in which Uniserve has been investing for some time.  To accelerate the growth of GTM, the 100% acquisition of Portall gives us a number of unique and innovative products to provide for our clients.”

The world class supply chains devised for many of our customers and other blue chip companies require to be updated constantly to remain world class.  To sustain this development Uniserve strives to up-date supply chain management structures by asking these crucial questions: is an existing supply chain designed for current trading conditions and for those of the foreseeable future; given limited growth in UK and EU markets, how can supply chain design facilitate those growth opportunities that do exist; how can opportunities to increase efficiency, not previously identified, be unlocked and what can be done to identify changing trends in rates and other performance metrics?

Uniserve believes with its global infrastructure of partners it is well placed to take advantage of the extremely competitive prevailing conditions and so react to these challenges to the benefit of our customers.

Liddell concludes, “Uniserve is pleased to be able to invest through this acquisition of Portall, adding to its knowledge bank and expertise.  Only companies like ours, with a strong balance sheet and a clear vision for the future, will be able to grow during this current down-turn.  We are confident that Uniserve will attain such growth through extended margins and a good return on this current investment.”

ENDS

About Uniserve Group

Established in 1984, Uniserve are the largest British privately owned international freight and logistics company in the UK. Working with an unrivalled network of professional partners across the world, Uniserve is a leading import and export consolidator and full load carrier, operating via air, sea and road.

We are experts in all major Global trade markets and specialists in Europe, China, South East Asia, and The Indian Subcontinent. At Uniserve we pride ourselves on our experienced, knowledgeable, dedicated team, selected from the finest in the industry to provide the best service and advice to you, across all modes and aspects of transport, import and export procedure.

www.uniservegroup.co.uk

www.portallsolutions.com

For further details please contact:

Mike Woodall

Tel:   0044 1708 259 400

Mobile:  0044 7557 092 606

Email:  maw@ugroup.co.uk