Communications are the press relations consultancy for the Shipping and logistics industry
・Financial Highlights for 2nd Quarter FY2021
・Notice on Revised of Financial Results for the full Fiscal Year ending March 2022 and Dividend policy (No Interim Dividend, Year-end dividend policy)
・Notice of occurrence of Non-Operating Income by dividends income
Please see the full press release at https://www.kline.co.jp/en/
Please see the full press release at https://www.kline.co.jp/en/
Revision of 2050 Targets for “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050
Please see the full press release at https://www.kline.co.jp/en/
Frankfurt Airport branch demonstrably meets the highest service and quality standards in the transport of life science and healthcare products
Kempten/Frankfurt, November 4, 2021 – Dachser’s Frankfurt air and sea freight branch has once again received certification from IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma), demonstrating its capabilities in logistics services for the life science and healthcare industry.
The transport of life science and health care products must meet exacting standards. Drugs and other pharmaceutical products are often temperature-sensitive, urgent shipments that must be handled in compliance with a complex regulatory environment. As an industry standard, CEIV Pharma certification covers the specific requirements of senders of pharmaceutical products with regard to safe, correct, and efficient air freight services. “This recertification confirms our expertise in the life science and healthcare sector,” says Timo Stroh, Head of Global Air Freight, who is also responsible for the Life Science and Healthcare Logistics Business Field Solution at Dachser. “It certifies the highest standards of service and quality, which we provide to our customers through consistent processes and a GDP-compliant network.”
The same standards apply for recertification as for initial certification. CEIV Pharma certification requires internal and external training, a review of procedures for handling temperature-controlled life science and healthcare shipments, and an extensive assessment of these complex processes by two independent auditors.
“We consider it absolutely essential to meet international standards in the worldwide transport of sensitive products,” Stroh explains. “This benefits our customers. Our location at Frankfurt Airport is immensely important for our global network. As an international air freight gateway with its own charter connections, its direct link to Dachser’s tightly knit overland transport network, and the established CEIV Pharma setup, the location is crucial for the further development of our industry solution for customers in the life science and healthcare sector,” Stroh says.
Dachser Air & Sea Logistics CEIV Pharma certified on three continents
In addition to the Air & Sea Logistics branch at Frankfurt Airport, the other Dachser locations with this IATA certification are Shanghai, China; Mumbai and Hyderabad, India; and Atlanta, US. The Life Science and Healthcare Logistics Quality Management System is implemented on a global level to ensure uniform processes in all countries.
CEIV Pharma provides the pharmaceutical industry with a globally standardised and recognised certification for the handling of pharmaceutical products that meets and exceeds international standards and guidelines. These include the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) as defined by the European Union and the World Health Organisation, the standards of the United States Pharmacopeia, and the IATA regulations for temperature-controlled transport.
About Dachser:
Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customised services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s range. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.
Thanks to some 30,800 employees at 387 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 5.6 billion in 2020. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 78.6 million shipments weighing 39.8 million metric tons. Dachser is represented by its own country organisations in 42 countries on five continents. For more information about Dachser, please visit dachser.com
Initiative for Expediting Implementation of Autonomous Ships
As a part of an initiative to expedite implementation of autonomous ships, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has entered into a joint R&D agreement with Japan radio Co.,Ltd.(JRC) and YDK Technologies Co., Ltd. (YDK) to develop an integrated navigation support system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies for assisting maneuvering in making safety maneuvering decisions. This joint R&D project aims to develop a system that will prevent serious maritime accidents such as ship collisions and groundings and that will lead to autonomous ship operations by combining “K” Line’s maneuvering knowledge and experience in safe ship operation over many years, JRC marine equipment’s knowledge and advanced radio technology developed, and YDK’s steering and propulsion control technology.
This system is expected to meet Degree 1(*1) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standard for development stages of autonomous ships and is an initiative to follow the global trend of the development of autonomous ships and further expedite the project.
An overview of this initiative and the joint R&D structure is shown below. The aim is to develop a comprehensive system that will further improve the safety of ship operations by utilizing the knowledge and technologies of the three partners in each process from situation awareness by the seafarer to manoeuvring control of the ship, combined with the most advanced technologies provided by Groke Technologies(*2), Fujitsu Limited(*3), and Forum8 Co.(*4).
Starting from April 2023, demonstration at sea will be conducted on various ship types and routes, both domestic and international, with the aim of full-scale commercial implementation in the future. “K” Line, JRC, and YDK will continue to develop the system to further improve the safety of ship operations by providing more advanced support and reducing the burden on seafarers and to assist in implementing autonomous ships.
This R&D is a part of our efforts to develop a crew support system for navigation and engine part. The aim is to prevent serious marine accidents under congested water such as collision and grounding by providing safety information to navigator and supporting their decision-making through this Integrated Navigation Support System that utilizes advanced technology. We will continue to accelerate development to improve safety, transportation quality and environmental performance that including the basic technologies required for future autonomous ships in view of cooperation with various partners.
*1: IMO’s Development Level for Automated Ships (Degree 1)
Degree 1 is defined as a state where part of the ship’s operation is automated, but the crew is still on board. This requires that human operators be ready and able to take control if any unforeseen circumstances arise.
https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Autonomous-shipping.aspx
*2: Groke Technologies
Groke Technologies was established in 2019 by founders from the Rolls-Royce Ship Intelligence Team, the pioneers in the development of autonomous navigation technology today, with the investment backing from Mitsubishi Corporation. They are a provider of intelligent navigation solutions with extensive background in autonomous maritime systems. Groke Technologies has extensive expertise in maritime sensor fusion, machine vision and artificial intelligence solutions.
*3: Fujitsu Limited
Since 2018, Fujitsu Limited has been conducting joint performance testing with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to verify the effectiveness of Fujitsu’s AI-based ship collision risk prediction technology in actual sea conditions. Starting from 2019, performance tests of this technology have also been conducted at the Tokyo Bay Maritime Traffic Center, Japan Coast Guard.
https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2018/04/16-1.html
https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2020/04/15.html
https://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2021/09/28.html
*4: Forum8 Co., Ltd.
Forum8’s CG-based VR simulation technology has already been used in a wide range of fields such as civil engineering and transportation, and recently, Forum8 has also been working on CG-based simulations of ships and marine traffic and has the technology to properly simulate the environment surrounding an operating ship.
Robust culture supports seafarers’ situational awareness and personal responsibility in campaign to improve safety at sea for all
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 2, 2021: The American Club has recently launched an important new loss prevention initiative entitled Good Catch. As it gains increasing momentum, five safety advisories having been issued in the two months since the campaign was launched, Good Catch is aimed directly at seafarers themselves. It combines alerts and animations on safety-related issues in a focused format. Good Catch is currently available for download in English and in both new and traditional Mandarin.
Good Catch recognizes that, although there may be differences in detail between individual safety management systems, they all have a common purpose in ensuring seafarers’ situational awareness and their personal responsibility for their own safety, that of their shipmates, the marine environment, and the many other interests involved in their service at sea. The initiative emphasizes the importance of a strong safety culture which identifies, assesses and reports unsafe conditions, unsafe acts and near misses using case study examples.
Elements of the campaign already released include: reduction of CO2 emissions; dangers of over reliance on ECDIS²; engine room egress in case of fire and questionable risk assessments of various situations. A number more are planned over the coming months.
Dr. William Moore, Head of Global Loss Prevention, Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., the Club’s Managers, said:
“We have over the recent past issued animations on bunkering and the handling of steel and rice cargoes; a library of safety, environmental and cargo handling e-Learning modules; safety comics and posters, but the focus of Good Catch is on informing seafarers themselves. We look to help them to become more situationally aware of their surroundings as well as make them aware that they are most responsible for their own safety and the safety of those who work beside them, in conjunction with the company and safety management system procedures under which they operate.
“As Managers of the Club, we meet with the Club Board’s Safety and Environmental Protection Committee, comprised of Club Directors, every quarter to discuss loss prevention and survey related activities. Earlier this year, the Committee requested the Managers to maintain an undiminished focus on seafarer and ship safety in parallel with initiatives to inhibit environmental exposure, given the Club’s especially valuable insights to both areas of concern to the safe and environmentally friendly operation of ships.”
Joe Hughes, Chairman & CEO of Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., the Club’s Managers, said:
“It was a combination of events that brought Good Catch to fruition, but the initiative was primarily a result of reaching out to our members for their feedback on the loss prevention products and services the Club provides. The response was very positive. There was a clear message that the Club should promote safety related guidance directed at seafarers which was short, simple and focused. I am very pleased that this important initiative has now been launched.”
New alerts and animations will be posted periodically at the Club’s website at:
¹https://www.american-club.com/page/good_catch
²Electronic Chart Display and Information System
The American Club
American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) was established in New York in 1917. It is the only mutual Protection and Indemnity Club domiciled in the entire Americas and its headquarters are in New York, USA.
The American Club has been successful in recent years in building on its US heritage to create a truly international insurer with a global reach second-to-none in the industry. Day to day management of the American Club is provided by Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. also headquartered in New York.
The Club is able to provide local service for its members across all time zones, communicating in eleven languages, and has subsidiary offices located in London, Piraeus, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Houston, plus a worldwide network of correspondents.
The Club is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs, a collective of thirteen mutuals which together provide Protection and Indemnity insurance for some 90% of all world shipping.
The American Club also operates a fixed premium facility, Eagle Ocean Marine (EOM), aimed at the operators of smaller vessels in local and regional trades. Since it commenced underwriting in 2011 with its coventurers at Lloyd’s, EOM has enjoyed considerable success in building a growing footprint in this specialist market and generating strong profitability for both the Club and its co-insuring partners.
American Hellenic Hull Insurance Company, Ltd. (AHHIC) is a wholly-owned, Solvency-II accredited hull and war risk subsidiary of the Club, based in Cyprus. Since it began operating in mid-2016, AHHIC has enjoyed an increasing market presence throughout the world.
For more information, please visit the Club’s website http://www.american-club.com/
The EU-co-funded project creates new connections for freight and passenger transport and optimises hinterland connections in the southern Baltic Sea region
Hamburg, 2 November 2021 – The transnational project “South Baltic Transport Loops” (SBTL), supported by the European Union and initially developed by Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) recently held its closing conference in Copenhagen. Aimed at assisting in the development of smaller and medium-sized ports in the region, a number of significant new sea connections have resulted.
The main focus of the partners in the project, the ports of Elblag, Karlshamn, Mukran and Roenne, and the Klaipeda Shipping Research Centre is developing and implementing new regular services and ship connections for container, bulk and general cargo transport, and ferry services. Attention is also being placed on improving the intermodal hinterland connections of the ports. Representatives of the project partners presented their results at the closing conference in Copenhagen on 28 September.
HPC developed the project in 2016, applied for funding and has been coordinating it since 2018. Dr Olaf Zeike, Senior Consultant at HPC and the project manager in charge, takes positive stock: “With the activities promoted by the SBTL project, the course has been set for sustainable development of the partner ports in the southern Baltic Sea region. Despite Corona-related delays, we can be proud of the team effort that has been achieved across the countries involved in the project.” The list of innovations and improvements is impressive.
A total of three new connections in cargo transport have been established so far: to build the “Baltic Sea Bridge” for container transport between Europe and China, a regular connection was set up to run several times a week between the port of Mukran (Saßnitz) on the island of Rügen and Baltysk. The latter belongs to the Russian Kaliningrad region and allows for a connection to the New Silk Road by rail from and to Xi’an, China.
The creation of a new connection between Mukran and Karlshamn in February 2021 also provided the southern Swedish port with access to the New Silk Road. “Large investments are being made to strengthen and expand the transport corridor between Sweden and Eastern Europe/CIS/China via Karlshamn,” says Ulf Sandevärn, Marketing Manager, Port of Karlshamn.
New ferry connections have been established between the southern Swedish ports of Ystad and Mukran, which will serve in responding to an expected increase in tourism with up to two departures daily in the summer, bearing particular relevance for passenger traffic and tourism.
Between Roenne on the island of Bornholm and Mukran, it was possible to switch to a year-round ferry service and increase the number of weekly departures. “The connection to Mukran has strengthened the central importance of the Port of Roenne as Bornholm’s supply port,” says Maja Felicia Bendtsen, Chief Business Officer – Bulk, Port of Roenne.
As regards the ferry service between Karlshamn and Klaipeda, Lithuania, in addition to an increase in frequency, port capacity has also been extended and prepared for the use of larger ferries.
“At the Port of Elblag, extensive preparatory work was carried out for the future development of the port upon completion of the new canal between the Baltic Sea and the Vistula Lagoon,” explains Arkadiusz Zglinski, Director of the Port of Elblag.
“The southern Baltic Sea region is developing very quickly, and it is important that the forecast of passenger and cargo flows is as accurate as possible,” says Prof. Vytautas Paulauskas of the Klaipeda Shipping Research Centre, who has been analysing traffic flows in the region.
In terms of improving hinterland connections, bus lines to the ports of Karlshamn and Mukran have been optimised. The railway hinterland connection for container transport to and from the ports of Karlshamn and Mukran has also been improved.
“Mukran is the closest German port to Sweden, Bornholm, Finland, Russia and the Baltic States and serves as a gateway to Western Europe,” says Helmut Seilert, Senior Manager Business Development & Logistics, Fährhafen Sassnitz GmbH. “Thanks to the project, the improved hinterland connection for freight transport enables green transport by rail from the Baltic Sea to numerous destinations in Germany and to Rotterdam.”
The South Baltic Transport Loops project has been funded by the Interreg South Baltic programme, which utilises funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Interreg is one of the European Union’s (EU) main instruments for promoting cross-border cooperation through project funding. The programme aims to find common solutions in the areas of transport and sustainability, among others. For example, projects funded under the heading “Blue Growth” address the economic potential of the Baltic Sea for economic growth and employment along the coasts of the Baltic Sea.
“The SBTL project has vividly filled the Interreg programme priorities with life,” Olaf Zeike concludes. “Together, the project partners have worked towards sustainable, innovative solutions that are attractive for business and tourism in the region and promote cooperation.”
For more information, visit www.southbaltictransportloops.EU
About HPC
Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) 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 1,700 projects across 130 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 and mathematicians. As a subsidiary of the Hamburg Port and Logistics Corporation (HHLA), HPC has its roots in port handling of container, break bulk and multipurpose, as well as hinterland operations. www.hamburgportconsulting.com
~ For the Future with Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships ~
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) announced that they have concluded a co-development contract for “AI (Artificial Intelligence)-based Marine Machinery Operation Support System” (hereinafter referred to as “the System”) that is expected to be part of the core technology to achieve autonomous vessel operation in the future. The System will have such functions as failure prediction/ diagnostics, CBM (Condition-Based Maintenance), and optimum operation support, based on the data analytics of marine machinery operation data using AI.
In view of safer operations at sea, improvement of working environment for seafarers, and higher pressure for industrial competitiveness, the expectations for autonomous operations for ships is increasingly growing these days. Through this co-development project, they aim to complete the System by combining “K” Line’s extensive data on vessel operation and marine machinery operation collected from Kawasaki-Integrated Marine Solutions*1 and its years of experiences in operation and maintenance of onboard machinery, and KHI’s technology and expertise in building ships and propulsion plants, and by having AI learn these data and knowledge.
The System manages not only a specific piece of equipment but marine machinery onboard as a whole, including main engine and power generator. In developing the System, we will first target those vessels with diesel propulsion plants, and then those with various types of propulsion systems such as steam turbines and electronic propulsion systems in the next phase. The System will be beneficial for crew onboard as well as ship management personnel on land, providing useful information on failure predictions and failure diagnostics. This not only enables users to prevent major engine troubles from occurring but also assists planning effective maintenance schedule and advises optimum engine operation based on the condition of plants, ultimately to improve fuel consumption and to contribute to the greenhouse gas reduction.
Preferred Networks, Inc.*2 known for their cutting-edge technologies on deep-learning and machine-learning, is joining us in developing the “Marine AI,” the core of the System that executes failure prediction and operation condition diagnostics.
The Marine AI will be implemented both onboard and in the cloud system. The one onboard learns the vessel’s operation data and uses them to diagnose on a real-time basis. The one in the cloud system periodically collects the data accumulated on each vessel, and centrally uses them for further learning, allowing itself to become smarter and offer failure prediction and diagnostics as well as optimum operation support for any type of vessels. A proof-of-concept has been established for the core technology of the Marine AI for failure prediction and diagnostics. With abundant data collected from various ships via Kawasaki-Integrated Marine Solutions, as well as such data obtained from the latest sensors that were not available before, “K” Line and KHI will further proceed on developing the Marine AI that is versatile enough to be applied for any types of vessels.
Both “K” Line and KHI are innovators, fully utilizing their expertise in maritime transport and shipbuilding, collaborating with entities from other industries with their special knowledge and technologies to accelerate system development so that they will achieve autonomous vessel operation for the future. “K” Line and KHI will contribute to accomplish safer operations at sea, improved working environment for seafarers, and higher competitiveness in the marine industry.
Notes
*1. Kawasaki-Integrated Marine Solutions is an ICT system for vessels that allows ship operation management, condition monitoring, performance analysis, and others from management office on land, using ship-land communication network.
Released on June 28, 2016: Joint development project of “K-IMS”; Integrated vessel operation and performance management system
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/other/other3295047094663452046.html
Released on December 4, 2019: Completed Additional Development (Phase-2) of “Kawasaki Integrated Maritime Solutions”
https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/other/20191204EN/main/0/link/20191204EN.pdf
*2. Preferred Networks, Inc. was founded in March 2014, and has been making progressive advancement to achieve the application of machine learning and deep learning to industry in collaboration with leading companies of many different fields, including transportation system, manufacturing industries, and bio-healthcare since then. As part of the areas of machine learning/ deep learning application, Preferred Networks has been employing their cutting-edge technology for failure prediction of industrial equipment based on anomaly detection using time-series data and operation optimization of factory plants.
The logistics provider obtains 100 percent of its electricity worldwide from renewable sources; it will quadruple the amount of green electricity it generates itself using photovoltaic systems.
Kempten, October 28, 2021 – As of January 1, 2022, Dachser will be purchasing only electricity generated from renewable resources. This means that the logistics provider, which operates 387 of its own locations in 42 countries, is increasing its proportion of green power from around 60 percent to 100 percent. In Germany and the Netherlands, the family-owned company had already switched to green power beforehand. In addition, Dachser will significantly step up its in-house generation of renewable energy and, as a first step, is installing and expanding photovoltaic systems on the roofs of its European logistics facilities and office buildings. By 2025, its current capacity will more than quadruple, to over 20,000 kWp of installed capacity.
“We’re implementing two basic building blocks of our climate protection strategy by switching to purchasing electricity solely from wind, solar, and hydropower worldwide, while also expanding our own production of green electricity,” explains Stefan Hohm, Chief Development Officer (CDO) at Dachser. “These actions are reducing our carbon footprint. At the same time, our demand strengthens the production of green power and contributes to the expansion of capacity in Europe for generating electricity from renewable sources.”
Long-term climate protection strategy
Efficiency, innovation, and inclusive responsibility: these are the cornerstones of Dachser’s long-term climate protection strategy. The family-owned company’s initiatives aim at efficient logistics processes, energy savings, and technological innovation. Dachser believes this is the best way to limit GHG in line with the 2-degree target set by the Paris Agreement as well as the climate protection targets of the European Union and many other countries. To this end, the company works together with customers and partners who are also keen to actively shape how logistics moves to adopt low- and zero-emission technologies. Employees too are closely involved in climate protection activities, with a commitment to society and social issues that goes beyond Dachser’s own direct business interests.
About Dachser:
Dachser, a family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, provides transport logistics, warehousing, and customised services in two business fields: Dachser Air & Sea Logistics and Dachser Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: Dachser European Logistics and Dachser Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s range. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.
Thanks to some 30,800 employees at 387 locations all over the globe, Dachser generated consolidated net revenue of approximately EUR 5.6 billion in 2020. The same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 78.6 million shipments weighing 39.8 million metric tons. Dachser is represented by its own country organisations in 42 countries on five continents. For more information about Dachser, please visit www.dachser.com
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and IBM Japan, Ltd. (IBM Japan) have conducted a field trial with the objective of improving work quality by strengthening the safety management of cargo handling. Internet of Things (IoT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI) were utilized to collect and analyze information on driving of vehicles during operation in cargo holds, positional information of vehicles and workers, and vital information of workers.
The field trial verified the restriction of driving speed of vehicles, prevention of contact between vehicles and workers, prevention of collisions of vehicles, and collection of vital information of workers. Specifically, with the cooperation of a stevedoring company, beacons (positional information sensors), surveillance cameras, and speed measurement equipment were installed on the cargo deck to collect data. Furthermore, AI-based image recognition technology (Note*) was used to separate vehicles and workers based on camera images to determine the status of their proximity. In addition, heart rates data were obtained from wearable devices (Note*) and based on analyzed data by algorithm to ascertain trends in driver stress. The aim is to improve work quality by strengthening the safety management of cargo handling by analyzing this diverse and complex data and visualizing the number and condition of speed violations and near-miss incidents in the vessel.
IBM Cloud, which is secure and has a track record in many companies as a data platform, was used for data analysis. IBM Japan created IBM®︎ Maximo Monito, a solution for remote monitoring, on IBM Cloud to provide real-time visualization of large data sets, AI-based anomaly detection, and a configurable dashboard. This solution enabled the collection, management, and analysis of sensor information, and data scientists played a central role in supporting tasks such as IoT application design and data analysis.
“K” LINE will conduct further verification aimed at practical implementation based on the results of this field trial.
“K” LINE aims to establish a world-leading safe operation system, with contribution to people living well and prosperously under its corporate philosophy as an integrated logistics group. In order to further strengthen safety management in the car carrier business, “K” LINE believes it is important to further utilize digital technologies such as IoT and AI.
“K” LINE has also been engaged in strengthening communication infrastructure. The “CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN,” a next-generation environmentally friendly car carrier, was delivered to “K” LINE in March 2021, equipped with significantly improved facilities for communication within the vessel and between the vessel and land. By adopting a variety of environmental measures and digital technologies, “K” LINE will remain committed to the improvement of safety, the environment, and quality as a key issue it faces.
Reference
March 12, 2021 release: Delivery of Next-generation Environmentally Friendly Car Carrier Fueled by LNG “CENTURY HIGHWAY GREEN” https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/car/car753727087818379669/main/0/link/210312EN1.pdf