SPARX Logistics brings you the developments, trends, and ecological perspectives from December 2023 to april 2024, aiming to strengthen and create more sustainable supply chains. These efforts align with the measures and solutions our company has implemented to enhance sustainability in our clients' logistics and supply chains.
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Proposals in the Shipping Sector.
In recent years, shipping companies and ports have individually and collectively implemented ecological measures to achieve global decarbonization goals. The following are the latest ecological updates and proposals aiming to reform supply chains:
The CEOs of leading global shipping lines (Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen) issued a joint statement at COP 28, held from November 30 to December 13, 2023, calling for a deadline to cease building ships powered solely by fossil fuels and urging the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create regulatory conditions and accelerate the transition to green fuels.
Pacific International Lines (PIL) and DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). In the short term, the parties will collaborate on trial shipments between Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and destinations within PIL's network. This will involve using PIL's biofuel-powered vessels, their refueling, and deploying container handling equipment at terminals powered by renewable energy. In the long term, expanding this partnership to include other ports within DP World's global network and exploring other alternative fuels will be considered.
CMA CGM, Cosco Shipping, Evergreen, and OOCL extended the Ocean Alliance agreement until 2032, characterized by a commitment to sustainability. Notably, CMA CGM, aligned with its Net Zero target for 2050, is already implementing solutions to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport and plans to operate over 120 eco-friendly container ships by 2027, some of which are already in service within the Ocean Alliance network.
Maersk announced that all its facilities, new and existing, will consider implementing energy-efficient technologies and achieve third-party certifications like LEED Gold or BREEAM Excellent. Meanwhile, its facilities in Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Panama are equipped with fully electric lithium-ion forklifts and LED lighting. Additionally, the Cajamar fulfillment center in Brazil is LEED Platinum certified, featuring solar panels, rainwater recovery, waste management systems, thermal insulation, and lithium-ion material handling equipment.
Christoph Thiem, Director of Strategic Asset Projects at Hapag-Lloyd, highlighted in a recent interview that the shipping company aims to power its vessels in the future with fuels produced from electricity generated by renewable sources like wind energy.
Chinese shipyards constructed over 50% of the world's vessels in the first 11 months of 2023. However, China aims to develop a new generation of ships that burn cleaner fuels. The country targets constructing over half of the world's vessels powered by low-carbon fuels by 2025, including liquefied natural gas and green methanol.
Tommi Jarvinen, Commercial Director of Danish company Avista Green, emphasized that using re-refined base lubricants in manufacturing lubricants for maritime and cylinder sectors is crucial to reducing companies' carbon footprint and improving fuel efficiency in ship engines. Vladimir Dhondt, a member of the United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA), suggested that using re-refined base lubricants could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 85-90%.
Evergreen formalized a memorandum of agreement with X-Press Feeders, agreeing to mobilize Evergreen containers on X-Press Feeders' 14 new dual-fuel green methanol vessels planned to operate in Europe. As implementation progresses, these vessels, scheduled for delivery from the second quarter of 2024 to mid-2026, will operate throughout Europe and the Mediterranean.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Maersk's "ANE MAERSK," a 16,592 TEU vessel, began operating—the first large vessel with dual-fuel methanol propulsion by Maersk.
During COP28, APM Terminals and DP World announced the formation of the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA), a strategic coalition aiming to increase adoption of electric battery-powered container handling equipment (CHE) across the industry and catalyze further emissions reductions in ports.
APM Terminals and Hateco Haiphong International Container Terminal (HHIT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hateco Group, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on port automation and green logistics development at the Haiphong terminal in Vietnam.
In summary, the recent initiatives of shipping companies, ports, and maritime sector companies reflect a clear commitment to decarbonization and sustainability. These actions range from the transition to eco-friendly fuels and the implementation of efficient technologies to strategic alliances aimed at developing cleaner and automated port infrastructures. The global momentum towards a greener maritime supply chain is evident, with a focus on emission reduction and innovation for a more sustainable future.
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