ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) has made a major input to the latest comprehensive study of UK seas: Charting Progress 2.   ABPmer, in association with EFTEC (Economics for the Environment Consultancy Ltd), prepared the chapter on Productive Seas which explored the economic value of the full range of human activities in the marine area and the pressures and environmental impacts associated with these activities.

Charting Progress 2 is the result of a five-year study into how human uses and other pressures, such as climate change are affecting our seas.  In particular, it pulls together evidence from across the scientific community to measure the progress we have made towards achieving healthy and biologically diverse oceans and seas since the first Charting Progress report in 2005.

The report looks in detail at how climate change has increased sea levels and temperatures and what impacts that change is having on the marine environment; the changes in the habitats and species in our seas; levels of pollution; and marine industries impacting on marine ecosystems.

Bromma, continues to expand its fleet of spreaders at Malta Freeport in the growing Mediterranean region.  Bromma currently has 50 GREENLINE™ spreaders in service at Malta Freeport, an early purchaser of Bromma all-electric spreaders. Malta Freeport has also been an early adopter of Bromma STS45E all-electric quay crane twin-lift spreaders. Today Malta Freeport has 6 Bromma GREENLINE separating STS spreaders in service.

In part, Malta Freeport’s decision to specify all-electric STS45E spreaders is due to the advantages of advanced Bromma SCS3 technology. As Mr. Rutter says:

“The communications protocols developed by Bromma looked so good. I mean, if you had a choice between a 2-wire system and 48 core spreader cables, which would you choose? You choose 2-wire, obviously. Anyone can see that it costs you a lot, lot less, plus you have a lot more flexibility.”

A unique website, www.onshorepowersupply.org has recently been launched by the Onshore Power Supply working group within World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI). The website offers practical and useful information and calculation tools about OPS for seagoing vessels as a measure to improve air quality in and around port, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and noise. The website is targeted particularly at port authorities, terminal operators and shipping companies considering introduction or expansion of the technology.

The Port of Gothenburg is the manager of the project in which the ports of Amsterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg as well as the IAPH (International Association Ports & Harbors) Europe Office participate. The aim of the project is to stimulate ports, terminal operators and shipping lines worldwide to implement the technology of OPS where practical and useful.

See also:
http://www.wpci.nl/articles/onshore_power_supply_site.php

A new service developed to help operators demonstrate enhanced environmental performance to cargo owners and other stakeholders.  Lloyd’s Register is now offering a verification service to shipowners and operators wishing to demonstrate their success in reducing the environmental impact of their activities beyond the requirements of classification or statutory rules and regulations. The service is cost effective and can be delivered with minimal interruption to ship operations.

 The verification service is approved by the Clean Shipping Project, the organisation that developed the Clean Shipping Index. More than 1,000 ships have been entered into their Clean Shipping Index database. Verification is the logical next step to provide assurance to all involved: ship operators with confidence that the Clean Shipping Index provides a level playing field; and cargo owners and shippers with confidence that the values can be used when purchasing shipping.

The Clean Shipping Index is a tool that takes into account significant environmental impacts of shipping, such as emissions to air and water, use of chemicals, effects of antifouling etc. The index is used to rank ships or shipping companies in a database according to the aspects that are most relevant to the user. So, a cargo owner seeking shipping companies with high environmental performance can focus and assess the criteria that matter to them, identifying criteria such as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, or other issues such as use of biodegradable oils.

26 April – Oslo, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), managed to cut its green house gas emissions by 32% last year.   The company also cut its sulphur dioxide emissions (SO2) emissions by 135,000 tonnes in a nine year period from 2000 to 2009, an amount nearly equal to all the SO2 emissions from road vehicles in the United States for an entire year*.

“Even in times of global economic crisis, we must continue to build value for our customers,” declared Arild B. Iversen, CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. “An efficient supply chain, with reduced environmental risks in every possible step, is one of the surest ways to cut costs while benefitting the environment.”

The figures cited above are contained in the company's 2009 Environmental and Social Responsibility Report (www.2wglobal.com/esr), the shipping industry’s first emissions inventory report to receive 3rd party verification that it conforms to the accounting requirements of ISO 14064-1 and The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol).

Melanie Moore, Global Head of Environment and Quality, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics commented, “We are working hard to minimise our environmental footprint by working closely with our customers to reduce their carbon risk in the supply chain while creating real economic and brand value.

“There are many environmental challenges that we need to confront, but we will continue to be bold enough to address them by ensuring we remain an environmental forerunner,” Ms. Moore concluded.

April 22 - The maritime world is discovering Onshore Power Supply (OPS) technology and now the best of knowledge is gathered on one specific website. “Sustainability is definitely on the agenda now and the interest for the OPS technology is constantly growing. Our goal with this website is to make sure that the best and most up to date information within this area of interest is available in one place, for everyone and at any time” says Susann Dutt, Coordinator of the OPS project within the World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI) and Environmental Controller at the Port of Gothenburg.  OPS enables vessels at berth to replace onboard generated power from diesel auxiliary engines with electricity supplied by the shore, and thereby reducing emissions and noise.

The website offers practical and useful information and calculation tools about OPS for seagoing vessels as a measure to improve air quality in and around ports, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and noise. The website is targeted particularly at port authorities, terminal operators and shipping companies considering introduction or expansion of the technology.

The Port of Gothenburg was the manager of the project in which the ports of Amsterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg as well as the IAPH (International Association Ports & Harbours) Europe Office participated. The project's aim is to stimulate ports, terminal operators and shipping lines worldwide to implement the technology of OPS where practical and useful.  “We have worked hard and put many hours into this project so it is very satisfying that the website is now going live. A large number of organisations around the world have given their input and support. We are very thankful for the interest everyone has shown” says Susann Dutt.

A questionnaire carried out by the WPCI shows a serious interest in OPS capabilities. More than half of the respondents are either in the process of, or have already, carried out a feasibility study into the sustainability of the technology for use in their ports. The result from the questionnaire is available on the website.

The OPS website is available at www.ops.wpci.nl and www.onshorepowersupply.org
Information about World Ports Climate Initiative, www.wpci.nl

For more information, please contact
Fer van de Laar, IAPH Europe +31 180 32 33 99, This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Susann Dutt, Port of Gothenburg, +46 31 731 29 63 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky, Jr. announced that the Port of Los Angeles has received the Chairman’s Earth Day Award for innovation and environmental leadership in developing and implementing its Clean Truck Program.  This is the first annual award given by the FMC Chairman for the nation’s top leaders on environmental issues in the ocean shipping industry.

“Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz and their team have shown real leadership in developing a Clean Truck program that, as the centerpiece of the Port’s Clean Air Action Plan, combines incentives with accountability to make our nation’s busiest liner shipping port complex more sustainable,” said Chairman Lidinsky. 

Chairman Lidinsky noted that in the first year since the Clean Truck Program began operating in October 2008, it reduced truck emissions at the Port of Los Angeles by 70 percent.  The 6,600 clean trucks, including 600 natural gas trucks, that are now operating at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will reduce particulate emissions by more than 30 tons per year, the equivalent of removing nearly 250,000 automobiles from Southern California’s highways for a year.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have opened nominations for the Third Annual CAAP Air Quality Awards.  The awards program provides the ports with an opportunity to recognize the exemplary efforts of port operators who go beyond the requirements of the CAAP.  Nominations are due by May 14, 2010, and award recipients will be recognized this summer.

Nominations are now being accepted for port tenants operating at either the Port of Los Angeles or the Port of Long Beach, and other operators that serve the ports (e.g. shipping lines, trucking companies, rail operators) who have demonstrated, during the previous calendar year (2009), a strong commitment to reducing air pollution from port-related sources above and beyond the CAAP goals.  Only port tenants and other operators that serve the ports are eligible for this program; technology vendors are not eligible.  Self-nominations will also be accepted.

Awards will be offered in four categories:

Air Quality Improvement Leadership at the Corporate Level
Innovative Air Quality Improvement Technologies (demonstration, commercialization, implementation)
Innovative Operations that Improve Air Quality
Significant Early Action to Reduce Air Pollutant Emissions
Additionally, the ports may select a nomination that does not fit one of the above categories if the nominee's actions resulted in a significant air quality improvement benefit.

Nominations are due by 4 p.m., May 14, 2010. 

April 12 - APM Terminals’ Chief Commercial Officer Richard Mitchell spoke April 12th at the opening session of the Twelfth Annual Global Liner Conference in London about the container port industry and opportunities in 2010.

“The port industry and liner industry are closely intertwined and facing extraordinary times. In the good old days, markets were growing 10-15% every year. Last year, we witnessed the first ever decline in global container port volumes – estimated at 10%.  Volumes were hit in the developed world and in Eastern Europe, while Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East fared best. Now – in the new normal – markets will grow slower. The opportunities are different now, there’s more uncertainty and slower growth in mature markets compared to emerging markets”, observed Mitchell. “Emerging markets offer higher growth opportunities than developed markets in 2010 since their decline in 2009 was not as severe – and they’re expected to recover faster.  It’s also important to note – emerging markets have the highest levels of potential growth as the wealth of individuals improves in emerging nations over time”, he added.

The Australian Marine Environment  Protection Association (AUSMEPA), like all other marine environmental organisations and associations, is very concerned at the grounding of the 65,000 tonne coal carrier Shen Neng 1 in the pristine waters in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef and the potential for environmental harm from the grounding, including the possible break up of the vessel and the release of the 950 tonnes of bunker oil.

A spill of this magnitude of bunker oil is often far more serious in terms of the harm it can cause the environment than the loss of many thousands of tonnes of light crude oil, carried as cargo in tankers.

While Australia’s National Plan to combat pollution of the sea was quickly brought into action including aerial chemical dispersant spraying, we are still to hear of the Salvage Master’s plan to refloat the vessel and if necessary the possible transfer of the bunker oil to another vessel. This will clearly take some time to evaluate.

While a number of uninformed people are jumping to demand extending further south the current mandatory pilotage scheme which operates from Cairns to Torres Strait. Firstly such a requirement would need to be justified and secondly it would take many years to implement, including obtaining international approval. At this stage based on many previous studies this is not warranted in this region of the Great Barrier Reef where navigation is not sufficiently complex to require a pilot.

23 March 2010 – With its new hybrid drive, Gottwald Port Technology GmbH, demonstrates that improved energy efficiency contributes to both the economical and environmentally compatible operation of Mobile Harbour Cranes. This technology uses state-of-the-art diesel generators in connection with dynamic brake resistors and short-term energy storage to achieve fuel savings in the double-digit percentage range.

This is shown by the results of comprehensive tests carried out with a diesel-electric Model 6 crane, completed by Gottwald, the only manufacturer of Mobile Harbour Cranes with electric drive technology. The result is that Gottwald is able to improve the efficiency of Mobile Harbour Cranes which cannot be hooked up to an external power supply due to the quay infrastructure, which empowers terminal operators to sustainably reduce fuel consumption, fuel costs and exhaust gas emissions. By the same token, Gottwald makes
it possible for terminal operators to position themselves in a strong position when it comes to negotiating terminal concessions.

Cargotec has received an order from DP World Callao for two Kalmar DRF450 reachstackers and two Kalmar DCE80 empty container handlers. DP World trusted that Cargotec would quickly deliver reliable and productive equipment for its brand new terminal operations in Peru. The machines were ordered in quarter four 2009 with delivery occurring in quarter one 2010.

 "We are very pleased to work with DP World and its associated partners in global terminal operations," says Paul Michon, Cargotec's Director of Global Key Account DP World. "They appreciate the durability and well-proven concept of our Kalmar container handling equipment, in addition to Cargotec's professional and flexible approach."

Kalmar counterbalance machines have been proven workhorses for DP World over the years. Its units are built with first-class components and engineered with environment care taken into consideration. DP World Callao's new Kalmar DRF-series reachstackers feature increased load capacities of 45 tonnes in the first row, 30 tonnes in the second row and 15 tonnes in the third row.

March 16 - The Port of Helsinki presented the European Cruise Council (ECC) with the Green Attitude Recognition in Miami. The Recognition is for active partnership in developing an environmentally friendly port.

Regarding the Baltic Sea Challenge the cities of Helsinki and Turku made an appeal for improvement of the state of the Baltic Sea last year. The measures presented in the Baltic Sea Challenge commitment aim to decrease the burden on coastal waters and the entire Baltic Sea caused by the functions of the cities Helsinki and Turku themselves. One of the aims is to promote the practice of discharging waste water from passenger ships to city sewer system.

ECC committed to the challenge and with all of their 23 members made the commitment to discharge their waste water to the Helsinki city sewer. Another example of ECCs environmental responsibility was the Green Cruise Day organized last spring. During that day the cruise companies presented their solutions to decrease the environmental impact on cruise ships to decision-makers, environmental authorities and people living near the port.

In doing so ECC has shown not only that they respect and care about the environment but also willingness to cooperate and striving to find good mutual solutions. ECC takes its environmental responsibility seriously and set a great example to everyone.   The Port of Helsinki strives to minimize harmful environmental impacts on marine life with its customers and wants to actively contribute to the protection of the highly sensitive Baltic Sea area. The port has good wastewater reception facilities and does not charge any wastewater fees, so discharging wastewater in the Helsinki sewer system does not place any financial burden to anyone.

March 15 – The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) has concluded a productive AGM and Member’s Meeting with the establishment of two working groups to lead the Association’s safety and environmental initiatives.

“PEMA’s Safety and Environmental Committees have a crucial role to play in further establishing the Association's knowledge platforms both for our members and the wider industry community,” says PEMA President, Ottonel Popesco. Hannu Oja, Director Port Technology for crane manufacturer Konecranes, has been selected to chair PEMA’s Safety Committee. Stephan Johansson, Director R&D Lift Trucks & Reachstackers for cargo handling solutions provider Cargotec, will chair the Environmental Committee.

With more than 50 delegates attending, the two-day event was PEMA’s largest gathering to date, offering many opportunities for information exchange and informal networking. Guest speakers Henrik Kristensen, Senior Director Corporate Social Responsibility, and Morten Mortensen, Head of Procurement, for APM Terminals updated attendees on the terminal operator’s global approach to safety and the environment and the impact for port equipment suppliers.

With a collection of blue-chip customers already signed up, even before any final landscaping has been added, Great Yarmouth's new outer harbour at EastPort UK, offers a promising start having just opened eatlier this year.
        
PSA International, along with Gleadell Agricultural Ltd, one of the UK's leading grain businesses, and Stema Shipping (UK) Ltd, one of Northern Europe's largest supplies of crushed rock, have all agreed to a long-term commitment to the multi-purpose outer harbour.  And others are lining up.

With Great Yarmouth already the principal port in England for offshore support, the outer harbour will give a huge boost to operations, increasing capacity and range of activities and is exceptionally well placed to service the ' East Anglia Array' wind farm development off Great Yarmouth.

Geographically, it has a head start over other eastern UK ports, being the closest deep sea port (outer harbour dredged to 10m) to mainland Europe, and its accessibility to the heart of the country, equals the best.

March 10 - Acknowledging its corporate role in the forefront as the international trade and transportation industry works to develop the foundation for a sustainable global container transportation system, Evergreen Marine Corporation/ Evergreen Line today launched its environmental excellence website http://www.evergreen-line.com/enviro

The new site highlights the company's role since its founding in 1968 as environmentally, socially, economically and commercially responsible and viable.

Said Evergreen Group's Vice Group Chairman Bronson Hsieh, who is also Chairman of Evergreen Marine Corporation, "We recognize the obligation to conduct affairs as a constructive corporate member of society and have established an occupational Safety, Quality and Environmental Protection Management System for our cargo ships (Container Carriers) and our shore-based personnel."

The global carrier, fourth largest containership operator in the world, oversees more than 100 vessels that call at over 50 ports worldwide on six continents. "As a worldwide provider of cargo shipping services and our role as well in the shore side communities, our responsibility to ensure a green earth is compelling," he said.

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Transport companies can gain competitive advantage by adding sustainable solutions and capabilities to their services as volume returns to the market, says Erik Van Baaren, senior transport industry analyst at independent business analyst, Datamonitor.

 Erik Van Baaren comments: “With end consumers demanding more and more sustainable products, retailers will be seeking to achieve better environmental standards across the supply chain. 

 “However, our latest report* estimates that carbon emissions from the transport sector will increase by over 12% in the next five years compared to 2008 levels, even after the huge volume losses sustained last year. Organisations will therefore have to find innovative solutions to stay competitive

 “Collaborations between retailers, manufacturers and logistics service providers through combining resources and co-sharing can help to achieve efficiencies in the supply chain and reduce the overall environmental impact of the transport industry. However, assuming that a return to growth in freight and parcel volumes will occur in the next five years, efficiencies will have to be realised through either shifting cargo to more environmentally friendly means, or by reducing the intensity of vehicles within respective modes of transport.

Stockholm, Sweden –APM Terminals Head of Health, Safety Security and Environment (HSSE) and CSR, Henrik Kristensen detailed APM Terminals’ Safety Culture implementation and approach which have established new standards of safety performance for the container industry while addressing the 2nd ICHCA Safe Cargo Handling Seminar in Stockholm, held prior to the GreenPort 2010 Conference

In the broadest measure of workplace safety, the APM Terminals Global Terminal Network saw the Lost-Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) rate fall by 42% in 2009 to 4.1 LTIF per million man-hours worked- the lowest of any major terminal operating company.

                                              

 “Safety is becoming an integrated part of our DNA as a company” said Kristensen, who pointed out that as recently as five years ago the LTIF rate for APM Terminals was 32.5. In absolute terms, injuries have declined from 890 recorded in 2006 (when the LTIF-rate had dropped to 15) to 330 reported in 2009. Conversely, “near-miss” incident reports, in which accidents or injury due to hazardous circumstances have been narrowly avoided are recorded so that steps can be taken to eliminate any potential dangers in the workplace, rose to 10,151 in 2009, up from 1,800 in 2006 and 2,600 in 2008. This statistic illustrates the aggressive new mind-set found throughout the workforce for identifying and addressing risk, and sharing Best Practices with other facilities both within and outside of APM Terminals.