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US National Freight Data Portal One Step Closer to Reality

In its recently released Supply Chain Assessment of the Transportation Industrial Base: Freight and Logistics, the U.S. Department of

US National Freight Data Portal One Step Closer to Reality

Efforts to develop international standards for the sharing and use of digital information throughout the supply chain took a significant step forward at a joint meeting of the Supply Chain Optimization and Resilience (SCORe) Coalition and global standards organization ASTM International in Long Beach, California.

A group of public and private sector stakeholders – including John D. Porcari, Port Envoy to the Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Commissioner Carl Bentzel, the U.S. Department of Commerce, MARAD, senior leadership of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and representatives of the supply chain – agreed that there was a strong market and governmental need for enhanced standards exchange and use of digital information in the supply chain.

Such standards would serve as building blocks for a National Freight Data Portal that would enable global supply chain data exchange, relieving port and supply chain congestion and improving trade competitiveness.

In its recently released Supply Chain Assessment of the Transportation Industrial Base: Freight and Logistics, the U.S. Department of Transportation recommended creation of such a portal, noting the importance of greater standardization and interoperability of data for improving end-to-end visibility and increasing effective throughput capacity of the supply chain.

“I’m very pleased with industry’s willingness to partner, share data, and develop new information that will help the goods movement chain operate more efficiently,” said Porcari.

“I encourage the private sector to continue moving toward consensus around data sharing needs. Industry can concurrently advance data standards work while working closely with the Department of Transportation and FMC.”

International standards developed at ASTM can underpin a National Freight Data Portal, while also having relevance and applicability for global supply chains.

Based on the results of the event, a meeting will be called to officially organize the committee and recommend to the ASTM Board the establishment of a new Technical Committee to develop these standards.

Len Morrissey, Director of Global Business Development and Strategy for ASTM International commented: “We are very excited to be part of this important effort to help address this global challenge.

“Bringing together all of the diverse stakeholders that comprise the global supply chain to address the issues that we discussed is a complex undertaking but one that plays to ASTM’s strengths as a neutral consensus builder.”

This is the latest in a global supply chain shift to enhanced data sharing through standardization. In November 2021 the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) published interface standards and messaging application programming interface (API) specifications for all 50 event timestamps defined in its port call data definitions.

In October 2021 Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)  fully adopted BIC Facility Codes (BFC) for all depots globally.

FTZ The Port of Melbourne has announced major investments to expand terminal operations at Webb Dock East.

Port of Melbourne Announces Major Investments at Webb Dock East

The Port of Melbourne has announced major investments to expand terminal operations at Webb Dock East.

The port has confirmed that it is working to reduce port congestion, improve efficiency, and accommodate larger ships at Australia’s largest container terminal and general cargo port.

The project will involve demolishing a redundant section of concrete and extending the quay line by 71 metres.

The contract for the works has been awarded to Fitzgerald Construction Australia and completion is scheduled for Q3 2023.

Saul Cannon, CEO of the Port of Melbourne, insists the project is an important part of a 30-year investment strategy, designed to create a more efficient and productive port.

“Now more than ever, we need to make sure we get essential goods delivered to hospitals, businesses, schools, and homes,” said the CEO.

“We are seeing a rising number of larger vessels calling at the port and our current infrastructure at Webb Dock East at times does not allow for two ships to berth at the same time. For example, this project will enable two larger vessels to berth at the same time at this part of the port, reducing wait times for the ships to dock.”

Webb Dock East was initially designed as a two-berth terminal and this project aims to restore its intended design capacity.

“It’s essential that we ensure our infrastructure responds to global trends, and these works at Webb Dock East do that. We’re meeting present needs and also looking to the future to make the right investments on behalf of the Victorian community,” Cannon continued.

The Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) is also mapping out plans to boost efficiency at Webb Dock East.

Tim Vancampen, CEO of VICT, added: “To complement Port of Melbourne’s investment, VICT will also be committing AUD$150 million ($111 million) in infrastructure to support the market with faster vessel turn around and additional slots for our landside customers.

“The $150 million (in this phase) out of a total new investment of AUD$235 million ($173 million) by VICT will include two additional Ship to Shore Cranes (STS), six Auto Container Carriers (ACC) and six Auto Stacking Cranes (ASC), bringing the total STS cranes to seven. The additional infrastructure is expected to be operational in Q3 2023.”

The Container Transport Alliance Australia (CTAA) has welcomed the announcements as it has engaged regularly with VICT senior managements on improvements to landside operations at Webb Dock East.

The Webb Dock East project is the third of nine projects that make up the 2050 Port Development Strategy.

According to the Port of Melbourne, this strategy is key to ensuring it stands ready to accommodate the growing needs of Melbourne and continues to make a major contribution to Victoria’s social and economic prosperity.

“Port of Melbourne delivers around $6 billion in economic benefits to Victoria each year. It’s critical we have the right infrastructure in place to support the economy. What’s good for the port, is good for Victoria, Tasmania, and southeast Australia,” concluded Cannon.

The Port of Melbourne also recently made PTI’s list of ‘Top 5 Ports in Australia 2021’ after a total of 3,278,635 TEU passed through its facilities last year.

A spokesperson from the port told PTI: “Port of Melbourne has continued to operate every day of the year during the pandemic.

“While the port has not been immune to the global supply chain challenges of manufacturing shutdown, container shortages and increased demand for consumer goods, we have worked hard to keep freight moving.

platform SC

US invests $450 million in Port Infrastructure Development Program

The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced nearly $450 million in newly available grants for port-related projects.

The funding is set to be provided through the Port Infrastructure Development Plan (PIDP) and is the largest investment program ever implemented in the US.

These grants seek to help ports across the country expand capacity and improve the movement of goods through the supply chain following mass congestion over the last year.

The funding is made possible through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is nearly double last year’s investment in PIDP for states and port authorities.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will invest $17 billion in ports and waterways.

“We’re proud to announce this funding to help ports improve their infrastructure— to get goods moving more efficiently and help keep costs under control for American families,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

President Biden is leading the largest-ever federal investment in modernising our country’s ports, which will improve our supply chains and the lives of Americans who depend on them.”

These grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that will improve the movement of goods to, through and around ports.

The law calls on applicants to explore ways to include projects that will not just improve goods movement but also strengthen resilience, reduce emissions, and advance environmental justice.

Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley added: “The historic investments made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help remove bottlenecks by enabling ports to expand capacity and improve intermodal connections.

“The grant funds will also create new jobs across the US maritime industry.”

California is one of the worst affected regions in the US for congestion, this led to Governor Gavin Newsom investing $2.3 billion in the states’ ports through his 2022-2023 budget proposal.

The proposal, also known as “The California Blueprint”, aims to enhance operations at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach by addressing recent supply chain challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

demurrage The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has approved the concession of a space in the Port of Sagunto to ZELEROS to carry out a pilot for its hyperloop transport system.

Hyperloop technology to be installed at the Port of Sagunto

The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has approved the concession of a space in the Port of Sagunto to ZELEROS to carry out a pilot for its hyperloop transport system.

The start-up company will soon begin building a prototype of its Sustainable Electric Freight-Forwarder (SELF) autonomous container transport system in the port.

This technology aims help Sagunto decarbonise and automate container movements between terminals.

The PAV’s Board of Directors (BoD) approved the concession of land on 11 February 2022.

The system consists of vehicles guided by rails and propelled by a 100 percent electric linear motor, this can also be operated in a fully automated way.

The Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT) also played a large hand in developing the motor.

Additionally, the prototype will make use of a 100-metre shuttle which will be subjected to several missions to validate the functionality of the overall system.

The Port of Sagunto will provide an ideal location for the mock version as it can bring the technology as close as possible to the final application environment.

“Hyperloop technologies are also applicable to other sectors, such as the port sector, and with this pioneering pilot we will demonstrate and optimise the SELF system, accelerating the path towards its commercialisation that will allow its implementation in ports all over the world,” said David Pistoni, Co-Founder and CEO of ZELEROS.

Aurelio Martínez, President of the PAV, added: “The concession of this space to the Valencian start-up ZELEROS reaffirms Valenciaport’s commitment to innovation.

“Ports are spaces of innovation that host innovative experiences; this is how progress is made towards increasingly sustainable, efficient and safe operations. And of course, with this project, the Port of Sagunto is sending out a clear message of identifying itself as an industrial and innovative enclave of reference in the Mediterranean for future generations.”

The project is supported by the European Eureka-Eurostars programme and is co-founded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and the Polish National Research and Development Centre (NBCR).

Therefore, the ZELEROS system is aligned with the EU Sustainable Development Goals, paving the way towards a low-carbon future.

In other recent news, Valencia port has reaffirmed its place as one of Europe’s biggest ports, handling 5,604,478 TEU in 2021.

These figures demonstrate an increase of 3.25 per cent compared to the port’s performance in 2020 and sees it surpass the yearly results from the Port of Piraeus in Greece, cementing its position as the fourth busiest port in Europe.

Top 5 Ports in Europe 2021

Top 5 Ports in Europe 2021

In Europe, there are over 1,200 ports. For the next installment of PTI’s Top Ports series, we are whittling this down to the top five disruptors in the container sector for 2021.

Following on from our lists of ‘Top 5 Ports in India 2021’ and ‘Top 5 Ports in Australia 2021’, our attention now shifts to Europe.

To accumulate this list, PTI looked at each port’s container handling figures for calendar year 2021 and ranked them accordingly.

5. Port of Piraeus

Kicking off our list is the Port of Piraeus – the largest port in Greece. Port officials recently told PTI that a total of 5.3 million TEU passed through its facilities in 2021.

Situated on the outskirts of Athens, the port boasts several strengths, primarily its strategic position and infrastructure.

COSCO Shipping previously increased its stake in the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA S.A.) by 16 percent after an exchange event for the Letter of Closing II Arrangements was agreed on 25 October 2021.

The acquisition of the additional stake in the port authority raised COSCO’s stake to 67% and marked a milestone in China-Greece cooperation by allowing the Chinese company to facilitate the port’s further development.

Last year also saw Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) deliver three remote-controlled intelligent quay cranes to the Piraeus Container Terminal.

 

These were the first machines in Greece to operate with what ZPMC calls a “smart core”, which enables easier semi-automated container handling operations.

4. Port of Valencia

Last year, the Port of Valencia overtook the Port of Piraeus for the title of Europe’s fourth busiest port.

Overall, Valencia handled over 5.6 million TEU in 2021, up 3.25 percent compared to its performance in 2020.

“These figures show that the Port of Valencia has the beginning of saturation,” said Aurelio Martínez, President of the Port Authority of Valencia (PAV).

“We are close to our maximum capacity of 7.5 million TEU and, when there is a lot of operational cargo, these limitations are already noticeable. That is why the new northern container terminal is essential if we want to continue to be a port of reference in world traffic.”

Due to its strategic location and its dynamic area of influence, the port is a key player in Spain’s foreign trade.

One of the Port of Valencia’s main goals is to become the first port in Europe to use hydrogen technologies to reduce the environmental impact of its operations, aligning with its ‘Valenciaport 2030, zero emissions’ initiative.

Work has recently begun on the construction of its hydrogen supply station which will provide the necessary fuel to equipment across facilities. This plant is set to be located on the north quay, at a site known as Bracet de la Gità or Xità.

3. Port of Hamburg

Taking the next spot on our list is the Port of Hamburg.

Over the last year, the port handled 8.7 million TEU, up 2.2 percent compared to 2020.

As Germany’s largest container port, Hamburg utilizes four container terminals, providing an annual handling capacity of 12 million TEU. Numerous multi-purpose terminals also add to this capacity where conventional general cargo containerized goods are handled.

In September 2021, COSCO Shipping Ports Limited undertook a strategic investment to receive a 35 percent minority share in the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik (HHLA) Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT) in the Port of Hamburg.

Under this agreement, CTT became the “preferred hub” for COSCO services and where cargo flows have been concentrated since.

The port also signed an alliance with the Port of Valencia which sees both parties collaborate in the development of maritime projects, with emphasis on the promotion of hydrogen.

The alliance specifically focuses on projects of clean energy with support from the European Union. Both parties agreed to focus their efforts on hydrogen generation initiatives, storage stations, supply and transport, and the use of hydrogen in terminals and machinery.

2. Port of Antwerp

Just shy of the top ranking is the Port of Antwerp in Belgium.

In 2021, the port reportedly processed over 12 million TEU, despite facing several disruptions in the global supply chain.

“Despite the strong performance, 2021 was not an easy year for our port. Thanks to the resilience and world-renowned qualities of our port community, we have returned to the 2019 pre-COVID-19 [levels] after barely a year,” said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO for the Port of Antwerp.

Located in Flanders, the seaport is in the heart of Europe and easily accessible by major vessels.

Back in October 2021, Antwerp partnered with aerospace company Sabca to conduct field trials of a fixed-wing drone fitted with cameras to assess the technology’s potential in providing real-time on-site security imaging.

1. Port of Rotterdam

Topping our list of ‘Top 5 Ports in Europe 2021’ is the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

A record number of 15.3 million TEU passed through the port last year, up 6.6 percent from 14.3 million TEU in 2020.

“In terms of throughput volume, the port is back to its pre-corona level. Companies in the container sector, in particular, performed excellently, handling a record number of containers despite all the problems this sector faced worldwide last year,” said Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

“We are now investing in the construction of additional terminal capacity on the Maasvlakte to further facilitate the container sector. I am also optimistic in other respects.”

One of the port’s core aims is to attract, facilitate, encourage, and accelerate innovation and renewal so it can grow into the smartest port in the world.

This can be seen in the recent implementation of its Smart Mooring Solution. Rotterdam revealed in a social media post that the software is able to predict the impact that storms and adverse weather will have on moored vessels.

In June of last year, the port authority also launched a pilot project to further optimize port and supply chain process efficiency and safety, as part of efforts to digitize operations.

In a statement, the port authority said the target is to make customs processes more efficient and will involve working closely with shippers, customs agents, terminals carriers and other supply chain stakeholders.

MARAD announces $25 million in funding for America’s Marine Highway Program

MARAD announces $25 million in funding for America’s Marine Highway Program

The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of $25 million in funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).

The program supports the development and expanded use of America’s navigable waterways and will help improve US supply chains and the overall movement of goods throughout the county.

The new resources represent the largest single appropriation of funding ever provided to the AMHP and were made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“America’s waterways are a vital means for getting goods onto our shelves and into our homes,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“Thanks to these investments, and others like them in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can very well say we can help create jobs, reduce delays, and strengthen our critical supply chains for decades to come.”

Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley added: “This historic funding for the Marine Highways program will expand waterborne transportation options while helping project sponsors increase energy conservation, improve safety, reduce landside infrastructure costs, and reduce travel delays caused by congestion.

“This investment will also create well-paying maritime jobs.”

This is so evident.

The AMHP aims to relieve landside congestion, provide new and efficient transportation options, and increase the productivity of the surface transportation system.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails; upgrade and expand public transit, modernize the country’s ports, and help tackle the climate crisis.

For an organization to be eligible for a grant award, a project must have previously been designated as a Marine Highway Project by the Secretary of Transportation.

Back in December 2021, MARAD awarded $12.6 million grants to nine highway projects under the AMHP.

The funding went toward enhancing the movement of goods in Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.