by Canadian Sailings | Dec 12, 2018 | Environment, Other
By Alexander Whiteman
The momentum behind efforts to curtail shipping’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions appears to have come to a standstill, insiders have said as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) met in London at the end of October. Environmental lobbyists had hoped that plans to reduce GHG emissions by 2023 would begin in earnest now. IMO secretary general Kitack Lim said MEPC had approved a programme of follow-up action to the initial strategy agreed in April. “The programme sets a clear signal on how to further progress the matter of reduction of GHG emissions from ships up to 2023,” said Mr. Lim. “I am convinced, in re-doubling your efforts and with support from working arrangements, you’ll be able to deliver and accelerate the pace of actions and tackle this immense, global challenge.” (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Dec 12, 2018 | Environment, Other
By Alexander Whiteman
Efforts to decarbonize the shipping sector have taken a step back after IMO overturned plans for new design standards. A bid to impose a 40 per cent efficiency improvement requirement on all containerships built from 2022 onwards – based on 2008 standards – was put in abeyance until IMO meets again next May. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Dec 12, 2018 | Ocean, Ocean Carriers, Other
By Mike Wackett
OOCL plans to begin the switch to low-sulphur fuel for its fleet of around 100 container vessels during the second half of next year, in readiness for compliance with IMO 2020.
Unlike some of its peers, the carrier has made no reference to scrubber technology that would enable vessels to continue to burn cheaper heavy fuel oil (HFO) from 1 January 2020 when the 0.5 per cent sulphur cap becomes law. The Cosco subsidiary said it had estimated the extra cost of compliance with IMO 2020 for its vessels could be more than “half a billion dollars”. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Dec 12, 2018 | Other, Ports and Terminals
By Sam Whelan
Pressure is mounting on container ports to improve efficiency in terminal operations, as wholesale change in the shipping industry continues to increase competition and drive down revenue per box. According to Mark Welles, Navis Vice-President and General Manager, Asia Pacific, terminal operators are “aggressively attacking their cost base and figuring out ways to use some of their tools to do more with less”. This includes using automation to drive incremental changes that improve operational efficiency, whether waterside or at the terminal gate. “Terminals are making the small or large changes they need to keep their businesses moving ahead against the challenges from consolidation on the carrier side,” he told The Loadstar. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Dec 12, 2018 | Other
By Gavin van Marle
Hapag-Lloyd has placed an order for 8,600 Star Cool reefer containers, 2,000 of which will be controlled atmosphere (CA) units, with Maersk Container Industry (MCI). The order follows an August announcement from Hapag-Lloyd that it would be adding 11,100 reefer units to its fleet, taking its total to 91,000. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Dec 12, 2018 | Ocean, Ocean Carriers, Other
By Mike Wackett
State-owned Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) has, reportedly, signed off on some W6.15trn ($5.4 billion) of new funding for the country’s biggest ocean carrier, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) – but much of this cash will be needed to cover continued operations. (more…)
