In case you missed it, we compiled news that occurred recently. October has been marked by new terminal projects and innovation initiatives. Happy reading!
TERMINAL PROJECTS
To handle the long-term growth in freight volumes, the construction of a new terminal in the Port of Gothenburg has started a few days ago. With a particular size of 220,000 square metre, it’s the largest expansion undertaking at Gothenburg in 40 years.
Magnus Kårestedt, Gothenburg Port Authority Chief Executive, commented: “The terminal is a vital part of the long-term expansion plan at the port, and it will reinforce Gothenburg even further as the logistics capital of the Nordic region.” Scheduled for completion in 2025, the terminal will be built using 350,000 cubic metres of dredge spoils from the river, the Göta Älv.
Also, construction on the a container terminal at Walvis Bay, Namibia, the largest port in Africa, is now 85% complete. Scheduled to be finished by June 2019, The Walvis Bay Container Terminal Project is expected to improve TEU handling capacity with an increase of 65%. Objective? Turn Namibian Ports Authority into West Africa’s leading logistics and trading hub, boost the Bank’s work in regional integration and improve the lives of Africans. The new Container Terminal project is valued at N$ 4 Billion and the main contractor is China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.
INNOVATION
Antwerp’s Port is striving to increase connectivity and boost trade by researching smart technologies that will help “explore the new oceans of data” and “make the world a connected place”. We invite you to find out more in these 3 interviews with Erwin Verstraelen, Chief Digital Innovation Officer and Wim Defevere, Senior Technical Manager Nautical at Port of Antwertp :
– Digital twin and APICA: What Antwerp’s Port can do with augmented reality as opposed to the gaming industry where it is normally used?
– Smart camera: How manage the port area more effectively thanks to the camera images?
– Echodrone: How measure the water dept 24/7 even at the busiest berths and, then, permit safe passage for shipping?
Also, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about Digital Twin Technology. In this context, Dr Lam Pin Min, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport, has opened a maritime research centre named C4NGP. The objective? Help Singapore’s maritime industry develop innovative capabilities. For example, digital twin simulation will allow the Port of Singapore to create testing scenarios for possible disruptions to operations, including natural disasters and extreme weather.
Last but not least, Rolls-Royce has announced it will collaborate with technology giant Intel to design sophisticated intelligent autonomous ships that will make commercial shipping safer & more efficient.
New ships will be equipped with critical real-time information and automating routine tasks and processes, just as in smart cities, autonomous cars and drones.
