Launch of the first all-electric and autonomous container ship
The Yara Birkeland, which has been eagerly awaited after numerous postponements, has been launched. It is continuing its two-year test campaign. Fully electric, autonomous, the 120 TEU feeder is intended to transport the products of the world’s leading fertilizer manufacturer Yara. It will start from the Porsgrunn plant to the port of Brevik about fifteen kilometers away.
The first all-electric feeder of 120 TEU is also all-Norwegian. Commissioned by the fertilizer group Yara associated with the specialist in automation systems for merchant ships Kongsberg Maritime. It was built by the Chantal Vard and received public funds for an amount of 133.5 million Norwegian kroner. “It will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,000 t and replace 40,000 diesel truck trips per year,” commented the Yara’s chief executive officer who welcomed his distinguished guests.
Here is the article : https://www.journalmarinemarchande.eu/en-images/photo/mise-a-leau-du-premier-porte-conteneur-tout-electrique-et-bientot-autonome
The large port of La Rochelle in expansion
Maritime Kuhn has announced the purchase of a second high-capacity crane in 2022. The new LHM 600 crane, unloaded from the heavy parcel carrier Happy Ranger of the Dutch group’s Biglift shipowner on the quays of Anse Saint-Marc, has a capacity of 144 tonnes per hook and 75 tonnes per dumpster. It’s making it one of the most efficient on the Atlantic coast alongside those of Montoir and Brest. The Atlantic Bulk Carrier Establishment (Eva), a subsidiary of the Sica Atlantique and Maritime Kuhn groups, has invested €3.5 million.
“We wanted to modernize and densify our tools on the port,” says Francis Grimaud, the director of Eva. “It complements the existing fleet,” which includes an 80-ton Gottwald and a 40-ton Italgru.
Here is the article : https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/secteurs-activites/shipping/41524-le-port-de-la-rochelle-accueille-une-nouvelle-grue
Collaboration at the service of the environment
CMA CGM and Engie, both members of the coalition for the energy of tomorrow, have built a new agreement. They indicated on 9th November that they wanted to promote production and distribution sectors for synthetic methanes and bio-LNG as part of a “long-term strategic and industrial cooperation”.
A first bio-LNG project dedicated to maritime transport has already been launched this summer by the two groups in partnership with the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis and Total Energies.
Here is the article : CMA CGM aims to decarbonise shipping with ENGIE – Port Technology International
The evolution of freight rates in 2020 and 2021
As the year ends, freight rates are peaking at unprecedented levels. High freight rates do not have the same impact across all continents and product categories. But the threat to global manufacturing is similar, UNCTAD says in its analysis.
“The recovery of the global economy is threatened by high freight rates, which are expected to continue in the coming months. If the current surge in container freight rates were to persist, it could increase global import price levels by 11% and consumer price levels by 1.5% by 2023,” the UN agency said.
Here is the article : https://www.journalmarinemarchande.eu/actualite/shipping/radioscopie-des-taux-de-fret-en-2020-et-2021
CMA CGM present in North America
After having sold terminals in 2020 to reduce its debt, CMA CGM, benefiting from a favorable economic situation. It is making a new acquisition. The French shipowners’ group is once again turning to port handling and this time to North America. Indeed, they offering the remaining 90% of the capital of the Fenix Marine Services terminal in Los Angeles, previously owned by EQT Infrastructure III.
The CMA CGM group was seduced by this acquisition because the FMS terminal is a major port facility. It has 4 berths of more than 300 meters long each with a draft of 15 meters, 16 cranes, half of which are capable of operating mega-container ships.
Here is the article : CMA CGM réalise une acquisition portuaire à Los Angeles (lantenne.com)
A new collaboration between Chile and Western Europe
On 4th November, the Port of Antwerp, the Port of Zeebrugge and the Chilean Ministry of Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The goal is to work together to achieve green hydrogen flows between Chile and Western Europe. It will make possible to evolve the preparation of the effective start of green production, the establishment of the supply chain between the continents and logistics in Belgian seaports.
Tom Hautekeit, CEO of Port Zeebrugge: “We are proud to know that Chile, the most significant potential exporter of green molecules, wants to cooperate with the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. This opportunity will allow us to realize our shared ambition of importing hydrogen to Europe together. The fact that they consider Zeebrugge to be a suitable import port confirms our position as an important energy hub. Moreover, our close cooperation will herald a new chapter for the energy transition in and of Europe.”
Here is the article : Port of Antwerp, Port of Zeebrugge and Chile join forces to foster hydrogen production – VesselFinder
