Fortnightly maritime news for the industry and PortXL community

Renewables set for record run despite Covid

The world is set to add record levels of renewable power this year and next despite the Covid pandemic, said the International Energy Agency (IEA). New renewables additions this year are expected to reach almost 200GW, or nearly 90% of all energy generation capacity installations, the IEA’s Renewables 2020 report forecast, led by wind, hydropower and PV.

Satellites monitor ship NOx pollution globally for first time

Since January 2020, the maximum sulphur dioxide content of ship fuels was globally reduced to 0.5% (down from 3.5%) in an effort to reduce air pollution and to protect health and the environment. It is expected that the nitrogen dioxide emissions from shipping will also become restricted during the coming years. Monitoring ships to comply with these regulations is still an unresolved issue. The open ocean covers vast areas, with limited or no capacity to perform local checks. This is where satellites, such as the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite, come in handy.

Abu Dhabi Ports and DNV GL sign MoU to build sustainable maritime ecosystem

Under the terms of the agreement, both companies agree to work together in advancing the digital transformation and further economic development of Abu Dhabi’s maritime sector, through the deployment of leading-edge innovations including autonomous technology, AI, machine learning, electrification, as well as logistics and supply-chain authentication based on blockchain. The partnership also creates opportunities to encourage Emirati graduates to pursue a career in Abu Dhabi’s maritime trade ecosystem by offering research and development opportunities in the field of decarbonisation, such as alternative fuels and renewable energy usage.

Why Real-Time Data Matters to the Maritime Industry

Overall operations and logistics, for example, become much more efficient with real-time data. Companies can obtain information through GPS and RFID tags to help locate containers and ships immediately. Data technology also helps synchronize communication to manage ship arrivals, berthings, and departures safely and efficiently. And in case of an emergency, non-availability of the labor, or terminal allocations, real-time data helps ships plan their routes and speeds accordingly.

MSC tipped to overtake Maersk at the top of the liner rankings

Maersk, the world’s largest containerline for the past quarter century, could soon lose its top spot on the global liner rankings list to its alliance partner, MSC. MSC has been very active in recent weeks in the secondhand tonnage market, and is being widely tipped to be on the cusp of a major order for a 23,000 teu class series. Analysts at Copenhagen-based Sea-Intelligence suggested in a report out on Sunday that MSC might soon overtake Maersk as the world’s largest carrier.

Oil CEOs believe a demand recovery is coming, but volatility is here to stay

Top energy chief executives say oil demand will recover next year, but they expect volatility to remain elevated, as the industry emerges from the reckoning of the coronavirus pandemic. We face a lot of uncertainty,” Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne told an invitation-only gathering of more than 30 senior oil and gas executives.

Is Hyperloop the next supply chain revolution?

DP World and Virgin Hyperloop One announced the historic milestone on 9 November 2020 when Hyperloop, the proposed high-speed mode of transportation, carried passengers for the first time, but it is an innovation that could also have broad implications for cargo and the supply chain. Being able to travel at speeds of 700mph mean hyperloop could transform how goods are moved, and potentially help connect inland regions to ports sea lanes.