Fortnightly maritime news for the industry and PortXL community
2021 World Maritime theme – “Seafarers: at the core of shippingʹs future”
“Seafarers: at the core of shippingʹs future” has been selected as the World Maritime theme for 2021, reflecting a clear need to raise awareness of seafarersʹ vital role in world trade and increase their visibility. The focus on seafarers comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary and unprecedented demands on seafarers. Hundreds of thousands faced and are still facing extended sea times, going months at sea without seeing families and loved ones.
The Dutch economy in the Covid-19 era: Why we need start-ups and scale-ups now more than ever
As the Dutch GDP is expected to shrink by at least 5% in 2020, we need innovative solutions to restart our economy and create new jobs. What better than entrepreneurship to be the engine to ignite a new economic growth?
Environment agenda: EU climate talks enter decisive phase
The objective is to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions to “at least 50%” below 1990 levels “and towards 55%,” Loonela said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday (18 August). While some industries are expected to grow – like renewables, energy and construction – some like oil, gas and coal are set to “decline” while others like the car sector “are likely to transform.
Global energy storage market to defy Covid and top 15GW in 2025
The global grid-connected energy storage market despite disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic will rebound this year and top 15 gigawatts in 2025, IHS Markit said. The fact that the energy storage industry is proving resilient and has resumed a growth trajectory during the pandemic and subsequent economic shock proves that the 2019 market retraction was an aberration.
Make the most of digital twins and IoT
Digital performance, standards and internet of things (IoT) connectivity is becoming increasingly important in passenger shipping as operators learn to work remotely. The sector’s implementation of digitalisation has accelerated as it struggles with technical and market challenges during the global coronavirus pandemic.
Maersk defies COVID-19 impact with strong Q2 results, lifts profit outlook
A.P. Moller – Maersk managed to improve profitability across all businesses in the second quarter of 2020 despite a sharp drop in global volumes following the COVID-19 crisis. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) improved to $ 1.7 billion, beating initial expectations from June of an EBITDA slightly above $ 1.5 billion.
Eco-Friendly Bulkers Built in Sri Lanka Part of New Building Trend
The bulk carriers to be built in Sri Lanka are innovative as they will have lower emissions compared to conventional bulk carriers of the same size. Each vessel will measure approximately 293 feet in length and is powered by a 4-stroke diesel engine with an electric hybrid system supplying additional power through a battery system. They will have a load capacity of 5000 DWT, carrying cargoes including grain, timber, unit loads, and containers.