Category: Supply Chain & Logistics

The competition for shipping container traffic is becoming more intense due to new trade agreements, shifting alliances, geopolitical tensions, supply chain challenges, and the rising economic influence of the Global South, all of which are altering long-established maritime routes.

Amid these changes, many ports have successfully navigated turbulent times by embracing emerging technologies to digitalize their operations, transforming into what is now called smart ports.

The AD Ports Group, a leading player in global trade, logistics, and industry, provides an insightful case study on the effective implementation of digitalization in its white paper, “Digitalisation for Enhanced Efficiency: Leveraging Data for Smart Ports.”

“When applied to ports, big data and digital-twin technology are set to transform a wide range of operations. This technology can store different streams of information from ports, logistics, sensors and positioning networks; and process that information in real-time, which allows ports to create multidimensional models that help optimise port supply chains, reducing delays and congestion at the facilities and increasing the efficiency of the different stakeholders involved,” stated Noura Al Dhaheri, CEO of Digital Cluster & Maqta Gateway, AD Ports Group.

This document is valuable for understanding how digital transformation is reshaping the maritime sector and its vital role in improving global trade efficiency.

The white paper offers a comprehensive analysis of how digital technologies are revolutionizing port operations, detailing strategic approaches to harnessing data for enhanced operational efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness.

It also explores the successes and challenges of digitalization in ports across Asia, Africa, and South America—regions that have made significant strides in port technology.

The paper emphasizes how integrating advanced technologies and data-driven strategies has been pivotal in modernizing traditional port operations to meet contemporary demands.

The Group’s experts critically address prevalent challenges such as software incompatibility, cybersecurity threats, and resistance to change within the industry. They also provide an analysis of new regulations and legislation, including the mandatory introduction of Maritime Single Windows (MSWs) in early 2024, and their global impact on port operations.

The white paper, titled “Digitalisation for Enhanced Efficiency: Leveraging Data for Smart Ports,” is available for download on the AD Ports Group website, offering stakeholders in-depth insights into the future of smart port operations.

“Undoubtedly, digitalisation increases productivity in port management and operations processes, making us more competitive. Port customers and stakeholders value the following: greater transparency, reliability, greater operational efficiency and productivity. All this cannot be achieved without digitalisation,” stated Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO – of Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group.

Kongsberg Maritime has launched a new Rim-drive Azimuth Thruster, the RD-AZ-2300.

The RD-AZ-2300, with a propeller diameter of 2,300mm, sits between the existing RD-AZ-1900 and RD-AZ-2600 models and is suited for vessels operating in demanding environments such as offshore wind farms, where precise maneuverability and low noise levels are crucial.

In adherence to DNV’s Silent R classification, the RD-AZ-2300 also provides significant advantages to underwater research vessels by reducing underwater radiated noise (URN) below sea levels, says Kongsberg Maritime.

A report released by Australia’s Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports highlights ongoing and systemic failures within Australia’s Independent Observer program designed to provide independent reporting of animal welfare at sea.

The program was established after the 2017 death of over 2,400 sheep on the livestock carrier Awassi Express (now Anna Mara). The sheep died of heat stress, and in 2018, television footage aired from this and four other voyages widely undermined public confidence in the treatment of animals in the livestock export trade.

The Inspector-General’s report concludes that the Independent Observer Program, implemented in 2018, does not appear to provide acceptable levels of assurance regarding the health and welfare of livestock.

“This makes a mockery of any claim from live exporters that they’re effectively regulated,” said RSPCA Australia Chief Science Officer Dr Suzie Fowler.

RSPCA notes that available data demonstrates ongoing animal welfare issues including 80% of reports indicating sheep starving on board and at least 60% reporting heat stress.

From April 2018 to May 2023 observers were only present on 53 out of 172 live sheep export journeys.

“To quote the report, the fact that Independent Observers are not being deployed on most voyages that meet the criteria for a deployment is evidence that the program’s assurance objectives are not being met,” says Fowler.

She says the Independent Observer program is failing to provide that much-needed transparency. “For example, Independent Observer footage released under FOI this year from a voyage in 2018 showed several serious sheep welfare issues including indicators of severe heat stress — a very different picture to footage posted on social media by the live exporters at the time from the same voyage.

“Rather than being transparent about this and releasing the Independent Observer footage, the regulator and the live export industry fought tooth and nail to keep the footage secret. It was only after a lengthy battle that the RSPCA won access to the footage, six years later.

Australia has legislated for the phase out the live export of sheep by May 1, 2028, in favor of a chilled and boxed meat trade.

A barge wreck found in September last year has been confirmed as the earliest known shipwreck discovered to date in Western Australia’s Swan River, the WA Museum said. The barge was identified as one that lost in 1882 while carrying limestone from Fremantle to Perth.

The State Government’s release of detailed 3D multibeam surveys of the Swan River riverbed played a crucial role in the initial discovery of the wreck, which was first identified by Maritime Archaeology Association WA President Patrick Morrison and his colleagues Jess Green and Ian McCann.

Following this discovery in 2023, WA Museum Maritime Archaeologist Ross Anderson undertook thorough investigations of the site and historical documents to pinpoint the wreck’s identity, age, and its historical and archaeological significance. Important factors in the identification included the wreck’s design, its precise location and depth, and the presence of a large ceramic demijohn found at the site.

This wreck holds historical importance as it highlights the role of barges in transporting bulk cargoes between Fremantle and Perth during the 19th century, before the advent of motorized transportation.

In addition to its historical value, the wreck is of considerable archaeological interest due to its well-preserved state, which provides insights into the construction and cargo handling methods of typical Swan River barges.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said, “I commend the outstanding work of the WA Museum and Maritime Archaeology Association of WA for integrating state-of-the-art search technology and historical research to find and identify this historic wreck.

“WA has a rich maritime history with more than 1,600 ships wrecked off our vast coastline. It is exciting to see how new technology is unveiling further glimpses into our maritime history.

“Having identified the wreck from 1882, it is protected under the State’s Maritime Archaeology Act. While people may visit or dive the wreck, it is important to remember it is an offence to anchor on, damage or remove objects from a protected site.”

(Image: WA Museum)

Taiwanese intra-Asia carrier TS Lines has ambitions of expanding further into long-haul
routes.

On 13 August, TS Lines launched a standalone Asia-US West Coast express service, AWC2,
just over a month after returning to the transpacific lane through a joint AWC service with
Dubai-based SeaLead Shipping.

AWC2, connecting Guangzhou, Xiamen, Busan and Long Beach, was launched with the 1,800 TEU TS Bangkok, carrying toys, construction materials, apparel, shoes and hats, setting out from China’s Guangzhou port. The ship will arrive in Long Beach on 5 September, offering a 23-day turnaround time.

According to TS Lines’ website, two other ships, TS Melbourne and TS Tokyo, have also been assigned to AWC2.

Despite the ongoing correction in freight rates, particularly on the Asia-US West Coast
routes, TS Lines’ management is optimistic about filling the ships.

TS Lines’ Xiamen representative, Wu Chengyan, said: “Shipping demand is very strong,
especially in the apparel, footwear, manufacturing, bulk commodities and cross-border e-
commerce sectors. We designed the route to use Xiamen as the last port of call (in China),
and after leaving the port, the ship goes directly to the US West Coast, so customers will no longer have to worry about transit.”

Wu indicated that if demand is good, TS Lines could deploy up to five vessels to AWC2.

On 30 May, TS Lines renewed its listing application on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The
company’s prospectus disclosed its intention to resume long-haul services.

The company made its long-haul entry in 2021, during the COVID-19-fuelled boom, but
withdrew from this trade in 2023 as the market corrected. This year, TS Lines made a
comeback to long-haul services as the Red Sea crisis sent rates skyrocketing again.

To bolster its competitiveness on long-haul routes, TS Lines ordered two 14,000 TEU and
two 8,000 TEU ships from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding in May, for delivery in 2027.

Wu said TS Lines is also keen to start a Far East-Mexico service, as rates between the Far
East and Central/South America are at two-year highs.

Martina Li

Asia Correspodent