Explore the logistics of moving food and beverage products across various distances, including land, sea, and air transportation. This subcategory covers innovations in shipping, transportation technology, and strategies for optimizing efficiency and reducing costs.
Fuel supplier Peninsula has been linked to a pair of LNG bunker vessel newbuilds in South Korea.
Shipbuilding sources suggest the Gibraltar-based tanker and bunker group is behind an order for 18,000 cu m ships announced on Thursday at HD Hyundai Mipo.
The newbuilds, priced at about $93m each, should deliver by November 2027.
Peninsula established its LNG bunkering business in 2021, which was followed by the company’s first newbuilding project through a joint venture with Scale Gas, a subsidiary of Spanish utility Enagás.
The 12,500 cu m Levante LNG was built by HD Hyundai Mipo and delivered in July 2023 on an initial seven-year charter to Peninsula. The ship has since been operating in the Strait of Gibraltar and Western Mediterranean ports.
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved a lease amendment, solidifying plans for a US$52 million infrastructure improvement project aimed at significantly enhancing on-dock rail capacity and reducing emissions at the Port of Los Angeles’ Pier 300 terminal, operated by Fenix Marine Services. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
“This project enhances cargo capacity and efficiency while improving the sustainability of port operations. It’s yet another step forward toward both our productivity and clean air goals,” stated Lucille Roybal-Allard, president of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission.
This project aims to boost cargo handling capacity and operational efficiency while promoting sustainability at the port. It will add five loading and unloading tracks to the intermodal yard at Pier 300, expanding the on-dock railyard’s capacity. This will allow more cargo to be directly loaded onto trains within the terminal, leveraging rail as the most energy- and fuel-efficient mode of long-haul freight transport in the United States.
“Fewer transfers of cargo results in cleaner operations and more fluidity on our container terminals. This project will make us more competitive and add to our ability to pursue more discretionary cargo headed for the interior of the United States,” explained Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director.
Additional improvements include grading, paving, fire protection, electrical upgrades, striping, signage, and enhanced storm drain systems to meet Low Impact Development standards.
“This investment ensures that there is adequate on-dock intermodal capacity to accommodate future volume growth, enabling POLA and FMS to further compete for discretionary cargo in an environmentally and community-responsible way,” commented George Goldman, President & CEO of CMA CGM (America).
Funding for the project includes approximately US$18 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and US$19 million from California’s Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, with the Port of Los Angeles covering the remaining costs.
In January 2022, CMA CGM reacquired full ownership of Fenix Marine Services, a major container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. As one of the largest US terminals, strategically located with deep-water access and advanced infrastructure, FMS is central to the terminal’s ongoing development and investment initiatives.
In an increasingly interconnected world, the dynamics of global trade routes and economic power are in constant flux, with regions like the Far East and the Middle East playing pivotal roles in these shifts. This geopolitical analysis focused on understanding the evolving relationship between these two crucial regions by considering three key indicators: Liner Shipping Connectivity, Container Port Throughput, and GDP Growth. By constructing a compound indicator from these variables, we aimed to capture the underlying trends driving these regions’ economic and strategic importance on the global stage. The overall analysis revealed several noteworthy conclusions that shed light on the changing landscape of global trade and economic power.
The Middle East demonstrated a greater degree of stability in its maritime connectivity and infrastructure development compared to the Far East. Despite the substantial gap in overall development and connectivity between the two regions, the Middle East has shown a relatively smooth trajectory in its progress, marked by gradual and steady improvements. While the Far East, with its advanced and highly developed maritime infrastructure, exhibits a more dynamic and rapidly evolving pattern, the Middle East’s path reflects a more measured approach.
The analysis reveals a significant disruption in the Far East’s maritime trade dynamics during the 2019-2020 period, primarily attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. This global crisis caused a sharp decline in trade flows, impacting the previously steady growth trajectory of the Far Eastern maritime system. In contrast, the Middle East experienced only a slight decline during the same period, reflecting its less advanced trade infrastructure and lower exposure to global supply chain disruptions.
A key finding from the analysis is the critical role of shipping connectivity in mitigating the effects of the crisis. For the Far East, the shipping connectivity feature emerged as a crucial factor in the region’s recovery. The Far East’s advanced connectivity, bolstered by significant investments in port infrastructure and logistics, enabled a quicker rebound as trade flows began to normalize post-pandemic. This adaptability highlights the importance of robust maritime connectivity as a buffer against global disruptions and a catalyst for recovery.
For the Far East, its well-developed maritime infrastructure and strategic investments in connectivity played a pivotal role in facilitating a swift return to growth after the initial pandemic-induced decline. While the Middle East experienced a less severe impact, the pandemic demonstrated the strategic importance of robust maritime infrastructure in managing and recovering from global trade disruptions.
The analysis of the trends in maritime connectivity and infrastructure development for the Far East and the Middle East reveals a notable similarity between the two regions’ growth trajectories. This relative similarity suggests an interconnection between their maritime development paths, indicating that both regions are likely to see increased investments in maritime infrastructure in the near future. However, the data also highlights that the Middle East still requires substantial investments to match the advanced level of maritime infrastructure found in the Far East.
The ongoing trend of increased maritime investments suggests that the Middle East is poised to emerge as a prominent maritime hub in the near future. However, it is essential to address the challenges related to maritime safety and regional stability, especially in the Middle East region, which has faced issues such as political instability and security concerns that can impact maritime operations.
Shipping connectivity has emerged as a pivotal finding in our analysis, serving not only as a critical economic factor but also as a crucial element for navigating major crises. The capability for movement and interconnectivity between regions proves to be a powerful tool for resilience, particularly evident during global disruptions such as pandemics or geopolitical conflicts. The analysis highlights that while the Middle East requires substantial investments to enhance its maritime dynamics, the Far East has demonstrated remarkable resilience by recovering to pre-crisis levels of connectivity and trade volume.
E.ON has launched its first dedicated charging site for electric trucks in Germany, located on the grounds of the port of Hamburg along the A7 motorway.
This site features four charging stations, each equipped with a 400-kilowatt charger, allowing trucks to recharge during the mandatory 45-minute break required by law.
“When it comes to truck charging stations, we pay special attention to the needs of drivers and transport companies. Our new charging station in Hamburg demonstrates this: convenient charging with enough space for different vehicle types, an easy-to-find location directly on the motorway and a charging capacity of up to 400 kilowatts per vehicle. This means that the break can be ideally used for quick intermediate charging,” stated Ludolf von Maltzan, Business Manager Germany at E.ON Drive Infrastructure.
Depending on the truck model, this charging time provides enough energy for approximately 300 kilometres of driving.
The charging stations are designed with future upgrades in mind, allowing for the installation of megawatt charging technology, which will enable even faster charging times.
The spacious parking and charging bays, measuring three meters wide and 25 meters long, are suitable for articulated lorries, eliminating the need to uncouple trailers or semi-trailers.
Drivers can initiate and pay for the charging process using a charging card, app, or credit card terminal for ad hoc charging.
In addition to these new stations at the Port of Hamburg, E.ON Drive Infrastructure also operates dedicated e-truck charging stations in Sweden and Denmark, with further sites planned in Germany and across Europe.
DP World has completed its acquisition of Cargo Services Far East, a global supply chain provider based in Hong Kong.
Cargo Services is a leader in origin services, managing the movement of goods from the factory to the customer. The company employs over 2,500 people across Greater China, Asia, Europe, South Africa, and the United States.
With this acquisition, DP World’s workforce has grown to over 115,000 employees across more than 800 global locations. By the end of the year, the company will operate over 200 freight forwarding offices, covering up to 95% of international trade flows.
“Cargo Services’ logistics expertise and global network perfectly complement our own footprint and will be yet another tool in our offering to customers. Together, we’ll create a powerful force propelling trade globally. By combining our strengths — technology, a growing logistics portfolio and strategic infrastructure – with Cargo Services’ expertise and network, we will be able to offer unparalleled value to customers seeking to strengthen existing trade ties or enter new markets. We are very excited to welcome our new colleagues, as they join us on this pivotal step in our growth journey,” stated Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman & CEO of DP World Group.
Founded in 1989, Cargo Services was one of the first foreign logistics service providers to enter the Chinese market. Over the years, it has developed a comprehensive range of solutions, including origin purchase order management, ocean freight, air freight, and warehousing, serving diverse sectors. The company also offers sophisticated supply chain management services, particularly for retail and high-fashion clients in markets like the US, UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, it has expanded into specialised cruise logistics services worldwide.
“By joining DP World, we will gain access to extensive resources and expertise, allowing us to continue delivering top-tier freight-forwarding and logistics services that our customers demand. With a shared vision and strategy, I am confident that our respective teams will come together seamlessly to deliver growth,” commented John Lau, Group Managing Director of Cargo Services Group.
The acquisition is now officially complete, with full integration planned over the coming months. To support a seamless transition, John Lau will stay with the company, taking on a senior leadership role within DP World.
French ocean carrier CMA CGM has announced a new port congestion surcharge (PCS) to the ports of Alger, Bejaia, Skikda and Oran in Algeria.
The Marseille-based box line will apply a surcharge of US$250 per TEU, effective from today, 2 September for all origins, except of US and Latin America countries where the surcharge will take effect on 30 September.
The Port of Long Beach has released a final study evaluating Tesoro Refining and Marketing Co. LLC’s proposal to demolish the Tesoro Calciner facility located at 2450 Pier B St. in Long Beach.
No new development, operations, or land uses are currently proposed for the site following the facility’s demolition, according to the Port of Long Beach statement.
The study, titled An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), is available at www.polb.com/ceqa. A draft version was released on 7 June for a 30-day public review period, which determined that with mitigation measures in place, the environmental impacts would be less-than-significant. No significant new environmental effects were identified, and the comments received during the review did not require recirculating the Draft IS/MND.
In addition, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider the Final IS/MND, which includes public feedback from the review process, at its regular meeting on 9 September. The meeting will be live-streamed at www.polb.com and can also be attended in person at the Bob Foster Civic Chambers, 411 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach.
The Calciner facility was originally built in 1982 by Martin-Marietta Corp. as a joint venture with Champlin Petroleum Co. Tesoro began operating the facility in 2013 and ceased operations in June 2022.
Before terminating its lease with the Californian port, Tesoro is required to remove all improvements and property from the premises and restore the site to a condition equivalent to or better than its condition before the lease began.
Grimaldi Group took delivery of the fifth multipurpose Ro-Ro vessel of the innovative “G5” class at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea.
Named Great Casablanca, this ship is designed to further enhance the quality of maritime transport services offered by the Neapolitan company between Northern Europe and West Africa, joining her five sister ships in the series.
Measuring 250 meters in length, with a beam of 38 meters and a deadweight of 45,684 tonnes, Great Casablanca’s design is the result of a detailed study.
Thanks to an innovative and fully customized internal configuration, these vessels can carry 4,700 linear meters of rolling freight, 2,500 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs), and 2,000 TEUs. While maintaining the same capacity for rolling freight as the previous G4-class, their container capacity has doubled.
Beyond its impressive loading capacity, Great Casablanca is equipped with numerous cutting-edge technological solutions aimed at boosting energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This translates to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne transported—up to 43% less compared to other Grimaldi con-ro multipurpose vessels.
Starting in October, Great Casablanca will begin regular operations on the Grimaldi Group’s route connecting major ports in Northern Europe and West Africa.
“We are proud to present the Great Casablanca, a new technological gem that helps make our fleet younger and more efficient,” commented Grimaldi Group S.p.A. President Gian Luca Grimaldi. “Thanks to our investments, we can offer our customers regular services with high transport capacity while ensuring maximum respect for the environment.”
Opsealog, a data integration and analysis company for the maritime and offshore sectors, has secured a two-year contract with Azule Energy, Angola’s largest independent energy firm.
The contract aims to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Azule Energy’s Offshore Supply Vessel (OSV) fleet. Initial estimates by Opsealog suggest that the project could cut the fleet’s GHG emissions by up to 10%.
The agreement will initially cover 28 OSVs in the first year, with plans to extend to the entire fleet of 33 vessels by 2025. The primary goal is to enhance fuel efficiency and lower GHG emissions, thereby supporting regulatory compliance and aligning with Azule Energy’s environmental goals.
Opsealog’s e-reporting system, Streamlog will fully digitize onboard reporting and provide real-time vessel tracking across Azule Energy’s operations in three oil blocks in Angola. This data will be analyzed through Opsealog’s Marinsights platform, offering valuable insights to improve operational efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and enhance vessel safety and reliability.
By optimizing operations, the project will address challenges such as the need for vessels to frequently move between blocks. It will leverage data-driven insights to develop a cost allocation system for each block, helping to manage the additional costs and emissions resulting from vessel scheduling changes.
“This partnership with Azule Energy demonstrates how digitalisation is an essential foundation for progress on a wide range of operational aspects in the offshore sector – including the industry’s chief priorities of safety and sustainability. Through enhanced data collection and integration, teams will be equipped with data-driven insights to immediately improve operational efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. We are proud to embark on this project and support Azule Energy’s ambitions of delivering responsible energy development for the communities of Angola,” stated Luis Buezas Jiménez, International Business Manager at Opsealog.
Studying abroad is an enriching experience that benefits any student by helping them adapt to new cultures and academic environments. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges. From culture shocks to loneliness, the hurdles faced can be daunting yet not insurmountable. Here is an account of the top five challenges faced by students studying abroad and how to overcome them.
1. Navigating Cultural Differences
Culturally, one of the most immediate challenges that a person faces when moving to a new country is the difference in everyday social norms and civilities that one is used to. Surely, one can get away with not understanding the nuances of a new culture, but the risk of embarrassing oneself or being snubbed or ostracized is very high.
The best way to be at ease with cultural differences is to understand their reasons and embrace them with open arms. Be active in the local community. Attend cultural events. Learn the local language, at least at a basic level, so that you can communicate with ease and feel a part of the community.
2. Managing Financial Strain
It is no surprise that many international students cite financial stress as an important issue. Tuition fees are higher at international universities than at local ones, and the cost of living is also much higher, not to mention unexpected expenses.
Therefore, budgeting is very important. You need to plan your finances before your departure. Use student discounts and other cheaper alternatives, such as staying in shared apartments. Have a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. Getting scholarships would also be a good idea, and also maybe doing part-time jobs would also help especially if your visa allows it. Also, research academic aid that you can afford before you leave for a new destination. UKWritings is a UK essay service that helps international students with their papers, so you can use something like that to supplement your studies as you get started, especially because this service is very budget-friendly.
3. Academic Adjustments
Academic systems differ dramatically across the globe. You might find the styles of teaching and assessment, the ways of interacting with professors and fellow students, very different from what you are used to at home.
To mitigate this, learn as much as you can about the academic expectations and norms of your host country. Don’t be afraid to discuss any problems you have in making this transition with teachers and fellow students. Make use of the academic support services provided by your institution (libraries, study groups, tutoring services, etc.) to ensure you keep up with your studies.
4. Coping with Homesickness
Being away from home – especially in an entirely different cultural context – can lead to homesickness, which is a common problem that can impact your well-being (both emotional and academic).
To ease your home sickness, maintain contact with your family and friends back home, but also work to establish a new support network in your host country. Get involved in hobbies and activities that make you feel at home. Most importantly, give yourself time to adjust; sometimes, it’s just normal to feel homesick, and it can often pass with time.
5. Health Concerns
Relocating to a new country can create health problems, from adjusting to a different diet to the provision and use of healthcare. This is how you overcome them:
Research what healthcare services are available.
Find out how insurance works and whether you are covered.
Enroll with a GP as soon as you arrive.
Be aware of what to do in case of emergencies.
Take care of your diet and try to maintain your lifestyle.
Embracing the Journey
While studying away from home may have its challenges, the experience can be enriching, offering a combination of personal and academic development. With some preparation, appreciating that things will go wrong, and being open to new happenings, you can not only overcome the challenges of studying abroad but also benefit from them. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. Have a wonderful journey, and enjoy it to the fullest!
