HÄFEN | PORTS Low
HÄFEN | PORTS Low hanging fruits for efficiency in ports In order to improve environmental efficiency, at least in the port, a new alliance of port and shipping companies advocates making a start via »low hanging fruits« and pushes the topic of »Just in Time« with new ideas. By Michael Meyer The partners in the initiative include the agency group Inchcape, shipping company Torm, the Port of Rotterdam and shipping organisation Bimco. For a start, the participants are primarily concerned with the tramp market, i.e. calls by bulkers, tankers and multi-purpose vessels. The consequences of the recent accident in the Suez Canal should be a welcome argument for those involved – even if they are actually less concerned with emergencies or extraordinary situations than with day-to-day operation. Access to information The widespread use of green fuels is likely to be a long time coming. »It is not yet foreseeable which propulsion technologies will really prevail in the end, so we have to look at other factors as well,« says Frank Olsen, Chief Executive of Inchcape Shipping Services. He emphasises factors beyond hardware and sees low hanging fruits that need to be exploited, »things we can do today already and which not necessarily require much investment but rather closer collaboration.« One important aspect is an efficient and safe route execution, not least with a clean hull and fit-for-purpose equipment of well utilised ships. »We also need to focus on just-in-time arrival,« Olsen says. It is important not to waste time, he says, because time means energy consumption when a ship has to wait outside or in the port area. However, he is aware that a shipowner alone cannot influence this: »You have to coordinate with a multitude of actors. Sometimes they have conflicting interests.« »Let us not wait for the revolution of alternative propulsion systems« Frank Olsen, Inchcape Shipping Services The problem is that there is no efficient way of coordination on a neutral platform yet. Access to information is crucial to start planning this. Not only arriving on time is important, tugboats and pilots as well as terminal slots must also be taken into account. In the port, however, it is not only about cargo. Other things have to be planned as well: crew change, spare parts, hull cleaning, bunkers and so on. Ultimately, the Inchcape boss is concerned with end-to-end voyage optimsation: »You can’t just look at a port call, you have to keep the whole voyage in mind in a holistic approach.« His call for action: »Let’s not wait for the revolution in ship propulsion. There are already possibilities. Lets keep it simple.« Coordination with port authorities, cargo owners and agents is very important. In Olsen’s view, there is still too much of a silo mentality: »We should learn to cooperate, it works in other segments like container or cruise shipping.« One lever is regulation or contract law, which is why Bimco is also on board. In the past, when »just in time« was an issue from time to time, it was not uncommon for charterers to object. More pressure on stakeholders Olsen and Bimco want to avoid overregulation, but the cooperation should not be voluntary either. »It’s a big puzzle to integrate all the suppliers, vendors, authorities, etc. We have to be able to do that. But it can be done through contract law and incentives. Of course it costs money, but you can get the money in from end consumers and investors through ESG marketing, which is becoming increasingly important in global transport chains.« One of the challenges is bureaucracy, Olsen admits. Even in one port, there are Just-in-time arrivals play a mojor role for enhanced efficiency and less emissions in port areas © Inchcape Shipping Services 68 HANSA – International Maritime Journal 05 | 2021
