Cooperation the Key to More Environment-Friendly Shipments

With port and logistics centres included, global freight traffic is responsible for eleven percent of worldwide CO2 emissions. A transformation of existing transport chains and logistics processes is being both debated and demanded internationally. In pursuit of climate neutrality, the EU has set out a target by agreeing the European Green Deal. By 2050, Europe should become the first climate-neutral continent. Lübecker Hafen-Gesellschaft - LHG and Port of Hamburg Marketing - HHM recently invited experts to discuss what measures will be required in the port and transport sector to achieve this target. At a digital event entitled ‘Climate-neutral into the future – What can we do?’, 375 delegates heard lectures and Q&A sessions.
 
LHG’s CEO Sebastian Jürgens, joined Marina Basso Michael, responsible at HHM for market development in the Baltic region and Europe, in moderating the expert dialogue between the experts and participants linked up from Germany and other countries. “With our event, we want to produce suggestions for the discussion on climate-friendly transport chains and ports. The exchange between the port/transport industry and the academic world produces fresh approaches and motivates people to expand already successfully commenced cooperation at all levels. At the interface between seaborne and land transport, LHG plays an essential part there,” stated Jürgens.
 
Carlos Jahn of the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services raised the considerable potential for more sustainability in the port of the future. In his view, synchronization of seaborne and land transport through digital networking of logistics partners needs to be promoted. Jahn feels that deployment of artificial intelligence and use of larger data quantities should enable waiting times to be reduced and preliminary port storage areas more efficiently used. Realtime data on the vessel and its deployment planning should produce substantial added value for optimizing vessel routes and schedules. In the last resort, reduction of fuel consumption, shorter waiting times, smaller space requirement and adjusted equipment also contribute towards more sustainable organization of ports’ hinterland traffic.
 
Erik Lewenhaupt presented the Stena Line view on further developments in marine propulsion and the use of sustainable fuels in shipping: “Fuels such as hydrogen, ‘green methanol’ plus growing electrification are examples of how we could move in the direction of greener logistics. Electrification is currently preferred for short distances, ‘green methanol’ for the long haul. To promote its use, we shall require not only substantial investments in existing ships, but also supply infrastructure in the ports. Fleet renewals, engine modifications and enhanced efficiency are essential instruments for ensuring structural improvements in the logistics chain and reducing the CO2 footprint. We at Stena Line aim to be pioneers and are promoting sustained transport logistics,” said Lewenhaupt.
 
Jan Weiser of Kombiverkehr explained how pre- and post-voyage intermodal transport chains can become more environment-friendly. He forcefully demonstrated how combined transport in an intermodal network can achieve an 80 percent saving of CO2 by comparison with road transport. Use of ‘green’ power and precise recording of rail freight traffic emissions can assist here. Thanks to such existing instruments as the CO calculator, customers are already receiving all the basic details for evaluating climate-friendly shipments. On the way to more sustainability in freight traffic, Weiser also called for improved standardisation and suitability of cranes for semi-trailers. In addition, it is essential to convince forwarders about intermodal transport. “Forwarders need to re-think towards rail,” he said. 

< Korea Shipping Gazette >