Could greener ports and smarter routes revolutionise global shipping?
UK’s green initiative:
The UK is paving the way for the world’s first 'green shipping corridors' between the UK and major European cities, including Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Dublin. With up to £9 million in government funding, the initiative is focused on reducing emissions in shipping while creating new green jobs.
As part of this effort, 30 projects across the UK will also receive funding to develop innovative, eco-friendly shipping technologies. This investment aims to make shipping not only cleaner but also more efficient, moving the maritime industry closer to a sustainable future.
Increase in Panama Canal Container Transiting:
The Panama Canal Authority is planning to significantly increase the number of containers moving through its route, aiming to nearly double capacity in the coming years, according to Canal chief Ricaurte Vasquez, who spoke at the Houston International Maritime Conference.
Following a severe drought that forced ships to find alternate routes between the U.S. and Asia, the Canal Authority has put a water conservation strategy in place. This includes encouraging shippers to consolidate cargo to reduce the water needed for each vessel’s passage, particularly container ships.
The Canal is also looking to expand cargo transfer operations on its west bank, which would allow shippers to unload containers and move them by rail, truck, or smaller vessels before reloading. By 2045, this approach could allow the Canal to handle an additional 5 million containers each year, beyond the current 8.3 million.
A previous expansion in 2016 added a third set of locks, allowing a greater focus on container ships, though bulk carriers have recently returned. A new reservation system introduced last month allocated 40% of next year’s capacity for large locks to container ships and LNG vessels.
While U.S. LNG vessels have slowed traffic due to Europe’s high demand and lower freight costs on alternative routes, Asian demand for LNG could bring more traffic to the canal next year. However, Vasquez expressed concerns over the potential impact of a U.S.-China trade war on the canal, especially regarding LNG trade. The Canal Authority is also exploring partnerships with the Port of Houston to support U.S. commodity distribution.
Freight ferry between Italy & Egypt:
DFDS is launching a direct ferry route between Egypt and Italy, creating a vital link in the Mediterranean for trade between North Africa and Europe. This new service will connect Damietta in Egypt with Trieste in Italy and is DFDS’s first route in Egypt—the first freight ferry service between these two markets in almost a decade.
The first voyage is scheduled for November 29, 2024, leaving Damietta and arriving in Trieste. Weekly departures will follow, with Damietta sailings every Friday and Trieste every Monday, with each trip taking about 68 hours.
In partnership with Pan Marine Shipping Services, DFDS has arranged a dedicated terminal at Damietta, ensuring efficient loading and unloading. The route launch was celebrated at an event in Cairo on November 5, 2024, attended by local officials, DFDS customers, and partners.
Source:
Passengers to enjoy cleaner travel between UK and Europe - GOV.UK
ACP: Panama Canal could double the number of containers transiting
DFDS launches a new freight ferry service between Italy and Egypt