Subsequent to our news piece ” UN 3077 Solid Bulk Cargoes – How are they handled in the IMSBC Code” on 27 May 2021, one of our owner members has come forward offering additional information on the shipment of these cargoes based on their experiences. As a result, the interpretation of how these cargoes are handled in the IMSBC Code has been updated and members are hereby informed of this update accordingly. By the same token, BIMCO thanks the member for providing the information and appreciates the time and efforts taken by the member for this  contribution.

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https://www.bimco.org/news/cargo/20210603-un-3077-solid-bulk-cargoes-update

As part of a major initiative to accelerate digitalisation in the shipping industry, BIMCO has teamed up with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and other key stakeholders to help identify and overcome obstacles preventing a more widescale adoption of electronic bills of lading.

“Establishing a globally accepted standard for electronic bills of lading is a critically important step for the successful digital transformation of our industry,” says Grant Hunter, Head of Contracts and Clauses at BIMCO, who is leading the project for the organisation.

BIMCO is to play a key role in this process by developing a global electronic bill of lading (eBL) standard for the dry and liquid bulk sectors and encouraging its acceptance and adoption by regulators, banks, carriers and insurers.

“BIMCO is widely known to regulators, banks and insurers for its standardised paper bills of lading such as CONGENBILL and CONLINEBILL. We want to take that same harmonised approach to facilitating trade by developing an eBL standard,” he says.

Global trade needs standards

“The ICC is looking forward to working with BIMCO on its ambitious goal of delivering an electronic bill of lading standard for dry and wet bulk shipping to the world,” says Oswald Kuyler, Managing Director of the Digital Trades Standards Initiative (DSI) at the ICC.

“Being at the forefront of global developments in shipping BIMCO is perfectly placed to undertake this ambitious task. Global trade needs standards to digitise trade at scale and BIMCOs work will help unlock the digitisation of another critical instrument,” he says.

BIMCO’s electronic bill of lading standard will be fully aligned with the UN/CEFACT MultiModal Reference Data Model to ensure seamless and transparent eBL transactions across international borders. The organisation plans to develop its eBL standard with the assistance of, among others, the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) who published their own standards for the liner industry in December 2020.

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https://www.bimco.org/news/priority-news/20210601-bimco-sets-sights-on-a-global-electronic-bill-of-lading-standard

In the pursuit of decarbonisation in maritime, ship operator d’Amico Group has brought together a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to test the biofuel blends (B30) derived from advanced second-generation feedstock on board of one of its LR1 product tanker already in EEDI Phase 2.

This JIP, which brings together d’Amico Group, TRAFIGURA, ABS, RINA, Lloyd’s Register’s Fuel Oil Bunker Analysis Advisory Service (FOBAS), the Liberian Registry and MAN Energy Solutions will calculate possible CO2 emissions reduction through a “Lifecycle strategy”, using the so called well-to-wake (WTW) analysis, from raw material acquisition to its burning while the ship is underway, to compare the performance of biofuels to traditional fossil fuels.

In addition the project will assess the stability and degradation of the biofuel in relation to storage time and NOx emissions to confirm that the use of biofuel B30 will not affect the Tier II certification of the engines, and to measure the effects and improvements on EEXI and CII indexes adopted as short-term measures by the IMO.

The tests will be undertaken on d’Amico’s vessels, Cielo Bianco and Cielo di Rotterdam and the low carbon alternative fuel of second generation (EU renewable energy directive (Red I/II) compliant and ISSC certified) will be supplied by leading bunkering supply company TFG Marine in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region.

This important project shows that the paradigm of different players acting separately is shifting towards a collaborative effort, working together to find the best solutions to reach joint decarbonisation goals. The combined strategic vision and technical capabilities of charterers, original engine manufacturers (OEM), shipowners, fuel suppliers and regulatory bodies will allow to better exploit, study and scout all options for the decarbonisation of shipping.

The pre-trial phase of the project started in March 2021 when details of the nature and composition of the biofuel blends were made available and the establishment of the protocols relating to fuel testing, inspections, NOx measurement and the sea trials. It was also necessary to prepare the risk assessment, the MOC, to adapt the swap procedures and to develop a consistent crew training program.

The second phase, the trials on board the vessels, is scheduled for mid-June 2021, in accordance with the planned trade routes of the vessels. This phase will start as soon as the bunkering is completed, and all protocols have been defined and approved by the OEM and the class societies involved. The trial phase will monitor the behaviour of the main engine, the diesel generators and the boilers in burning the biofuel blend, to evaluate operation, performance, and fuel storage capability. NOx will also be measured.

In the post-trial phase, the reported emissions will be processed and analysed with particular focus on CO2 and NOx and their effects on the EEXI and CII, according to the existing draft guidelines.

The project ending is planned for mid-July 2021.

Salvatore d’Amico, Fleet Director at d’Amico Group said, “We are proud to announce that this project was decided in the “Carbon War Room” we set up in the fleet management dept. to exploit, study and scout all options for the shipping decarbonization. The room was created involving managers from different departments: Technical, HSQE, Fleet performance monitoring, New buildings supervision to gather ideas, proposals engaging the OEMs and regulatory bodies in the Company strategy.”

Cesare D’Api, Deputy Technical Director at d’Amico Group commented, “Shipping needs a GHG lifecycle approach to decarbonise itself. In line with our vision, we decided to do such step in the common direction to reduce the carbon footprint by assessing the biofuels as potential low carbon fuel of the future and its effect on the short-term measures adopted by the IMO. This project by confirming the technical/safety feasibility in burning the biofuel blends as “drop in” solution, will demonstrate that we have a practical and viable option for the decarbonization which can be handled easily by the crew with no impact on the NOx emissions and without any modification on board.”

“Carbon-neutral biofuels could offer significant benefits to the marine sector’s drive to decarbonise operations. This trailblazing project will make a vital contribution to our understanding of the potential of biofuels in shipping, its implications for equipment and their impact on decarbonisation efforts. ABS is investing significantly in services to speed the decarbonisation of shipping and is committed to supporting the industry in the safe adoption of alternative fuels. This JDP is the latest evidence of our commitment, and we are delighted to be able to use our extensive practical experience to support our JIP partners,” said Georgios Plevrakis, ABS Director, Global Sustainability.

Thomas Klenum, Senior Vice President, Maritime Operations of LISCR, commented, “With the forthcoming EEXI and CII requirements expected to be adopted by IMO with entry into force 1/1/2023 biofuel is one of the most viable solutions available. Therefore, the Liberian Registry is very pleased to participate together with d’Amico and the other high-quality stakeholders in this JIP to test the second generation of biofuel blends in our joint pursuit towards zero emission shipping. International collaboration between high quality stakeholders is the key to unlock the decarbonization potential for new technologies and alternative fuels, and this JIP initiated by d’Amico is an excellent testimony to this fact.”

Kjeld Aabo, Director New Technology 2 stroke promotion at MAN Energy Solutions said, “Basically MAN-B&W 2 stroke engines are designed for also being able to operate on Biofuels. Separate biofuel specifications and guidance for fuel treatment on-board is followed to make the transition from VLSFO to VLSFU and B30 as smooth as possible.”

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d’Amico Group JIP to test biofuel decarbonisation potential

Taking action was the overriding theme of Ocean Now this week, a new two-day, hybrid event launched by Nor-Shipping. Despite the fact that global industry stakeholders are still grounded by travel restrictions, the desire, and need, to connect and collaborate was made abundantly clear by the calibre of participant, the scale of online attendance, and the spectrum of opportunities discussed. The challenge now, it emerged, was translating willpower into genuine momentum, creating the infrastructure, support and incentives to enable sustainable commercial transformation within the ocean space.

High level enthusiasm

Ocean Now ran from 1-2 June, attracting online attendees from all major maritime hubs, while gathering small physical audiences for activities such as local networking and the Nor-Shipping Hydrogen Blue Talks – Fuelling the Future conference (also live-streamed). High level participants spanned government ministers, UN representatives, energy experts, and a who’s who of business leaders, including names such as Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman, BW Group, Remi Eriksen, CEO, DNV, Thomas Wilhelmsen, CEO, Wilhelmsen Group, and Kjerstin Braathen, CEO, DNB, to name just a few.

Nor-Shipping Director Karen Algaard says the enthusiasm shown for the Ocean Now initiative speaks for itself.

Global demand

“We were forced to postpone Nor-Shipping, but we won’t, and can’t, be forced into a state of inaction, choosing to ‘wait and see’; maintaining course while the world around us is in a state of flux,” she comments. “That’s not the right decision for Nor-Shipping as a global event, and it’s certainly not the right decision for the industry we support – an industry facing real challenges, but also genuine opportunities.

“The interest, participation and excitement for Ocean Now provides proof of concept. We saw real ocean leaders not only coming together to represent their organisations, but passionately engaging in key themes. Those included the energy transition, financing the future, charting the regulatory horizon, and how they can work together when necessary, but also enhance progress through competition, to deliver the products, services and innovations the world demands. You could feel the electricity through the screen at times. I thought it was a great advertisement for a new way of working together.”

First for business

Despite the success of the programme, which also included the industry’s first dedicated business talk show – The Today Show by Nor-Shipping – Nor-Shipping is committed to consolidating its position as the leading physical meeting place for ocean businesses, with the next global gathering taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm 10-13 January, 2022.

Algaard and fellow Director Per Martin Tanggaard used an appearance on The Today Show to reiterate this commitment, discussing new additions to the activity calendar (such as an offshore wind conference) and the prospect of a “winter wonderland” Nor-Shipping, with tailored events, networking activities, and the excitement of being the entire industry’s first meeting place post pandemic.

Excitement awaits

“The success of Nor-Shipping has been built on our platform of providing a face-to-face arena where the industry can connect, build relationships and unlock new business opportunities together,” comments Tanggaard. “We see Ocean Now as a complementary initiative rather an alternative – a new tool that can be utilised to create value for our audience and support their business ambitions, while also building anticipation for Nor-Shipping itself and the chance to, finally, see one another once again.

“I think the one thing that Ocean Now has made clear is the passion we all share for progress and sustainable success. And that’s something we can’t achieve in isolation. We need one another – and one another’s expertise, experience and assets – to enable the future we want, and society demands. It’ll be interesting to see how the discussions we’ve seen this week can evolve into action and activity we can help showcase and support at Nor-Shipping 2022. I can’t wait. And I know I’m not alone.”

Ocean Now also featured partner events from DNV, DNB, Skuld, KONGSBERG, Jotun, and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, among others, a high level UNGC debate on shipping’s green transition and much more.  Ocean Now content is available to view online at nor-shipping.com/ocean now and will also be added to the Nor-Shipping YouTube channel shortly.

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The future won’t wait’ is the message as industry gathers for Nor-Shipping’s Ocean Now

Container operations in Shahid Rajaei port, as the largest container port in Iran, increased by 11%.

PMO News Portal – Regarding the container operation of Shahid Rajaei Port in the (Iranian) new year, Alireza Mohammadi Karaji Ran; The Director General of Ports and Maritime of Hormozgan stated: In the first two months of this year, a total of 267,702 TEU containers (each TEU is equivalent to a 20-foot container) have been Unloaded and loaded in the container terminals of this port. Comparing this amount of container operations with the same period last year (243,555 TEU containers) shows an 11% growth.

Director General of Ports and Maritime of Hormozgan, referred to the 49% growth in exports in the first two months of this year compared to the same period last year and said: In total, 81,036 TEU containers have been exported in Shahid Rajaei port in the first two months of this year.

Shahid Rajaei Port is the largest and most advanced container port in Iran with the most advanced container terminals that benefits from the latest equipment, which supports the unloading and loading of 85% of container goods among all ports of the country.

With the completion and operation of the third phase of the container terminal of Shahid Rajaei port, its container capacity will increase to 8.5 million TEU.

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https://www.pmo.ir/en/news/54310/49-growth-in-exports-from-Shahid-Rajaei-port

The Director General of Port Affairs of the Ports and Maritime Organization reported on the most important measures of PMO in order to timely clear basic commodities from the country’s ports.

PMO News Portal – Ravanbakhsh Behzadian stated: The Ports and Maritime Organization has taken action by continuously attending the meetings of the Market Regulation Headquarters and presenting the needed reports in order to approve the items for clearance and transit of basic commodities from the ports in the shortest possible time.

He continued: Considering that the clearance of goods such as wheat, corn, barley, soybean and oil had problems with the issuance of licenses, which were resolved in the new meetings, the necessary licenses were received from the relevant agencies without administrative procedures.

“Reporting on the inventory of basic commodities on a daily basis to the relevant authorities and related organizations such as Customs, Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade, Central Bank, etc. is one of the most important measures on the agenda.” said Behzadian.

Correspondence and coordination and holding meetings with related organizations such as Customs, Veterinary Organization and National Standard Organization of Iran to expedite the procedure Work related to the clearance of basic commodities from ports is another important measure in this regard.

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https://www.pmo.ir/en/news/54311/PMO-s-measures-to-accelerate-the-clearance-of-goods-from-ports