Sea

After a hiatus of over two years following Russia’s invasion, container ships are once again docking at Ukrainian ports along the Black Sea. Hapag-Lloyd, a major shipping company, has reinstated Odesa in its operational network, facilitated by Iteris Feeder vessels. This revival comes after container connections to Ukrainian seaports were halted due to the outbreak of full-scale conflict in February 2022, which saw Russian military assaults on Ukrainian port infrastructure, crippling the country’s economy and threatening global grain supplies.

Antwerp Euroterminal (AET) is set to pioneer green maritime practices in Belgium by introducing the country’s first shore power connection for seagoing vessels. Scheduled for operation in 2026, this cutting-edge installation aligns with international ISO standards and signifies a significant step towards sustainable port operations. By enabling docked ships to tap into the local electricity grid, shore power minimizes emissions of CO2, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate matter, fostering improved air quality and reduced environmental noise in port areas.

At a meeting of the expert group in the port of Aktau, topical issues of seaport development were discussed. The meeting participants, including managers and specialists of the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, AMST LLP and Semurg Invest LLP, discussed practical ways to solve these problems. Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Railway and Water Transport of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kasym Tlepov, emphasized the importance of intersectoral coordination of government bodies to increase the profitability of water transport enterprises. Experts have developed algorithms and an action plan to resolve these issues.

As part of strategic investment projects aimed at expanding seaports, the ERSAI sea terminal, included in the infrastructure of the port of Kuryk, successfully received the first two bulk carriers “Nikolai Psomiadi” and “Omsky 105” with oversized cargo weighing up to 300 tons each for the company “AKSA Energy” . This company is engaged in the construction of new power units at the Talimarjan Thermal Power Plant in Uzbekistan. The main carrier for this project is CJ ICM Logistics.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges has recently achieved a significant milestone in the expansion of the Southern Canal Dock, with the completion of a crucial phase. Through the efforts of Belgian dredging company DEME, nearly 1 million m³ of dredged material was moved, resulting in the creation of an additional 600 metres of quayside space for ICO’s RoRo ships. 

Representatives of Jiangsu Province (PRC), together with the State Committee for Development and Reform of the province, visited the seaport of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The discussion concerned the participation of the port of Lianyungang in a joint venture with the companies of the group of JSC NC Kazakhstan Temir Zholy for the construction and operation of a container hub in the port of Aktau.

GAZ-SYSTEM has entered into collaborative agreements with the Port of Gdańsk and the Maritime Office in Gdynia to advance a critical investment for Poland’s security – the establishment of a floating LNG terminal of the FSRU type within the Port of Gdańsk. This strategic investment aims to enhance the diversification of Poland’s natural gas supply sources, ensuring the security of over 30% of the country’s energy demand. 

A recent successful research project has brought remote-controlled, coordinated driving in inland navigation closer to reality. Spearheaded by the Rhenus Group, the project focused on retrofitting the Ernst Kramer motor cargo vessel with cutting-edge technology, including lidar for laser scanning and mobile radio transmission. Testing took place in the port of Duisburg and on the Rhine-Herne Canal, where ten skippers honed their skills in mooring, casting off, and maneuvering from remote control stations. Initially skeptical, they eventually embraced the new technology, with a crew on board as a safety measure.

Amid shifting cargo dynamics catalyzed by the conflict in Ukraine, the Port of Riga witnesses a notable transformation in its cargo landscape. As energy transit cargo dwindles, containers emerge as the primary cargo group, driving a surge in container-related services. Notably, SIA “Rīgas Centrālais Termināls” (RCT), a subsidiary of JSC “Riga Port” group, stands out for its concerted efforts in developing the container repair segment within the port.

Klemens Materi, Project Manager for Corporate Development and Strategy at Duisburger Hafen, said that the history of the port in Duisburg dates back to 1816, and the company itself was registered as a joint stock company in 1926. In 2001, the “duisport” trademark was approved, under which the company became known throughout the world. Ownership of the port is divided between North Rhine-Westphalia and the city of Duisburg.