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Port of Antwerp-Bruges and CMB.TECH proudly announce the successful launch of the Hydrotug 1, the world’s first hydrogen-powered tugboat. The Hydrotug 1 utilizes BeHydro V12 dual fuel medium speed engines, burning a combination of hydrogen and traditional fuel. This groundbreaking technology enables a 65% reduction in traditional fuel consumption and associated emissions. With a capacity to store 415kg of compressed hydrogen on deck, the Hydrotug 1 emerges as a revolutionary vessel, eliminating emissions equivalent to 350 cars annually and reinforcing CMB.TECH’s global leadership in the transition to eco-friendly fuel-powered ships.

Port of Hamburg Beteiligungsgesellschaft SE, a fully owned subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (“MSC”), has concluded its voluntary public takeover offer to Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (“HHLA”) shareholders. At the close of the extended acceptance period on December 7, 2023, the offer garnered acceptance from shareholders holding 7,325,366 Class A shares, equivalent to 9.74% of the share capital. Additionally, MSC independently acquired 12.21% of HHLA shares on the open market. In combination with the Class A and S shares held by the City of Hamburg, the joint venture partners now collectively control 92.30% of HHLA’s share capital.

Investing over PLN 82 million, the Port of Gdańsk has successfully completed a significant project aimed at enhancing infrastructure in the Inner Port. As part of the long-term investment strategy, the project focused on the Przemysłowe Quay area, bringing improvements to land-side communication, optimizing cargo handling, and facilitating the commercialization of new investment zones. The comprehensive initiative involved the reconstruction of road and rail systems, spanning Przemysłowe Quay to Ku Ujście street and Chemików street to the ferry crossing along Bosmańska street through the Kaszubski Canal.

Today, the 12-deck passenger ship “Viking Cinderella” docked at the Port of Riga, bringing 1122 tourists on a winter cruise organized by the company “Viking Line.” The majority of visitors hail from Scandinavia, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, as well as Germany, Poland, Great Britain, and other countries. This marks the ship’s first winter visit to Riga, with two more calls scheduled for December, including the next one on December 18.

Belgium and Houston-based partners have taken a significant step towards transatlantic collaboration on green energy transition. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Center for Houston’s Future, Waterstofnet, Port Houston, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Exmar, and the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition. The agreement focuses on establishing a mutually beneficial partnership for renewable and low-carbon molecule import-export, creating a green shipping corridor, and facilitating the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and research.

The Freeport of Riga recently conducted its annual management meeting with stevedores, focusing on the port’s performance in the current year and outlining plans for the future. The port’s growth strategy emphasizes not only cargo handling but also ongoing digitization, industrial cluster development, and substantial investments in infrastructure. Notably, the containerized cargo segment experienced a 7% increase, and the agricultural cargo segment grew by 15%, contributing to a potentially record-breaking year for the Port of Riga. Investments in infrastructure development by port merchants reached EUR 30.6 million in 2022 and EUR 166 million over the last five years.

Representatives from the 45 partner companies of the Clean Port & Logistics (CPL) cluster gathered for their annual meeting in Hamburg on December 8, 2023. Established by Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) last year, the CPL cluster focuses on testing emission-free equipment in port logistics in collaboration with partner companies. During the meeting, discussions among representatives centered on the initial results of working groups, with presentations from Hyster and LifteH2 updating attendees on the development of hydrogen-powered handling equipment and its fuelling. The German Aerospace Center also introduced the “ZERO-EMISSION PORT” project, outlining measures for the climate-friendly transformation of the port’s industry and logistics activities. Following the meeting, cluster members visited the Port of Hamburg to explore test fields and observe the first industrial applications of hydrogen-powered and battery-electric handling equipment at HHLA container terminals Tollerort and Altenwerder.

The Kijfhoek marshalling yard near Rotterdam, hailed as Europe’s hub, plays a vital role in connecting the port of Rotterdam with industrial zones across the continent. To accommodate future growth in freight volumes, Siemens Mobility embarked on a colossal modernization project for the 50-hectare site, featuring 14 entry sidings, 41 sorting sidings, and 12 stabling sidings. The magnitude of the project goes beyond its sheer size, with unique challenges such as accommodating cargo with excess width and navigating locomotive changes during the journey.

Switzerland’s transalpine freight transport by rail has long maintained a higher proportion compared to other Alpine nations. However, four years post the completion of the NRLA (New Rail Link through the Alps), signs of limitations to the modal shift’s success are emerging. Despite initial growth, the share is decreasing due to challenges such as numerous infrastructure works, diversions, cancellations, high track and energy prices, and railway competitiveness, affecting transit.

On Thursday 7 December, Masdar, a prominent global clean energy company, has joined forces with the Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, and Zenith Energy Terminals to embark on a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) aimed at assessing the feasibility of a dedicated liquefied green hydrogen supply chain. This collaboration follows an earlier Memorandum of Understanding signed between Masdar and four Dutch companies. The focus of the JSA is to explore the potential of producing green hydrogen by Masdar and exporting it to the port of Amsterdam, thereby supplying hydrogen to regional industries and the broader European hinterland.