US$50 BILLION EXPENDITURE FORECAST ON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

The findings of a survey recently conducted by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) indicate investment in the order of US$50bn in green facilities including shore power, clean fuel handling equipment, electric grid infrastructure and hydrogen energy infrastructure over the next decade.

Fifty eight per cent of respondents noted that they have initiated projects to provide vessels with alternative fuels including hydrogen, ammonia and LNG. Sixty three per cent of respondents reported completing investments aimed at providing electric-powered cargo handling equipment and support vehicles.

Interestingly, 83 per cent of port authorities reported that they faced problems in sourcing equipment and other materials needed to develop green facilities. It is not made clear if this is seen as a short-term or

Transnet Cuts

South Africa’s state-owned Transnet has taken the decision to reduce its freight rail network by around 35 per cent. The 12,247 mile rail network will be cut by 4000 miles as the company implements an overall restructuring of Transnet Freight Rail. The decision to scale down the network has also been taken against a background of the ongoing theft of cables utilised to run its electric trains and a scarcity of locomotive parts.

BPA Welcome

Last month saw the launch of the UK Government’s GBP77 million Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure competition. The British Ports Association has formally welcomed the initiative identifying it as a source of funding to facilitate the installation of shore power. BPA underlines the point that, “no shore power project anywhere in the world has gone ahead without government funding.”

Amsterdam Deal

The Grimaldi Group has acquired new terminal assets in the Amerikahaven region of the Port of Amsterdam. The 20-year concession deal was struck by Grimaldi’s subsidiary, Amsterdam Multipurpose Terminal (AMT), and covers 200,000m2 of facilities comprising storage spaces, adjacent warehousing and supporting logistics areas, plus two cargo quays. Neapolitan Grimaldi Group owns 80 per cent of AMT.

8 The survey indicates growing demand for electric-powered equipment – seen here one of two electric Top Picks recently placed in service in the port of Oakland long-term problem. There is known to currently be very strong demand for clean fuel powered cargo handling equipment but as evidenced in the Terminal Tractor sector review, featured further on in this issue, efforts are now underway by key manufacturers to boost North America-based supply capacity..

AAPA further notes that provision has been made for funding to help the transition to green port infrastructure and superstructure. The Inflation Reduction Act provides funding for ports by making available Grants to Reduce Air Pollution at Ports. This is aimed at facilitating the purchase of zero-emission equipment and technology in general.

8 Following CMA Terminals and J M Baxi Ports and Logistics Limited securing the concession for the formerly public sector operated container terminal in Jawaharial Nehru Port, moves are underway to achieve a comprehensive upgrade of the terminal.’ Now renamed as the Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal Private Ltd, a US$131 million financing package has been secured from the Asian Development Bank to upgrade berths, refurbish yard areas and install electric equipment.

Briefs

Green Certification

Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V., an ICTSI terminal operating unit, is the first entity in Mexico’s port sector to be independently certified as carbon neutral. TUV Rheinland awarded the certification which confirmed Contecon Manzanillo’s positive efforts to offset greenhouse gas emissions through reduction and compensation measures. In 2021, the company’s direct and indirect CO2e emissions amounted to 25,368.67 tons while total offset emissions comprised 25,369 tons.