European seaports Archivos - Prosertek

Applying Edge and Cloud Computing in the Maritime Industry

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Today, the world of information technology is undergoing an unprecedented evolution, driven by two revolutionary concepts: Edge Computing and Cloud Computing. These two technologies have transformed the way companies manage, process, and store data, enabling greater efficiency, scalability, and agility in an increasingly competitive business environment. In this article, we will explore in depth what Edge and Cloud Computing is, how they complement each other, and the advantages they offer for the maritime industry. What are Edge and Cloud Computing? Edge Computing refers to the practice of processing and analyzing data close to its origin, i.e., on devices or servers closest to the source of data generation. Unlike Cloud Computing, which involves sending data to remote data centers for processing, Edge Computing brings computing and analytics capability directly to the edge of the network, close to the connected devices. This offers several advantages, such as lower latency, faster processing, and the ability to make real-time decisions. Both belong to the fourth industrial revolution along with the internet of things. Cloud computing, on the other hand, is based on the delivery of computing services over the Internet. Instead of maintaining local servers and equipment, companies can access computing resources, such as […]

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Innovation in port risk management

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 07:39:00 +0000

Effective risk management is essential in any industry, but in the case of ports, where safety and the flow of goods are paramount, innovation in this area becomes even more relevant. Today, technological solutions are revolutionizing the way ports address risks, and new tools are being implemented to mitigate accidents and failures more efficiently. The port industry plays a vital role in global trade, facilitating the efficient movement of goods and commodities around the world. However, this dynamic environment also presents unique challenges in terms of safety and security. In an ever-evolving world, ports must adopt new security trends and solutions to protect their operations and safeguard the flow of global trade. In this article, we will explore the most recent developments in port security. The evolution of port security: Port security has always been of paramount importance due to its role as a border control point and the risks associated with criminal activities and terrorist attacks. However, in the current context, greater attention to emerging threats and the adoption of cutting-edge measures are required to ensure the security of ports and the people who use them. The emergence of “Smart Ports” or “Ports 4.0” has led to greater integration […]

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The cruise ship sector in 2022: recovering what was lost

aukera — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 07:41:19 +0000

The cruise ship sector is picking up speed at a fast pace. While we said that 2021 was a year that the industry could just catch a glimpse of its pre-pandemic growth, 2022 is definitely the year to return to normalcy. The summer of 2022 saw tourism reactivate with strength, and this involves the cruise ship sector. 2022 is a transition period for the industry and 2023 is the year when the sector may return to growth, reaching numbers never seen before. Reactivating fleets Although not all cruise ships are operating again, most of them are, and many companies expect to have their fleets in operation this summer, such as MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), and Carnival Corporation. At NCL, they are talking about a strategy where they have slowly increased their occupation levels to maintain the integrity of prices. At Carnival, they highlight the fact that they have renewed their fleet, leaving some classic ships behind and adding new, more efficient vessels. The company plans to introduce half a dozen new ships in 2022 alone. MSC will also be introducing two more ships this year. According to CLIA data, in 2022 there are 272 cruise ships in operation, […]

La entrada The cruise ship sector in 2022: recovering what was lost se publicó primero en Prosertek.

United States, the number-one LNG exporter in 2022

aukera — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 07:44:51 +0000

In the first semester of 2022, the United States became the number-one worldwide exporter of LNG, mainly thanks to the increase in European demand. As such, at a time when the West is seeking alternatives to energy dependence on Russia, LNG exportation from the United States increased by 12%, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Since the end of last year, EU countries and Great Britain increased LNG imports to offset the reduction in Russian imports and fill natural gas storage inventories, given the uncertainty of the energy situation for winter. At this time, there is also a change in the energy model of many industries, which are switching coal and petroleum for natural gas with cleaner combustion. As a result, global imports of LNG to the EU and the United Kingdom increased by 63% during the first half of 2022, to an average of 14.8 Bcf/d. As such, the United States provided 47% of Europe’s total LNG imports, which accounts for 71% of the the United States’ LNG exports, a total of 8.2 Bcf/d. Currently, 14 countries in Europe have LNG import facilities and several countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, and Estonia have announced […]

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Electrification, the path towards “zero emissions” ports

aukera — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:02:30 +0000

Electrification at ports is one of the major challenges for the environmental efficiency of maritime transport, with many projects already underway in Europe. In fact, the Spanish government aims for all ports in the country to be electrified by 2030. We are going to look at how port electrification works, its benefits as well as the challenges it presents. What is port electrification A ship is like a mini city that requires energy to continue operating while docked at a port. This electricity comes from the boats’ auxiliary engines generating this energy. However, this model is shifting towards one where ships are increasingly taking their power from the ports’ electricity grid, known as “OPS (Onshore Power Supply)” technology. While this method is nothing new, it is now booming due to the new environmental regulations and the Green Ports concept. This allows ships to shut down its engines, resulting in major advantages, reducing not only polluting emissions that affect ports and cities but also noise levels. The system can also become more cost-effective. Innovation with challenges ahead However, the electrification of the docks involves major investments and challenges. To begin with, we must build an electrical transformation hub that must be […]

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The impact of the Fit for 55 proposal on the maritime sector

aukera — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 08:58:58 +0000

The EU is preparing for an ecological transition with the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction by 2030. This has been behind the development of the Fit for 55 package, which reviews climate, energy and transport legislation with several new proposals. These specifically involve 13 proposals that are completely reforming EU legislation in the above areas and spurring the European Green Pact into action. This therefore marks a milestone in the EU’s climate ambition for decarbonisation, making this a ground-breaking legislation on a global scale. The European Commission has grouped the proposals into 7 areas: A plan to transform our societies Making transport sustainable Leading the 3rd industrial revolution Cleaning our energy system Upgrading buildings Working with nature Boosting global climate action One of the pillars of the plan is the idea that the issue of CO2 should have a price. Under this premise, the sale of combustion engine cars will be banned from 2035, new carbon taxes have been set, housing buildings are being forced to be sustainable, and 40% of raw energy consumed must be renewable. While achieving these initiatives will require a major effort, it will be beneficial in the long run, […]

La entrada The impact of the Fit for 55 proposal on the maritime sector se publicó primero en Prosertek.

Moving towards the decarbonisation of ports

aukera — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:52:00 +0000

The maritime sector is at a major crossroads in terms of its future. Despite the determination to achieve decarbonisation by 2050, baseline data does not seem the most conducive to successfully slashing this in half. These are the findings from the latest IMO study, the first since the 2018 adoption of the decarbonisation strategy, establishing the commitment of member states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their international transport ships. The study quantifies the 2018 emissions of maritime transport at 1.076 billion tons of CO2, a figure that represents around 2.89% of the total CO2 emissions related to human activity. It also represents an increase compared to the 977 million tons recorded in 2012. Broken down, 740 million tons of CO2 belong to international maritime transport, which also represents an increase compared to the 701 million tons recorded in 2012. Emission projections Increased emissions based on 2008 data are estimated to be about 90% for 2018 and between 90% and 130% by 2050 for a series of plausible long-term economic and energy scenarios. More specifically, emissions could deviate from these forecasts as growth rates move up or down. The IMO expects emissions in 2020 and 2021 to be significantly lower […]

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Smart Ports, leaders in innovation

aukera — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 08:17:01 +0000

Digitalisation is an excellent opportunity for ports to increase their competitiveness while adopting new more efficient and ecological standards. However, a study by Innovez One reveals that 80% of ports are still not making use of the advantages of digitalisation. The study shows that most ports continue to use manual processes (personal interaction, paper, etc.) for managing marine services and port formalities. This leads to a series of ineffective processes and risks such as delays, excessive fuel use or lack of traceability. All of this reduces their capacity to compete in the same playing field as smart ports. Here are some of the ports worthy of note in regard to their use of this digitalisation. Antwerp The Port of Antwerp has successfully transitioned into a smart port by introducing different state-of-the-art technologies. Outstanding here its digital twin, a 3D copy of the port enabling the production of real-time simulations with no risk while improving the decision making process. In 2018 the port launched a pilot project involving the use of blockchain for the digital exchange of phytosanitary certificates for products imported to Europe. This technology guarantees and speeds up the safe exchange of documents and containers for all stakeholders. Another […]

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Virtual reality at ports

aukera — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 07:53:34 +0000

A digital twin is a virtual simulator called to shape the future of ports, helping them prevent accidents, allowing them to anticipate situations and creating parallel scenarios that allow safer and more efficient decision-making. But how exactly does a digital twin work and where is it being used? A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical environment throughout its lifetime. Put more plainly, it is a kind of digital clone that increases efficiency, in this case of a port, by up to 10%. The use of a digital twin helps turn big data on ports into usable information. This makes it easier to make decisions and minimises risk. For this reason, it is set to revolutionise port performance, offering operational efficiency, data management, and risk reduction. Training at ports Workers are trained through a digital twin at the Port of Montreal. This allows port staff to initially address day-to-day issues in a virtual environment. Thus, high-risk crises such as goods going on fire or toxic spills can be solved to cope with the disaster using virtual tools, without involving any actual danger. Just like in a video game, the level off difficulty can be increased and more serious […]

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Main types of port docks and their characteristics

aukera — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 06:39:29 +0000

A dock is the physical connection between earth and sea at a port. This union bears noteworthy complexity, into which we will delve in this review of the types of docks we may find, their uses and their characteristics. There are two fundamental concepts regarding docks: their destination and their physical surroundings. The destination of the dock determines the type of freight and vessels using it. This helps to define the length, depth and height, storage surface areas, etc. Knowledge of physical surroundings is fundamental in order to select the most efficient kind of dock. On one hand, this refers to phenomena such as tides, undertows, currents, and wind; on the other, the type of land, both at draft level and below. Types of docks based on configuration Gravity docks Gravity docks are docks where the land is contained by the very weight of the dock itself. Their reduced specific surface area makes them the most long-lasting. Caisson docks These consist of a pre-manufactured reinforced concrete caisson wall. These caissons are transferred by floating them to their location to be sunk and filled with concrete or aggregates. This dock is the most susceptible to inclement weather. Pre-manufactured block docks In […]

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