CARGOCONNECT-AUGUST2024 - Flipbook - Page 78
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Panama Canal Authority plans new reservoir
to alleviate drought impact
T
he Panama Canal Authority
is set to build a new US$1.6
billion water reservoir
within the next six years to
address drought conditions that
have disrupted traïc through the
vital waterway. A court ruling on
July 8 enabled the authority to
reinterpret a 2006 regulation,
allowing expansion beyond its
existing watershed.
The proposed reservoir will
be located along the Indio River
and will augment the network of
lakes supplying water to Gatun
Lake, which is crucial for the
canal9s lock system. Droughts in
2023 reduced daily canal traïc
from an average of 36 ships to 31.
However, with the rainy season
easing the situation, transits have
recently increased to 34 ships
per day.
Canal administrator Ricaurte
Vazquez anticipates the new reservoir will stabilise transit rates
and enhance route reliability. The
authority still needs approval
from 12,000 residents in 200
villages around the Indio River,
with discussions expected to last
1-2 years, followed by 3-4 years
of construction.
Hapag-Lloyd rebrands terminal division as
Hanseatic Global Terminals
H
ap a g-L loyd9s
terminal and
infrastructure
division has rebranded
as Hanseatic Global
Terminals, a move
reflecting its growth
ambitions
and
maritime heritage.
Launched in June 2023, Hanseatic
Global Terminals operates as
an independent unit based in
Rotterdam, aiming to enhance
operational eïciency and promote sustainable growth.
Inspired by the Hanseatic
League, the rebranding emphasises the company's commitment to quality and expansive
terminal operations. Under the
leadership of Dheeraj Bhatia, CEO,
the company is set to manage
investments across 20 terminals
in 11 countries. Key facilities include Container
Terminal Altenwerder
in Hamburg, JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven,
and Terminal TC3 in
Tangier, with Terminal
2 in Damietta currently
under construction.
The rebranding
aligns with Hanseatic Global
Terminals9 goal to improve service reliability and efficiency,
supporting sustainability eforts
while strengthening its global
presence through strategic
acquisitions and investments.
Port of Rotterdam implements Secure
Chain for container cargo
fective October 01, 2024, the Port of Rotterdam
will exclusively use the Secure Chain for
collecting container cargo from Africa, the
Middle East, India, and Pakistan. This initiative
marks the third phase of the Secure Chain rollout
in Rotterdam, following successful implementations
for Latin America from April 01 and North America
from July 01. Ultimately, the Secure Chain will
cover container releases from all global regions.
Under the new protocol, major shipping lines
including CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping, Maersk,
MSC, and others will no longer issue PIN codes.
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Instead, only authorised hauliers, rail operators,
and barge operators registered via the Secure
Chain will access terminals. This unioed approach
ensures secure and reliable container collection
without PIN code vulnerabilities.
Since its inception, the Secure Chain has
processed nearly 275,000 containers, involving
approximately 950 shippers/ship agents and 800
inland operators. The system operates through
Portbase, the neutral logistics platform for Dutch
ports, facilitating secure digital authorisations
among trusted parties in a closed logistics chain.
Omani wealth
fund-backed port
operator eyes
expansion into Asia
Group, supported by
Afund,syad
Oman’s sovereign wealth
is aiming to expand its
footprint in the global shipping
market by acquiring or operating
ports in Southeast Asia, India,
and Africa. The company is
currently in talks to manage a
port in Malaysia, though details
remain undisclosed. Asyad
is also exploring additional
opportunities in the region, with
potential deals expected to close
next year. With $4 billion in
assets, Asyad seeks to diversify
beyond its Middle Eastern base,
capitalising on growing global
shipping demand. The firm
operates 91 vessels transporting
crude, LNG, chemicals, and other
goods. Asyad is interested in
majority or full ownership stakes
in new ports to align with its
strategic goals. The company
manages three major Omani
ports.
Scan Global
Logistics expands
into Saudi Arabia
lobal freight forwarder Scan
Gannounced
Global Logistics (SGL) has
its strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia, opening
new offices in Riyadh and Jeddah. This move establishes SGL’s
presence in the Central and West
Provinces, with plans to further
expand to Dammam in the East
Province by 2024. This expansion
highlights SGL's recognition of
Saudi Arabia's significant market
potential. Saudi Arabia, one of
the world’s fastest-growing
economies, serves as a pivotal
gateway to the Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) countries, Europe,
Asia, and Africa. Its strategic
location makes it an ideal
distribution hub for these
regions. The country’s heavy
investment in infrastructure and
efforts to diversify its economy
underscore the growing demand
for advanced logistics solutions.
