• 2017 November 24 11:14

    Europort confirms role as international maritime business hub

     Europort’s vital role as a hub for global maritime business was reflected in its continuing attractiveness to international visitors and a series of business deals signed while the 2017 event was in session.

    A busy four days in Rotterdam starting 7 November saw 26,733 visitors from 93 countries descend on the Rotterdam Ahoy venue, where a total of 1,100 exhibitors including 14 country pavilions welcomed guests, with many of the 40 side events focusing on three core themes: Big Data; The Human Factor; and The Environmental Age.

    In a first for Europort, the 2017 event also hosted the US Coast Guard’s Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) 2017 Awards, marking Rotterdam’s debut as a venue for the prestigious ceremony. The Awards recognized the contribution of 11 companies from the Netherlands which have made their vessels available for search and rescue around the world. Benjamin M. Strong, Director, AMVER Maritime Relations at the US Coast Guard, said: “Rotterdam is a major port and presenting AMVER awards to our Dutch partners at Europort just made sense.”

    Among other innovations this year was a special breakfast organised by inland shipping association Royal BLN-Schuttevaer, presenting a vision for inland waterway transport, followed by a discussion with politicians formatted in the style of popular Dutch TV show 'Dit was het nieuws' (‘This was the News’). Meanwhile, a new mini-symposium on the Royal Netherlands Navy replacement programmes saw the Netherlands Maritime Technology and the NIDV Foundation introduce discussions on the opportunities and challenges connected with building new Dutch submarines, frigates and minesweepers.

    Also jostling for attention at Europort 2017 were the strongly-attended CEDA Dredging Days and the well-received RINA ‘Power & Propulsion Alternatives for Ships’ event, which explored new fueling propositions for ships and the use of emissions-free technologies including renewables. Europort’s topical approach to constituencies that other events find hard to reach was further demonstrated in a special OSPAR gathering focusing on Handling (Plastic) garbage in the Fishing Sector.

    The Europort 2017 agenda was enhanced by four ‘masterclasses’ offering insights into subjects that are now firmly part of the maritime lexicon. A Human Resources masterclass, for example, underpinned the broad-based commitment of Europort 2017 to Human Capital, in its role as a catalyst for the next maritime generation. The week brought the innovative Meet Your

    Peers Event, organised by Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT), and the YoungShip 'Captains of industry and how to become one’ seminar.

    Albrecht Grell, Executive Vice President DNV GL, told the opening Europort session that “if the maritime industry is not at the forefront of technology, the next generation will not be there – the industry will not be interesting enough for them”. Accordingly, this year’s event included the Start-Up Plaza, where new maritime entrepreneurs put on five-minute pitches on a special stage within the plaza. The last day also saw a 'Maximising Young Talent' showcase session that allowed 10 would-be entrepreneurial students to pitch their innovations at ‘Speakers' Corner’, with the best winning prizes awarded by jury and public vote selection.

    Energy Efficiency and ‘Big Data’ also warranted separate masterclasses, with the latter reflecting the emergence of an industry game-changer as far as fleet management is concerned. “When it comes to gathering KPIs such as fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance, collecting and understanding data is crucial,” suggested Matt Duke, VP Digital platform, Maritime Industry – Kongsberg Digital.

    Meanwhile, while most people are familiar with the Internet of Things, its impact on the supply chain is less well understood. Europort 2017 included a special masterclass focusing on Blockchain technology, and the advantages of distributed ledgers.

    Elsewhere, the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) opened a ‘Shipowners Lounge’ and, all round, the Rotterdam event once more demonstrated its credentials as a vital meeting place for maritime business, positioned at the heart of a global community.

    Yannick Eberhard, Simulator Engineer for PROMARIN described Europort as “the perfect match between clients and suppliers”. Caterpillar Marine unveiled its new multi-engine optimisation tool for the first time while, exhibition visitors were also introduced to new propulsion, automation and wheelhouse technology for tugs. These included thruster technologies from Veth Propulsion, who introduced its integrated electric-driven L-drive at the exhibition, and the presentation of integrated X-Connect automation, alarm monitoring and power control systems by Ulstein Power & Control.

    Furthermore, Dr. Hossein Ghorbani, CEO of Iran’s Arvandan shipbuilding company, commented: “Arvandan signed a MoU with DAMEN Shipyards covering the construction of two offshore vessels. After this exhibition, many high-profile companies are looking forward to developing collaboration with Arvandan and we have had a very good exchange with the manufacturers and equipment suppliers.”

    The next edition of Europort will be held between 5-8 November 2019.


2024 March 28

18:05 Jan De Nul, ENGIE and Equans launch a pilot project centred around the use of Vanadium Redox Flow batteries
17:35 Latvian port equipment manufacturer Bleste introduces new bulk handling ‘bucket’
17:05 Investors upgrade Navios Maritime Partners
16:25 DEME reports 22% increase in the orderbook and a record-high turnover of 3.3 billion euros in 2023
16:14 MABUX: Bunker Outlook, Week 13, 2024
15:41 AD Ports Group announced the opening of Saadiyat Marina & Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina
15:11 Sydney invests $11.5 million in two new operational vessels designed by Incat Crowther
14:55 China’s Jinzhao wins Peru $405m port construction contract
14:13 APM Terminals Moín handled six million TEU
13:48 ClassNK grants Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two innovative initiatives by MOL
13:37 Konecranes launches its flagship Konecranes X-series industrial crane
12:53 United European Car Carriers UECC spearheads collaboration with industry leaders to advance CNSL as a sustainable marine fuel
12:26 Ocean Network Express announces Transpacific service
11:48 Yang Ming announces 2025 Trans-Pacific service network
11:24 Fincantieri signs contract for the supply of two PPAs to Indonesia
10:42 Maersk transported more than 660,000 TEU using clean fuel in 2023
10:23 Documentation delays push industry costs to $3bn
09:48 PONANT and FARWIND Energy partner to develop green hydrogen refueling solutions

2024 March 27

18:22 Bureau Veritas awards world’s first prototype certification for SolarDuck’s floating offshore solar solution
17:58 The recently converted Allseas's shallow water pipelay barge starts preparations for its first commercial project
17:38 The Port of Rotterdam calls on the European Commission and Parliament to focus on actively promoting green energy
15:23 SEFE to become sole shareholder of WIGA
14:53 Ocean Installer secures yet another SLM contract with Equinor
14:23 Cadeler signs offshore wind turbine installation contract for the vessel Wind Scylla
13:42 Carnival Cruise Line orders 5th Excel-class cruise ship
13:11 Maersk and MSC overcharging cargo owners for EU ETS, says T&E
12:52 The Port Authority of Valencia launches the ZAL project in the Port of Valencia
12:11 Clarkson Port Services and Peak Group collaborate to deliver Port Agency services across the North Sea
11:42 Wan Hai Lines holds ship naming ceremony for new vessels
11:24 Consolidated shipping lines EBIT loss was $1.44 billion in Q4 2023: Sea-Intelligence
10:49 Seaspan Shipyards receives long-term contracts for the pre-construction work of the the Canadian Coast Guard's first six multi-mission vessels
10:14 Woodside completes sale of 10% scarborough interest

2024 March 26

18:02 COSCO Shipping Lines introduces new Americas service
17:30 Davie awarded first contract for design of icebreaker fleet under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy
17:04 Sanctions complicate Arctic LNG ship sales, Hanwha Ocean says - Bloomberg
16:57 Terntank places an order for 1+1 additional wind/ methanol-ready hybrid tanker
16:28 BW LNG completes acquisition of two TFDE vessels from Stena Bulk
15:50 Hanwha Ocean develops VR-based special vehicle simulator
15:20 TotalEnergies and SINOPEC join forces to produce sustainable jet fuel at a SINOPEC's refinery
14:52 Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to guarantee operational reliability of new wind farm installation vessel
14:23 Hudong-Zhonghua launches two LNG carriers
13:51 Cargo ship hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge
13:12 Final sanctioned tanker with Russian Sokol oil to reach China port - Reuters
12:42 Adani Ports acquires 95% of Odisha's Gopalpur Port from SP Group for $162 million
12:21 IHI and Yara Clean Ammonia agree to jointly assess clean ammonia business collaboration
11:41 Yara Clean Ammonia and Azane granted safety permit to build world's first low emission ammonia bunkering terminal
11:16 Wartsila and Royal Caribbean Group celebrate 15 years of collaboration on digital transformation
10:46 A global carbon tax on shipping is coming, says ABS Chairman and CEO
10:21 Eni, Fincantieri and RINA establish partnership for maritime transport decarbonization

2024 March 25

18:07 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore continues to investigate reports of oil spills off the port of Tuas
17:31 “K” Line, NIPPON HAKUYO and OPT Gate sign an agreement for a new fire detection system for car carriers
17:07 Greek merchant fleet recorded slight decline in January 2024
16:47 Hanwha Ocean Plans to develop green technology and naval ships
16:25 U-Ming Singapore and ITOCHU sign milestone MoU for the joint development of ammonia dual-fuel and de-carbonized vessels
15:34 Svitzer targets methanol-fuelled MAN 175DF-M engine for tug application
15:04 Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs contracts for four 9,300 CEU vessels with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard
14:40 Taiwan International Port to upgrade terminal facility at Kaohsiung
13:59 Сruise ship Carnival Freedom catches fire near Bahamas
12:59 Hanwha Ocean wins 2.4 tln-won order for 8 LNG ships
11:16 Inland Ports meet in Paris to talk about the innovation potential of inland ports
10:50 IMO agrees possible outline for maritime “net-zero framework”
10:24 Hapag-Lloyd to continue to avoid the Red Sea route
09:58 QatarEnergy enters time charter agreements with Nakilat for the operation of 25 LNG vessels

2024 March 24

16:18 Inchgreen Marine Park upgraded as part of £11m investment
15:14 A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Solent Rail Terminal Rail was held at the Port of Southampton
14:08 ESNA and Strategic Marine join forces to offer Surface Effect Ship (“SES”) Crew Transfer Vessels (“CTV”) to the market
13:07 First LNG powered vessel calls at HIP
12:49 Inter-array cable installation completed at Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm
11:32 Equinor ASA posts net income at USD 11.9 billion in 2023
09:25 Edda Wind announces the sale of Edda Passat