“We are delighted to have found a successor who can continue to build on the excellent work carried out by Angus Frew in positioning BIMCO as the world’s largest international shipping association. David has outstanding communications skills and is a proven leader of an international shipping-related business,” BIMCO President, Sadan Kaptanoglu said announcing his appointment. Prior to joining IMarEST, Mr Loosley ran operations at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) where he was responsible for the transition from analogue to digital navigational products, and chaired the Digital Geospatial Information Working Group (DGWIG) to help drive global standardisation. He has also served at sea for 10 years in the UK Royal Navy. Alongside his executive responsibilities, Mr Loosley was a member of the UK Government’s Maritime 2050 Expert Panel and is a member of the UK Clean Maritime Council. “I am very excited to be joining BIMCO at this critical time for the industry where a volatile market, new technology and increasing environmental regulation are all having a significant impact. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors to build on the work of my predecessor and to ensure that BIMCO maintains its relevance and leadership position, continuing to provide practical solutions and expert advice to its members and the wider maritime community,” Mr Loosley said. Angus Frew, BIMCO’s current Secretary General & CEO, had previously announced that he will be stepping down in the summer of 2020 after leading the organisation for seven years as he wishes to spend more time in the UK and less time working.
London Court of International Arbitration orders the Republic of Djibouti to immediately restore DP World to its rights and benefits under container terminal concession
An independent expert has estimated the losses to DP World at more than USD 1 billion. The ruling by the Tribunal said Djibouti had acted illegally when it forcibly removed DP World from management of the terminal in February 2018, claimed it had terminated the Concession Agreement and transferred the Terminal assets to a state-owned entity. The latest tribunal ruling is the sixth substantive ruling in DP World’s favour in the London Court of International Arbitration and the High Court of England and Wales. To date all have been ignored by Djibouti despite the original contract for the concession being written under and governed by English law. The Doraleh Container Terminal is the largest employer and biggest source of revenue in the country and has operated at a profit every year since it opened. The Doraleh Container Terminal was found by an English court to have been a “great success” for Djibouti under DP World’s management. DP World now awaits proposals from Djibouti about how it intends to comply with the latest legal ruling. If Djibouti does not comply with the ruling, the Tribunal has stated it will proceed to issue an award of damages. DP World is a leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain. It operates multiple related businesses – from marine and inland terminals, maritime services, logistics and ancillary services to technology-driven trade solutions. With a portfolio of 78 operating marine and inland terminals supported by over 50 related businesses in over 40 countries across six continents with a significant presence in both high-growth and mature markets, the company enjoys strong relationships with governments around the world, working in partnership to strengthen economies through investment in infrastructure and the implementation of smart trade solutions.
SC Ports reports best volumes yet in 2019
S.C. Ports handled 1.38 million pier containers — as measured by the total number of boxes handled — in 2019 at the Wando Welch and North Charleston terminals. Of those, more than 1.1 million containers went across the docks of the Wando terminal whilst major renovations were ongoing to enhance the terminal’s big-ship readiness capabilities. Breakbulk cargo grew in 2019 with 725,828 pier tons handled, up nearly 10% from a year ago. The Port also handled 225,191 vehicles, up 4%, and 262,776 cruise passengers, up 24%, in 2019.
Inland Port Greer and Inland Port Dillon also saw record breaking activity in 2019 with 190,539 combined rail moves, up 41% year-over-year. S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome said volumes were strong across business segments in 2019, despite ongoing global trade issues. “We enter 2020 with a great decade of growth behind us, during which we doubled our volumes, tripled our asset base and added more than 200 people to our team,” Newsome said. “Our cargo growth and efficient terminals are only made possible through the dedication of our team and the broader maritime community.”
S.C. Ports handled 187,882 TEUs at the Wando Welch and North Charleston container terminals in December. This brings the total TEUs handled thus far in fiscal year 2020, from July through December, to 1.23 million, up nearly 4% year-over-year. The Port moved 105,783 pier containers in December for a total of 694,656 pier containers thus far in fiscal year 2020. Breakbulk and vehicle cargo have seen strong year-over-year growth. The Port handled 45,816 pier tons in December for a total of 356,179 pier tons in fiscal year 2020, up 39% from the same period a year ago. The Port moved 16,436 vehicles across Columbus Street Terminal in December for a total of 115,607 vehicles in fiscal year 2020, up nearly 36%. Inland Port Greer reported 10,735 rail moves in December for a total of nearly 75,000 rail moves in fiscal year 2020, up 23% year-over-year. Inland Port Dillon, now in its second year of operation, reported 3,027 rail moves in December for a total of nearly 17,000 rail moves for the fiscal year, up 32%.
“Our ongoing growth supports our long-planned, vital infrastructure projects, which are close to becoming a reality. In 2021, S.C. Ports will open the first phase of the Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal and achieve a 52-foot depth in Charleston Harbour,” Newsome said. “Our enhanced capacity and big-ship capabilities make the Port of Charleston ideal for cargo owners wanting access to both Southeast consumers and global markets.” It has been one year since S.C. Ports Authority moved into its new headquarters building in Mount Pleasant.
Port officials wanted office operations located next to terminal operations; the new office overlooks Wando Welch Terminal. The four-story building also accommodates the Port’s growing workforce, which now encompasses more than 730 employees. The 80,000-square-foot building has numerous shared workspaces, meeting rooms and employee amenities. The cafeteria, aptly named The Galley, brings employees together every day, promoting better cross-functional communication, brainstorming sessions and camaraderie. The building has also received recognition in The Art Mag for the agency’s decision to invest in the Lowcountry art community. The Port’s building and design committee hired Sarah Miller Gelber of Canvas Charleston and Miller Gallery to fill its new office with works from local artists.
SCPA’s headquarters now has more than 90 pieces of original artwork on its walls, including pieces from Marina Dunbar, John Duckworth, Mary Edna Fraser, Kate Hooray Osmond, Fletcher Williams, Heather Jones, Emily Brown and Jason Ogden, as well as in-house photographers and SCPA employees, English Purcell and Marion Bull.
Gelber said this effort by S.C. Ports positively impacts artists in the community, helping an artist pay down a school loan and assisting a gallery owner during a slow season, among other anecdotes.
“Their willingness to utilise the creative talent in their own community is a model I implore other businesses, large and small, to exercise,” Gelber said in her piece for The Art Mag. “In a time when it’s frighteningly easy to have all purchases dropped at our door with a click of a button, it’s important to remember that there is a soul behind every piece of original art. That unique soul is connected to others, and, in the end, we’re all connected — bringing to light the SCPA’s motto: The World Connects Here.”
Port of Ashdod provides Naval Dome with its first reference for port-dome cyber security system
The Port of Ashdod will start pilot trials of the Port-Dome cyber protection on several systems in early 2020, after which the technology will be installed across the port’s entire network. This will include traffic control systems (VTMS/VTS), berths, bridges, locks and gates, terminal cranes and storage facilities, and all access points and gateways. Itai Sela, CEO, Naval Dome, said: “Port-Dome is uniquely designed for port OT systems which, as we have seen from past experience, are susceptible to cyber-attack if not protected. Port-Dome is the leading solution for port and terminal operators as it provides the highest level of cyber defence without having to upgrade systems or change existing infrastructures. No training is required, and the Port of Ashdod’s OT systems will continue to operate in the same as they did prior to the installation. The only difference being hackers will be unable to gain access.”
Naval Dome will begin the retrofit security installation in 1Q2020, followed by integrating Port-Dome into new systems and equipment in the future. “Once Port-Dome has been installed, the Port of Ashdod will be one of the most secure container terminals in operation,” added Sela. Orna Hozman Bechor, Ashdod Port’s Chairwoman added: “With the security of the world’s ports and terminals vital to ensuring the supply of energy, commodities and consumer goods to market, we have partnered with Naval Dome to ensure that should a cyber event take place it does not affect the port’s or our customers’ operations. Port Dome is technological must-have for any automated port with network-based OT systems. Ashdod Port overcame the red tape many governmental companies deal with and is now connected to the worlds of innovation and technology. I am proud to lead the first port in Israel to have stepped up to the challenge bringing Ashdod Port to an advanced global standard.”
Naval Dome’s Vice-President, Marketing, Paola Rossi, said: “The impact of a cyber-attack cannot be underplayed. With expanding OT-based systems and network-based technologies, alongside the increase in systems using GPS-based location services, seaports will become increasingly susceptible to attack. If successful hackers can paralyse the supply chain’s central artery; shut down port operations, damage systems, result in human casualties, and financial and reputation loss.” Ashdod Port, about 40km from Tel Aviv, is the foremost gateway to the State of Israel. With an annual container throughput of more than 1.5m TEUs, it handles the largest volume of containers of all Israeli ports. The port has also seen growth in general and bulk cargoes.