A machine park completely run on renewable fuels, a doubling of rail-borne freight and optimising of loading and discharge operations. These are parts of a new climate strategy launched by APM Terminals Gothenburg. The strategy supports the Port of Gothenburg climate goal of reducing carbon emissions by 70% throughout the whole of the Gothenburg area by 2030. The Port of Gothenburg is widely known as one of the most developed ports in the world regarding environment and climate issues, and it has been an early adaptor of actions for many years. Shoreside power for vessels has been available since the beginning of the 2000s, and a special port tariff discount for vessels that report a good environmental performance has been in place since 2013. Gothenburg Port Authority has been climate neutral since 2015. “A growing number of transport purchasers are demanding a solid, assertive, and quantifiable environment and climate work, which is a fact that gives us a competitive edge over other ports. Alongside increased digitalisation and growth, we regard our environment and climate work as a key factor that will enable us to achieve our vision of becoming the world’s most competitive port,” said Elvir Dzanic, Gothenburg Port Authority Chief Executive. To heighten its competitiveness even further, Gothenburg Port Authority adopted new and much more exacting environmental goals in October. Under these new goals, port-related carbon emissions will be reduced by 70 percent by 2030. Not only within the port itself but also throughout an area extending from the outer port entrance 15 kilometres the west, right up to the city boundary. “This is unique. There is no other port in the world that is working according to such a strict environmental target. But despite our spirit and determination, it will be difficult to realise our goals if we do not have the major players in and around the port with us all the way. We are extremely pleased with the investments that are being made by APM Terminals Gothenburg,” said Dzanic.

Entire terminal in focus

APM Terminals Gothenburg, the container terminal operator at the Port of Gothenburg, is now launching “Green Gothenburg Gateway”, an updated strategy for reducing the climate footprint of the terminal and which will underpin the Gothenburg Port Authority environmental goals. The terminal is aiming for a fossil-free future following a series of innovative measures, such as electrically operated cranes and gates, and terminal buildings heated by biogas. The container handling equipment, including more than 40 straddle carriers, will be powered by fossil-free fuel HVO100. All measures are to be implemented by 2020. APM Terminals Gothenburg has already put into operation a major programme designed to optimise vessels time at berth. Although 22 percent of vessels that call at the container terminal arrive later than agreed, ongoing optimisation of loading and discharge ensures that 97 percent of vessels leave the quayside at the appointed time, sometimes earlier. The vessels then avoid having to increase speed to make their next scheduled port of call, which would involve using more fuel.

Large rail investments 

Over the next three years, APM Terminals Gothenburg intends to double the freight volumes transported by rail. The operator has already modernised and increased the capacity of the terminal’s rail handling system.

Outside the terminal, the Gothenburg Port Authority has invested about 50 million Euros in the Railport Scandinavia network, including joint financing of the double-track expansion of the rail network leading into the port, and two rail-connected crossdocking terminals – the Arken Combi Terminal and the soon to be opened Svea Terminal. Initiatives that will generate the potential to raise volumes. “The Railport Scandinavia concept has allowed us to increase rail capacity and frequency significantly, but still ensure rail remains viable from an environmental point of view. The investments made by us and APM Terminals Gothenburg have resulted in rail becoming an even more attractive option. This year alone we have seen a 20 percent rise in volumes, said Claes Sundmark, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Gothenburg Port Authority.

The final publication of these new international safety and quality Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are set to have a massive impact on the future growth of the drone industry throughout the world, and, are the product of several years of cooperation and rigorous interrogation from all sectors of society. This important first step is part of a wider deliverable by ISO which is expected to trigger rapid acceleration in the use of air drones by organisations keen to reap the rewards of this transformative technology, against a background of reassurance on safety and security within a new framework of approved regulatory compliance. The recent announcement by ISO represents enormous progress in the standardisation of the global drone industry and is of particular significance in addressing the operational requirements of the more recognised and prevalent air drones, also known as UAS. The new Standards include protocols on Quality, Safety, Security and overall ‘etiquette’ for the operation of commercial air drones, which will help shape future regulation and legislation. It is the first in a series of emerging standards for air drones, with others due to address General Specifications, Product Manufacture and Maintenance, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and Testing Procedures. The Product Manufacture standards for UAS, which are due to be published next year, will combine with the operational standards already published to establish a full-airworthiness suite of standards for UAS. 

Commenting on the announcement, Robert Garbett, Convenor of the ISO Working Group responsible for global air drone operational Standards, Chairman of the BSI Committee for UK Drone Standards and Founder of Drone Major Group, the world’s first global drone consultancy, said: “I am delighted that the operating Standards for air drones have now been approved and published. This success follows four years of collaboration involving ISO, BSI and other national standards bodies from all over the world, reinforced through expert input from a wide range of industry and public sector stakeholders. The Standards will deliver a new confidence among investors in the safety, security and compliance of commercial drone operations, which together with the Product Manufacture and Maintenance Standards, is expected in turn to facilitate a massive expansion in the availability and use of drone technology in the years to come.”

“Drones are a transformative global phenomenon, offering an unprecedented economic opportunity for those businesses and countries with the foresight to embrace this technology. My own conversations with Government, businesses and other stakeholders have shown that the new Standards will be enthusiastically welcomed and will empower organisations to discover how they can use drone technology to enhance their competitive position, adding value and creating growth and jobs.”

Air safety  

A key attribute of the ISO Standards announced today is their focus on air safety, which is at the forefront of public attention in connection with airports and other sensitive locations. The new Standards promotes an ‘etiquette’ for drone use that reinforces compliance towards no-fly zones, local regulation, flight log protocols, maintenance, training and flight planning documentation. Social responsibility is also at the heart of the Standards, which strengthens the responsible use of a technology that aims to improve and not disrupt everyday life.  The effectiveness of the Standards in improving air safety will be further strengthened by the continuing rapid development of geo-fencing and counter-drone technology, providing frontline protection against ‘rogue’ drone operators.

Privacy and data protection 

The Standards also seek to address public concerns surrounding privacy and data protection, demanding that operators must have appropriate systems to handle data alongside communications and control planning when flying. The hardware and software of all related operating equipment must also be kept up to date. Significantly, the fail-safe of human intervention is required for all drone flights, including autonomous operations, ensuring that drone operators are held accountable.  

The exciting future for drones

Air drones are already beginning to provide solutions to some of the most pressing economic, transport, security, environmental and productivity challenges faced by governments and industry throughout the world, reducing road traffic, easing congestion, saving lives through a reduction in accidents and reducing pollution in our cities. As well as speeding up the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, drones are expected to reduce the need for some expensive new major transport infrastructure altogether. 

New exciting applications for air drones are being developed daily. Revolutionary approaches are emerging for freight and passenger transportation, with drones providing a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional methods, relieving the burden on our already stretched urban road networks. Further applications in the agricultural, maritime, construction and energy sectors among others, are already transforming businesses, with virtually all industries and business sectors set to benefit from the Standard-led adoption of rapidly evolving drone technology.  

Impact on the economy 

A number of recent reports have attempted to forecast the economic impact of air drones globally. For instance, in its report Drones Reporting for Work, Goldman Sachs has estimated that the size of the global drone industry will reach $100 billion by 2020. Most recently, analysts at Barclays estimate that the global commercial drone market will grow tenfold from $4bn in 2018 to $40bn in five years. They believe the use of drones will result in cost savings of some $100bn. These predictions relate solely to air drones, demonstrating that the economic benefits offered by drone technology are vast, with growth set to accelerate across surface, underwater, air & space, as well as emerging hybrid drone applications.