The state-of-the-art new building is customised and designed around a ‘ship’ configuration, and features an extensive suite of ship’s bridge and engine room simulators from Kongsberg Maritime. The simulator delivery contract was won in a competitive tender process this June, with the system delivered in September. ENSM’s new simulators will enable instructors to implement advanced training scenarios for their students in a realistic ‘ship-in-a-school’ environment with enhanced user benefits and improved capabilities. ENSM is the reference in France for civil maritime training, providing training according to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and French flag requirements.

The integrated training solution includes a full mission K-Sim Engine simulator system built over two floors, in addition to four full mission ship’s bridge simulators based on Kongsberg Maritime’s K-Sim Navigation technology. The ship’s bridge systems include a large DNV Class A bridge, integrated with KONGSBERG’s K-Pos Dynamic Positioning system and a ship’s bridge specially
designed for tugging and inland waterway scenarios. By integrating the ship’s bridge and engine room simulators, interdepartmental team training can be conducted in order to enhance interaction and vital communication skills between the different departments on board.

The K-Sim Navigation ship’s bridge simulator is a complete training system developed to meet the current and future training requirements of the maritime industry. It provides the most realistic and advanced ship’s bridge simulator available exceeding the latest STCW and DNV requirements for the industry.

K-Sim Engine supports basic and advanced operational training, covering everything from getting underway and operation of auxiliary boiler and cargo turbines to teaching how to deal with abnormal situations and critical incidents. The flexible and modular design of the system provides the opportunity to add and upgrade additional capabilities in the future.

“This is a significant investment in simulation technology and will ensure our students are trained to the highest standards. Our requirement was for a total integrated solution which Kongsberg Maritime is able to supply with its advanced technology platform that will provide realistic and relevant training in various simulated conditions and environments,” comments Jean-Pierre
Clostermann, International development, ENSM.

“This is an important endorsement of Kongsberg Maritime’s technology in France and builds on our existing relationship with ENSM while strengthening our presence in the country,” added Kongsberg Maritime Simulation’s Area Sales Manager, Sølvi Opthun. “Our simulator systems are recognised worldwide for their outstanding quality, versatility, high functionality and user friendliness and we’re pleased they will be used to support ENSM’s world-class training for competenc yin safe operations.”

This system facilitates the intelligent and efficient management and reduction of energy consumption in lighting.

The operation was launched in new facilities adapted to work with LED technology and a dynamic management system, with the testing stage lasting for 1000 hours. Initial results show that the forecasted savings of the TDI System would be around 80% of current energy use and costs. These savings would be achieved with a return-on-investment period of under two years
(internal rate of return above 35% and net present value of triple the initial investment).

The response times of the TDI system help ensure the safety conditions required in terminals and the lighting levels necessary for proper port operations. In addition, users of these facilities have reported improved levels of visual quality, with reduced glare and light pollution.

The SEA TERMINALS project team is collecting detailed information in order to produce the profitability report for this system. The results will be presented on 26th November, during the “SEA TERMINALS Valencia Demo Day” that will be held at the facilities of the Port Authority of Valencia and at the Noatum Container Terminal Valencia. During this event, attendees will witness a live
demonstration of this dynamic lighting system. Additionally, demonstrations will be carried out of the other pilots tested at this terminal as part of the SEA TERMINALS project: the real-time Operational Management System (SEAMS Platform), as well as three machine prototypes — a 100% electric terminal tractor, developed by Terberg; a Reach Stacker and a forklift for empty
containers, both equipped with fuel saving and CO2 emission reduction systems, developed by Hyster; and lastly, a new hybrid generator for RTG cranes based on super-capacitator
storage technology. At the event, attendees will be able to see these eco-efficient systems for themselves in a real-world environment.

The aim of this project, spearheaded by the Valenciaport Fundation and financed by the European Commission’s Ten-T Programme, is to fast-track the transition of the port industry towards more efficient operational models, incorporating the energy variable as a key improvement factor in Port Container Terminals (PCTs).

The guiding principles behind the SEA TERMINALS project come from the lessons learned in the GREENCRANES project, the results of which showed that the efficient management of energy
consumption and the use of alternative fuels is viable and generates major benefits at all levels of the PCTs.

The SEA TERMINALS project partners are the Valenciaport Foundation (coordinator), the Port Authority of Valencia; Noatum; Amplía Soluciones, S.L.; Ingeniería de Aplicaciones
Energéticas SLU, (EDAE); Technological Institute of Energy – ITE; NACCO Materials Handling BV; Terberg Benschop B.V.; Italian Ministry of Transport – MIT and Baltic Ports Organization. Also participating in the project as MIT collaborating partners are: the Port Authority of Livorno, Global Service, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (PERCRO) and OLT Offshore LNG Toscana S.p.A..

The APM Terminals Global Terminal Network will enter China’s fast-growing grain import market as part of a joint venture with Qingdao Port International, continuing APM Terminals’ ongoing expansion into port and terminal operations outside containerised cargo handling.

The newly developed Qingdao Port Dongjiakou Multi-Purpose Terminal, in which APM Terminals will hold a 20% share, is located on China’s Bohai Rim in the Shandong province, on the Yellow Sea. The Port of Qingdao is one of the world’s busiest ports, ranking seventh globally handling a total of 468 million metric tons in 2014. Qingdao’s new Dongjiakou Port area is set to become a national hub of Chinese bulk and energy cargos, with a projected volume of more than 300 million metric tons handled annually in this new complex.

“China, as the world’s largest population, and second–largest economy, is a crucial center of global trade and logistics, and we are very pleased to advance our multi-port strategy of growth beyond containers in this exciting and fast-growing market,” said APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer.

The Qingdao port handled around 7 million metric tons ofgrain cargo in 2014, with continued strong growth again in 2015. The Qingdao  Port Dongjiakou Multi-Purpose Terminal, operated by Qingdao Port International and APM Terminals, will cater to the rising demand of grain and other general cargo and allow for improved port logistics service into the hinterland markets.

“We are fully prepared to grow with the grain market in China, and around the world,” noted Mr. Fejfer. Approximately one third of all nations are now importing at least a quarter of their grain consumption, according to a Thomson Reuters article released March 13, 2015 “Global dependence on food imports leaves countries vulnerable.”

APM Terminals’ Chinese presence includes interests in nine operating terminals in six ports, with a seventh facility currently in development at the port of Ningbo. APM Terminals is currently a shareholder with Qingdao Port International in five container terminals in the Qianwan section of Qingdao Port. APM Terminals operates grain handling facilities in Callao, Peru, and Poti, Georgia. In 2013, China imported around 63.4 million metric tons of soybeans, along with 14 million metric tons of corn, wheat and rice. Soybean imports, primarily from the USA and Brazil represent more than 80% of Chinese annual domestic demand.

Francois Delenclos, APM Terminals’ Vice President, Business Development negotiated the deal and stated “Worldwide seaborne grain shipments have increased to over 400 million tons annually according to the World Grain Council, requiring a specialized infrastructure and expertise to keep up with this demand, while helping to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. This is a high-growth market where APM Terminals can invest and deploy its operational expertise in key locations.”

More than eighty ships of 18,000+TEU have already been handled at the port in 2015, confirming Felixstowe’s position as the port-of-choice for mega-ships in the UK.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Coffey said: “I am delighted to formally open this latest extension of the Port of Felixstowe. An ever increasing proportion of UK trade is moving on these huge container ships and UK ports need to provide the facilities they require. Felixstowe was the first port in the UK to handle these vessels and this latest development will help ensure UK exports reach overseas markets in the most efficient way possible.”

Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Felixstowe and Managing Director of HPH Europe division, added: “The Berth 9 Extension represents the latest phase of development at the Port of Felixstowe. Our programme of continued investment has ensured that the UK remains a destination for direct calls by the latest generation of mega-ships.

“We are committed to ensuring we offer the best facilities and the highest possible levels of service and productivity to all our customers. The new facilities being opened today will help us deliver on this commitment and ensure that the Port of Felixstowe remains the Port of Britain.”

Berths 8&9 at the port were the first in the UK to handle the latest generation of giant container ships. The quay length of the port’s newest terminal is now 920 metres, and the total quay length in the port nearly 4,000 metres.

The port has acquired three new ship-to-shore gantry cranes to work on the extended terminal. The cranes are capable of working vessels with containers stacked 10-high, and 24-wide, on deck. There are now 10 cranes on Berths 8&9 and 36 in the port as a whole.

The Port of Felixstowe is the largest container port in the UK, handling 44% of all UK container traffic. Its importance is recognised in the Government’s National Infrastructure plan which includes improvements to its road and rail connections as leading priorities for investment.