The Carbon Trust Standard is awarded every two years and the Trust’s thorough external verification shows a 4.4% reduction in carbon emissions each year from 1st April 2010 to 31st March 2012.

This figure contributes to the remarkable 25% reduction made since the carbon management program commenced in 2006.

No stone was left unturned during the rigorous assessment which analysed in detail the continuing campaign to measure, manage and reduce the port’s carbon footprint. Around 218 tonnes of CO2 were saved just by refitting the lighting at the Western Docks – home of Dover’s Cruise Terminal.

Organisations that are awarded the Carbon Trust Standard hold it for a two year period and to maintain the certification they must reapply and demonstrate that they have continued to make year-on-year reductions in their carbon emissions.

Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said;

“We are committed to taking action on climate change and the retention of this award is testament to the continued determination of our staff and tenants in changing energy use habits over the long-term. The Port of Dover remains at the forefront of best environmental practice within the industry and will continue to focus on further carbon reductions for this year, next year and beyond.”

Darran Messem, Managing Director of Certification at The Carbon Trust commented;

“The Port of Dover’s performance in carbon reduction in recent years is commendable. Gaining independent certification to demonstrate the Port is continuing to take action on carbon emissions sets a fine example for the industry. Our assessor found that the Port’s governance was outstanding.” 

The World Bank Group, through its representative to Jamaica, Giorgio Valentini, has endorsed the Government of Jamaica’s plans for the logistics hub initiative, describing it as ‘transformational’ when implemented which will significantly enhance Jamaica’s potential for growth.

A 16 person delegation from the World Bank Group visited Jamaica last month for consultations on Jamaica’s Country Partnership Strategy which will feature the Logistics Hub Initiative. The Country Partnership Strategy will govern the relationship between the island and the World Bank between 2014 and 2017. The World Bank Group (WBG) support includes issues such as Public Private Partnerships, infrastructure needs and infrastructure investment funds, facilitation mechanisms, energy needs, capacity building and providing a skilled workforce. The WBG is also concerned with providing a safety net for the most vulnerable in society.

High level discussions have already started with a number of overseas investors to develop vast areas of prime real estate to handle increased volumes of air and sea cargo. Projects under discussion include growth of container throughput at the Port of Kingston ahead of the expansion of the Panama Canal, as well as the development of commodity ports to handle petroleum products, coal, minerals and grain; the development of an air cargo strong hold through the expansion of existing airports and construction of an air cargo airport as well as the construction of large scale ship repair dry docks and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities. Special economic zones are also being conceptualised by a wide range of local and foreign investors.

Once completed the initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Jamaica Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, will transform Jamaica into the fourth node or pillar in the global supply and logistics chain alongside Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam. A critical element in the equation to make the Logistics Hub successful is the involvement of suitable, long-term investors. The Government of Jamaica is already in discussion with some prospective partners as well as looking for new ones.

The World Bank sees the initiative operating within the context of the Caribbean Growth Forum, a joint venture between the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank. The World Bank Group has already started to provide technical assistance in developing precursors of the master plan for the logistics hub and in support of the Port Community System.

To assess the ability of internal logistics to unlock the country, the World Bank Group has already started ground work on creating a GIS database, a trucking survey, a port and aviation survey, a regional trade survey, and an assessment of air, marine and ICT connectivity. This initial work should be completed by June 30, 2013, and will feed into the overall master plan. The master plan will serve to define how Jamaica should be positioned as a global hub, assess the internal logistics and the infrastructure and energy needs of the special economic zones being created  and demonstrate how the logistics potential of Jamaica can motivate international interventions plus attract private sector investment.

The World Bank notes that thousands of jobs will have to be created to support the logistics hub. Efforts have already started to look at the training of human capital to fuel the needs of the hub and also strategically for export under special agreement with large markets like the US and Canada. This ‘export’ of Jamaican labour, can enhance the island’s comparative advantages of having the perfect geographical location, and a strong English speaking work force. Thousands of jobs are expected to be created in areas such as, mechatronics integration of marine engineering, (mechanical, electrical and informatics), various ship board professions such as electromechanical engineering, port operations management, heavy duty equipment operations, logistics and supply chain management.

Jamaica’s proposal to become the fourth node in the global logistics chain is a critical component  of the Government’s growth strategy. The recent IMF staff-level agreement on the key elements of an economic program to be supported by a 48-month arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), in the amount of US$750 million calls for reforms to improve growth-generating efficiency through enhancements to the business environment, increased competitiveness, and strengthened institutional capacity. Despite considerable inertia within multilateral  circles due to Jamaica’s development record, the Global Logistics Hub Initiative has rekindled believe in the growth prospects of the country.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton recently led a mission to Washington (February 18-22) to continue talks with the World Bank Group on additional areas of collaboration and support for the Logistics Hub.

The Jamaican Mission held a number of meetings with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation(IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC).   Meetings were also held with US Chamber of Commerce and the US Trade and Development Agency. The US Chamber offered to promote the Logistics Hub among its membership while the USTDA is assessing specific components of the Logistics Hub for grant assistance especially where these activities support US trade and development. Separate meetings were held with  the law firms Curtis, Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle and also Sandler, Travis, Rosenberg.

A technical mission from the World Bank Group will again be in Jamaica from March 4-March 18 to commence work on the internal/external logistics assessment of the initiative.

The South Carolina Inland Port (SCIP) will extend the reach of the South Carolina Ports Authority’s (SCPA) marine facilities 212 miles to the interior. Opening this September, the facility will improve the efficiency of international freight movements between the Port of Charleston and companies across the Southeast region while spurring additional economic investment in the area.

“This is a momentous day for the South Carolina Ports Authority and the entire state,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCPA. “In just six months from now, this site will be a fully operating container yard, an extension of the port within the thriving cargo base of the Upstate and the I-85 corridor.”

The Greer container terminal will be linked to the Port of Charleston by the Norfolk Southern main rail line that provides overnight service between Charleston and the Upstate. The site is positioned along the I-85 corridor – the fastest-growing part of the region – between the key markets of Charlotte and Atlanta, and it will provide market access to more than 94 million consumers within a one-day drive. Already, the Upstate region is home to the largest concentration of port users in South Carolina.

“Norfolk Southern is very excited to work with the South Carolina Ports Authority on the South Carolina Inland Port,” said Mike McClellan, vice president of intermodal and automotive marketing for Norfolk Southern. “This project leverages the best capabilities of NS and the SCPA and will provide new, cost-effective, rail-based intermodal solutions that should benefit all of the shippers in the Upstate South Carolina region.” 

The project uniquely involves the convergence of four modes of transportation at one site, with the port, rail, truck and the nearby GSP International Airport all handling international commerce for the region’s shippers. By utilizing rail, importers and exporters can maximize tonnage moved per gallon of fuel, providing both environmental benefits and cost savings. Shippers in the region also will benefit from proximate access to empty containers for loading export goods and the availability of intermodal chassis on site.

“We have been impressed at the level of interest in this project from both current and

prospective customers of the port,” Newsome said. “As the Southeast continues to lead the nation in exporting, and as e-commerce distribution grows, the inland port will be positioned to speed the flow of commerce and serve as a catalyst for investment in the surrounding area.”

Officials at the groundbreaking lauded the project and highlighted the importance of inland infrastructure as a complement to the Port of Charleston’s waterside capabilities, including the deepest harbor in the Southeast region.

“Our ports have driven economic investment across this great state, and the inland port will play a crucial role in helping companies here move their goods more efficiently than ever before,” said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. “It is critical that we invest in the infrastructure that supports our ports’ success in order to continue bringing good jobs to South Carolina.”

The inland port is one aspect of the SCPA’s 10-year, $1.3-billion capital plan that includes major investments in both new and existing facilities, equipment and information systems. Additionally, the state of South Carolina is investing nearly $700 in port-related infrastructure, including $300 to fund the construction of Charleston’s post-45 Harbor Deepening Project, slated for completion by 2019.

“This is a major economic announcement for South Carolina as about one in every five jobs is tied – directly or indirectly – to the Port of Charleston,” said U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. “This new Inland Port will dramatically expand the economic ties between the Upstate and Lowcountry, creating greater efficiencies for Upstate businesses getting their goods to market. I commend Jim Newsome and the State Ports Authority for their vision, as this investment will help grow our economy and create jobs.”

“Today’s groundbreaking at the South Carolina Inland Port in Greer is another strong step forward for our state’s economy,” said U.S. Senator Tim Scott. “Strengthening the connection between the Upstate and the Lowcountry will provide a vital engine as we strive to compete and succeed in the global economy. I have no doubt the hardworking folks in the Upstate will make South Carolina proud by helping build a better economic future for all of us.”

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said in a statement that the inland port is an example of how public-private partnerships can improve freight transportation nationwide.

“The South Carolina Inland Port is a perfect example of the kind of public-private partnership President Obama called for to improve our nation’s infrastructure in his State of the Union address this month,” said Secretary LaHood. “As the President said, our country’s businesses need modern ports to move our goods, and the Department of Transportation remains committed to making our ports the best in the world.”

The paved area of the SCIP will be approximately 40 acres, and the SCPA has contracted with CenterPoint Properties to develop the site. CenterPoint developed the largest master-planned inland port in North America, which is located in Joliet, Illinois.

“CenterPoint is pleased to partner with the South Carolina Ports Authority and the state to build an inland intermodal terminal for port container traffic, the first of its kind in the nation,” said Paul Fisher, president and CEO of Oak Brook, Illinois-based CenterPoint Properties. “South Carolina has been a leader in attracting business. This is another innovative step.”

The SCIP will consist of two 2,600-foot working tracks tying to Norfolk Sothern’s main line as well as 5,200 feet of storage tracks with room for future expansions. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $35 million.

The SCPA will dismantle and relocate three rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) from Charleston to the site for stacking containers in the yard, which will have 552 total slots for shipping containers. While the initial capacity of the facility is around 40,000 containers annually, the facility could handle as many as 100,000 boxes in five years.

Work is already underway to prepare the site for construction. Last month, crews mobilized equipment to the site and began clearing and grading the property. The SCIP is expected to be fully operational by September 1.

The acquisition, announced February 11, adds optical character recognition (OCR) and gate automation capabilities to further improve safety, productivity and efficiency of port operations as containerized shipping grows worldwide. APS, an 11-year-old, 50-person company with offices in San Diego and Long Beach, California, will join ABB’s Crane and Harbor automation business. No major changes to staffing and product offerings are planned. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.