Improving a Container Liner vessels port turn around time

#containershipping #containerterminal #shippingline #logistics

Terminal flowchart image courtesy of https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS0360835214001788&psig=AOvVaw1fO7zDcWgM-0PaFnN-yerH&ust=1708018241727000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=2ahUKEwjSlej1rauEAxVzT2wGHdyKB6IQr4kDegUIARCAAQ

The shipping industry is facing a major transformation as it is working towards full decarbonization by 2050.

Short-term actions can facilitate improve the operational efficiency of existing vessels.

Saving fuel, money, and time through changes in ship speed, performance and setting the correct voyage priority can play a critical role in reducing emissions today, while also preparing for a more manageable long-term transition which could involve more expensive zero-emission fuels and eventually a price on carbon.

Maximizing vessel and fleet performance through operational efficiency can reduce annual fuel costs by $50 billion at today’s prices, according to research. That means up to 20% of fuel costs will be saved up and even more if combined with energy-efficient technologies. The research also suggests that optimizing operational efficiency has the potential to reduce annual emissions by more than 200m tons of CO2. Unlocking this potential is not simple, yet capitalizing fully on operational efficiency will be a prerequisite to achieving 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets.

Sometimes overlooked in the Liner Trade is a port turnaround time. There is general recognition that port turnaround times of container ships vary considerably according to the region.

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Time is one of the most important factors shaping container shipping apart from the convenience that it offers to the trade.

Be it via the Cape of Good Hope or the Suez Canal, the impetus in providing a weekly service helps determine the number of vessels deployed and the selection of ports rotation. For the #EXIM community, the entire logistics network is influenced only by the schedule reliability, berth windows and to a great extent this also influence their choice of gateway port depending on gate congestion, road accessibility and distances.

One common observation from the terminals when the Terminal departure reports are deliberated upon is on-board container stowage plans do not consider operational conditions in the terminals.

As a matter of fact, the Stowage plans must consider the following issues.

1)?????they must ensure that the loaded container ship is seaworthy and remains so during the entire duration of the sea passage. ?This requires the vessel to have transversal stability when sailing, and its draft and trim must be within limits and the weight distribution must satisfy the stress limits of the structure and that the stresses remain within acceptable limits at all times.

2)?????The positioning of containers by bay, row and tier is critical to ensuring seaworthiness. The stowage of containers must also consider the weight of individual containers, ensure the safe positioning of 20- and 40-foot containers, and position reefer containers near power plugs.

3)?????The stowage plans must also consider the port rotation, heavy over light containers and minimum slot loss. The stow plan shall be so optimized that with almost nil repositioning, the containers are loaded and discharged. These considerations actually make stowage planning very challenging and interesting.

4)?????The range of considerations that have to be taken into whilst planning makes stowage planning very challenging, engaging and interesting.

Improving a Vessels turn around time:

A #Liner could actually improve the port turn around time by

1) exercising strict gate carting discipline

2) timely container nomination discharge port wise

3) even crane split

4) berthing windows to commence during start of terminal shift so as to not lose time and momentum mid-way with a shift change

5) In window arrival