Volumes recovering at Chinese ports

FourKites, a leading real-time supply chain visibility platform, has seen a recovery in import and export ocean shipment volume at Chinese ports over the past weeks as COVID-19 lockdowns have eased.

Volume at the Port of Shanghai has increased since mid-May, with the 14-day average ocean shipment volume now up 2% compared to 12 March (the day before lockdowns went into effect) for shipments tracked by FourKites. This is up from mid-May, where shipment volume was down as much as 25% over the same period. For other Chinese ports, volume tracked by FourKites has remained strong, with volume at the Port of Shenzhen up 37% and volume at the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan up 32% compared to 12 March.

FourKites has continued to see strong recovery in volume traveling from China to the United States. The 14-day average shipment volume for loads traveling from China to the United States is now up 8% compared to levels seen on 12 March. Volume along this lane had previously reached a low of 43% lower in mid to late April. Delays have decreased correspondingly, with the 14-day average percentage of shipments delayed along this lane at 27% compared to the high of 39% seen in mid to late April.

Average transit times for loads arriving in the United States from Shanghai remain elevated but show some signs of recovery. The 28-day average transit time for shipments traveling from Shanghai to the United States is now at 69.2 days, up 24% from 12 March. This is down from the peak of 75 days seen in mid-May.

Dwell times for export shipments for Chinese ports has shown some signs of recovery over the past weeks. The 14-day average ocean dwell time for export shipments tracked by FourKites is now at 7.5 days, an increase of 11% compared to 12 March. This is down 17% from the high seen earlier in June. Import dwell time at Chinese ports remains above levels seen before the lockdown, with the 14-day average ocean dwell time now at 4.5 days. This is a 12% increase compared to 12 March.

FourKites has also continued to see a recovery in over-the-road and rail/intermodal shipment volume in the city of Shanghai. The 14-day average shipment volume for loads being delivered to Shanghai is now up 3% compared to 12 March. Volume being picked up from Shanghai continues to climb, but is still down 74% compared to 12 March.

 

Inmarsat launches push-to-talk communications

Global Beam Telecom, Cobham Satcom and Inmarsat have launched a new Push-To-Talk (PTT) offering, BGAN PRISM PTT+, in partnership with Hytera. This complete satellite-enhanced connectivity solution, now available through Hytera mobile radios, will help businesses overcome coverage redundancy and operational downtime associated with traditional radio systems.

This new unified network solution combines leading expertise in satellite connectivity, radio systems (LMR/DMR) and cellular devices (3G/LTE) to create a unique PTT offering that will accelerate advanced connectivity adoption among businesses in the Middle East.

Supported by Inmarsat’s BGAN service – powered by the company’s unparalleled, global ELERA (L-band) satellite network – the solution provides industry-leading reliability of 99.9%+ uptime and enables seamless radio over internet protocol (IP) capabilities. It will ensure businesses have access to real-time communications and telemetry capabilities, increasing their visibility of operations and the safety of remote workers and assets.

Mike Carter, President of Inmarsat Enterprise, said: “In this new partnership, Inmarsat is proud to build on our longstanding relationships with Global Beam Telecom and Cobham Satcom, by welcoming Hytera into the fold. This collaboration will be a game-changer for remote workers in the Middle East. It will combine top-of-the-range hardware and software with the best connectivity to provide a new, unmatched PTT service for customers.

“The expertise and technological strength in ELERA, Inmarsat’s industry-leading narrowband network, makes us the perfect connectivity partner to power this new PTT solution. Combined with the immense capabilities of our collaborators, this partnership will keep remote workers safe and connected wherever they are, even in the most remote locations.”

The sophisticated solution will transform customer experience across three key areas: coverage, interoperability, and capability. Incorporating satellite coverage provides exceptional network resilience, enabling seamless switching between radio and satellite while sustaining constant coverage anywhere in the world. Enhanced interoperability will allow for a range of communication methods to mix and connect effortlessly and encourage cross entity transmission, while digitalisation will provide enhanced end-user capabilities such as conversation recall, replay, and expanded data-analysis possibilities.

The unique BGAN PRISM PTT+, one of Global Beam Telecom’s integrated connectivity solutions, features Inmarsat’s highly-reliable ELERA capabilities and brings together hardware components from Cobham’s EXPLORER 323 Terminal and EXPLORER Mobile Gateway, Hytera’s lightweight but robust digital two-way radio (PD505) and professional Digital Mobile Radio (MD785i). The partnership provides the ultimate offering, supplying real-time GPS, telemetry, and PTT capabilities to create a consistent solution for businesses.

Shabeer Mohammad, Managing Director at Global Beam Telecom said “We are looking forward to sharing BGAN PRISM PTT+ with our customers. As the system integrator, configuring the expertise of the four companies – all of which boast years of experience in their respective fields – provided us the perfect opportunity to bring the ultimate flexible connectivity solution to enterprise customers.”

Stanley Song, Deputy General Manager of Hytera Overseas Sales Department and Sales Director of Hytera MENA, said: “Following the successful completion of our two-phase testing process, we have established a solution that is exceptionally well-suited to the Middle East. With robust hardware – capable of withstanding temperatures up to 60°C – combined with the durability of Inmarsat’s global BGAN offering, we are able to provide customers with the most impressive solution currently on the market, ensuring the ultimate safety and operational efficiency of their fleets.”

Henrik Nørrelykke, Vice President and Head of Critical Communications at Cobham Satcom, said: “We are excited to help bring this powerful and very cost-effective platform to customers across the Middle East. By building on existing terrestrial infrastructure, it enables enterprise customers to enhance their operations by adding the extensive capabilities of satellite connectivity without the need for significant CAPEX investment. This allows them to prioritise the day-to-day expenses of quality operations and implement a more scalable business model in the long-term.”

Inmarsat’s ELERA network is the world’s most reliable satellite network for IoT and secure narrowband connectivity. ELERA offers more global spectrum than any L-band provider, with its recently launched I-6 F1 satellite (and I-6 F2 launching in Q1 2023) making the best use of the available spectrum and providing 50% more capacity per beam.

 

 

The digital ecosystem in European ports

Technological changes are affecting the port and logistics industries. New IT systems have been introduced at the Rotterdam and Antwerp seaports, where containers are released based on digital identity verification.

Containers have traditionally been released by shipowners to recipients using paperwork and signatures. Now the process can be done electronically. The Secure Container Release (SCR) system is now used in the Rotterdam seaport in the Netherlands. Using digital blockchain tokens, the release of containers takes place without the use of a PIN code while maintaining security and identity control through an ID wallet.

From 1st July 2021, a digital, integrated solution for releasing containers was also implemented in Antwerp, Belgium. The Certified Pick-up (CPu) platform has abandoned PIN codes in favour of verifying identity with Alfapass and finger scans. The process ensures transparent importation operations for containers as they are unloaded from seagoing vessels and sent on by road, rail, or inland waterway to the final recipient.

“In June, AsstrA’s European Container Division team underwent training with the port of Antwerp. If a logistics company doesn’t have its own operating system dedicated to maritime transport, then it can use the port’s Internet platform. In the future, we plan to launch our own sea transport software system that can be integrated with the port’s,” explains Marta Mikuszewska-Wasiak (pictured), Head of Sea Freight for Western Europe at AsstrA’s Warsaw office.

Europe’s top two seaports are in Rotterdam and Antwerp. In the first quarter of 2021, Rotterdam transshipments amounted to 114.8 million tons of cargo, a 3% increase over the previous year. At the same time, Antwerp recorded a 2.3% increase in TEU container handling and 0.6% more cargo tonnage.

The new technological solutions are intended to increase efficiency and safety for the parties involved in the container importation process. For shipping companies registered in either port’s platform, shipment release is performed electronically for the container carrier. Subcontractors receive information about fee payments, port exemptions, customs issues, and updates about loads’ readiness to be collected.

“More efficient container releases at the port mean deliveries are faster and easier. Thanks to this, we are able to inform customers faster about customs issues, e.g. whether a container has been selected for inspection or scanning. The platform uses a green/red light to show how the overall logistics chain is proceeding,” summarises Marta Mikuszewska-Wasiak.

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