“We are on the eve of a new system jump. Instead of ironing the sails that give way to engines - the previous system jump - in a few years we will exchange the diesel engines. A green revolution in shipping”, according to Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen at the signing of the Green Deal Maritime, Inland Shipping and Ports in June 2019. In this agreement it has been agreed that the shipping sector will reduce emissions of harmful substances and CO2 in the coming years.
The transit time of a journey through the polar region is approximately 14 days. That sounds easy. However, weeks of preparation precede this. Preparations that are essential for a safe and successful passage in a special environment. We talk to nautical superintendent Frank van den Anker about the preparations for the five trips from Wagenborg along the North Pole in the 2019 season.
Climate change makes the waters above Canada and Russia navigable and the exploitation of minerals becomes profitable. The Arctic is a top economic priority for the arctic countries. As the trade is growing around these areas, also shipping activity is increasing. The North Pole region is becoming a playground for Wagenborg, see chartering directors Hans Kroon and Marco Renzelli who are involved in deep sea shipping at Wagenborg.
The Ballast Water Management Convention came into force in 2017 and applies to all seagoing vessels that carry ballast water. It requires these vessels to be equipped with a ballast water treatment system. The Convention has had far-reaching consequences for Wagenborg, with its fleet of around 180 vessels, as it has for many other shipping companies. We talked to Mike Settels about the process of installing a ballast water treatment system on board the Reggeborg.
If you thought the paper industry was going to disappear, think again. Although the worldwide demand for graphic paper declined in 2015 for the first time ever, the paper and forest-products industry as a whole is growing. Especially, packaging is growing all over the world. We talked with Sture Öberg, logistics director for Smurfit Kappa, about the common future of ‘his’ kraftliner trade from Piteå to the continent with Wagenborg.
Lower power output, greater efficiency and smarter shipping: for now, that’s the approach Wagenborg is taking towards the energy transition. “And in the meantime, we’ll be thinking very hard and testing fuel alternatives.” Fleet Manager Theo Klimp talks to us about accepting responsibility in these unusual times.
