“We have an ambitious goal to become a climate-neutral company by 2024. The 660,000 standard containers transported on green fuels in 2023 equal 3% of our global ocean transport volume and show that the low emission movement is taking large steps year-on-year,” said Johan Sigsgaard, Executive Vice President of Maersk.

Maersk defines ’green fuels’ as fuels with low (65-80%) to very low (80-95%) GHG emissions over their life cycle compared to fossil fuels. The fuels and the supply chain are verified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).

Maersk ECO Delivery Ocean products last year saw strong growth with 212 company’s clients opted for ECO Delivery Ocean for their seaborne cargo in 2023, with shippers from various sectors including retail, lifestyle, automotive and FMCG companies.

Maersk’s eco solution replaces fossil fuels with green fuels such as biodiesel and green methanol. According to the company, the biodiesel is solely sourced from waste streams and can lead to GHG emission reductions of above 80% on a well- to-wake basis.

“In 2023, we continued expanding our global bio-diesel supply infrastructure to key bunkering hubs in Europe and Asia. We will continue to rely on biodiesel as a base in our green fuel portfolio while building up the supply of other green fuels such as green methanol, Maersk is investing in new methanol enabled vessels of which the first eight very large ships (16,000-teu each) are entering Maersk’s fleet in 2024, with the first vessel, “Ane Maersk” already deployed,” Emma Mazhari, Head of Energy Markets in Maersk’s Energy Transition department, said.

The green fuels for low and very low emission ocean transports used by us are all certified to ensure fully traceable, responsible feedstock and sourcing.” 

Maersk noted that, up to now, the green methanol’s GHG reduction lies still below the figures of biofuels, but with the start of the scalable production of e-methanol, the emission reductions should go up to above 90% once the processes are all optimised

The minister said this in response to ongoing speculation, noting that the vessel’s Sri Lankan agent had formally communicated this detail to the relevant authorities.

Minister de Silva emphasized that out of the 56 containers listed as dangerous cargo, destined for re-export to another country, the Colombo Port was not the final stop for the vessel. |The ultimate destination for the ship is China, yet there have been mistaken reports indicating otherwise,” he said.

Concerns regarding the undisclosed contents of the container set for unloading in Colombo, the minister said that in accordance with international maritime regulations, detailed shipment declarations are typically made two days prior to reaching the port. Moreover, strict customs inspections precede any unloading activity, ensuring transparency and safety protocols are firmly in place.

Minister de Silva clarified that vessels like the ‘Dali’ carry both general and dangerous cargo, and rejecting ships solely based on the presence of dangerous cargo is not a viable solution. The adherence to established procedures and thorough customs checks guarantee the proper handling of all goods on board before any further actions are taken.

With political instability and associated costs on the ground, the sky is becoming more popular not just for people but also for cargo.

Although 2024’s estimated profitability for the entire global airline industry was more than $25 billion (R474 billion), this equated to just $5.5 (R103) per passenger. Considering the cost of aeroplane tickets these days, it’s safe to assume that cargo is very much the fulcrum that keeps the air alive.

Combined with the challenges the maritime industry is facing, sending your freight by air is an extremely competitive offer. When maritime is struggling, shippers quickly shift to air freight. Cargo has to be moved, if not by land or sea, then by air. Now we just need fatter planes.

Although air cargo is very dependent on belly space on passenger flights, there will still be a notable uptick in dedicated air freight services in 2024 as the sector’s growth is keeping pace with the rise in merchandise, especially coming out of Asia.

Although there are some truly massive cargo planes crisscrossing the sky above us today, there’s always the need to go bigger and better, and seeing as most cargo is sent in containers, Boeing even went as far as designing a weird aeroplane that could ‘suck up’ shipping containers.

The strange-looking design has landing gear that is wider than the shipping containers and a large fuselage that opens underneath the plane for the containers to slot into.

Air freight is mostly transported using the unit load device (ULD) system, which packs cargo into smaller containers and onto pallets for transport on both cargo planes and standard passenger aircraft. Boeing’s design, however, would not only allow a plane to carry more cargo but would also transport air freight in standardised containers to streamline the shipping process.

It’s a weird-looking aircraft, but as with many patents, Boeing may be only locking down an idea in case they ever decide to pursue it. A plane that can lower its entire body and lift more than a dozen shipping containers would require extensive testing and years of design. Still, it’s a clever idea.

Read more: https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/04/03/boeing-designed-a-weird-plane-that-could-suck-up-shipping-containers-video/#ixzz8WNdRaJsJ

To facilitate our operations; reduce port congestion; and best serve our customers, please note:

• We ask customers who intend to make their own arrangements for their Baltimore cargo to notify their Maersk representative so that we can update our systems and operational plans.
• We also ask that customers with import cargo originally destined for Newark and/or Norfolk that is currently sitting in terminal to arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.
• Access links to all North American terminals where you can find the latest updates and hours per terminal on Maersk.com here.

Other notes

• The Baltimore Captain of the Port has announced two temporary alternate channels for “commercially essential vessels” in the Port of Baltimore. Please note these alternate channels are not deep enough to accommodate the oceangoing container vessels that Maersk and other carriers use to call upon Baltimore and other USEC ports.
• All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore remain suspended temporarily.
• We currently cannot accept any loaded containers in Baltimore, but the terminal can accept empty returns and are releasing empties for export shipments.

We understand your need for clarity on your cargo, as well as future changes to our routes regarding Baltimore. We are working diligently to identify solutions and will inform you as soon as possible of changes to current and future cargo to Baltimore.

If you have any questions or need further information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

April 1, 2024 – Update 4

While we remain unable to accept new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore, we continue to serve greater Baltimore via alternative ports such as Newark, Norfolk and Philadelphia via road and rail subject to available capacity. We continue to work with customers to determine the best solution for their Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas.

As many customers look to utilize the entire Eastern seaboard port infrastructure, we are also prepared to offer services through a number of gateways from Eastern Canada down to the South Atlantic and Gulf. Ports and rail operators have been very supportive and collaborative to develop solutions to support cargo temporarily diverted to alternative ports.

Steps to take

• We ask customers who intend to make their own arrangements for their Baltimore cargo to notify their Maersk representative so that we can update our systems and operational plans.
• We also ask that customers with import cargo originally destined for Newark and/or Norfolk that is currently sitting in terminal to arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.
• Access links to all North American terminals where you can find the latest updates and hours per terminal on Maersk.com here.

Other notes

• The Baltimore Captain of the Port announced on April 1 that there are preparations underway to establish a temporary alternate channel for “commercially essential vessels” in the Port of Baltimore. Please note the announced “controlling depth of 11 feet” of the alternate channel would not be deep enough to accommodate the oceangoing container vessels that Maersk and other carriers use to call upon Baltimore and other USEC ports.
• All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore remain suspended temporarily.
• We currently cannot accept any loaded containers in Baltimore, but the terminal can accept empty returns and are releasing empties for export shipments.

We understand your need for clarity on your cargo, as well as future changes to our routes regarding Baltimore. We are working diligently to identify solutions and will inform you as soon as possible of changes to current and future cargo to Baltimore.

If you have any questions or need further information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

March 28, 2024 – Update 3

Due to the damage and resulting debris from the tragic incident in Baltimore, it is currently not possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Therefore, at this time:

• No new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore will be accepted. However, we will continue to offer options through alternate USEC ports.
• However, we will continue to provide Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas via alternate USEC ports.
• All acceptance of new Maersk SPOT ocean bookings to and from Baltimore are suspended temporarily.
• We currently cannot accept any loaded containers in Baltimore, but the terminal can accept empty returns and are releasing empties for export shipments.

For customers with import cargo originally destined for Newark and/or Norfolk that is currently sitting in terminal, please arrange to pick up your containers as soon as possible to assist with increased flows of containers.

For customers with existing Norfolk/Newark business, rail and truck operations are currently running as normal.

We understand your need for clarity on your cargo, as well as future changes to our routes regarding Baltimore. We are working diligently to identify solutions and will inform you as soon as possible of changes to current and future cargo to Baltimore.

If you have any questions or need further information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

March 27, 2024 – Update 2

As previously communicated, in the early hours of 26 March 2024, a vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore, MD, resulting in damage to the structure. Our thoughts are with all parties impacted by the situation, and we remain in close contact with our partners and local agencies.

Due to the damage and resulting debris from the tragic incident, it is currently not possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Therefore, at this time, no new bookings into or out of the Port of Baltimore will be accepted. However, we will continue to offer options through alternate USEC ports. We will also continue to provide Store Door service to and from Baltimore and surrounding areas.

We understand your need for clarity on your cargo, as well as future changes to our routes regarding Baltimore. We are working diligently to identify solutions and will inform you as soon as possible of changes to current and future cargo to Baltimore.

If you have any questions or need further information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

March 26, 2024 – Update 1

In the early hours of 26 March 2024, a vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge, resulting in damage to the structure. Information on the situation remains pending and we remain in close contact with officials in the area.

We can confirm that the container vessel “DALI”,  is owned by Grace Ocean, and operated by Synergy Group. It is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel.

Due to the damage to the bridge and resulting debris, it will not be possible to reach the Helen Delich Bentley port of Baltimore for the time being. In line with this, we are omitting Baltimore on all our services for the foreseeable future, until it is deemed safe for passage through this area.

For cargo already on water, we will omit the port, and will discharge cargo set for Baltimore, in nearby ports. From these ports, it will be possible to utilise landside transportation to reach final destination instead. Your local Maersk representative can assist in booking this.

Please note that for cargo set to discharge in Baltimore, delays may occur, as they will need to discharge in other ports. We are keeping a close eye on the safety situation in the area and continuing to assess the viability of transportation through the area. We will inform you of any changes that may impact your cargo.

We are deeply concerned by this incident and are closely monitoring the situation. We understand the potential impact this may have on your logistics operation, and will communicate to our customers once we have more details from authorities. Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

For more information on your cargo, please reach out to your local Maersk representative.

Our teams are on hand to support with your planning, should you need any assistance.

• 20ft High cube side opening shipping containers

9ft 6 high 20ft shipping containers with full opening side access. Fantastic for quick and easy secure pallet storage, and extra high allowing many customers to stack pallets inside. (please click the link above to see the product page with full specs and example pictures)

• 20ft Duel side opening shipping containers

With 2 sets of full side access and 1 set of end opening doors, there’s only 1 small end of this container that doesn’t open. These offer superb quick and easy access for pallets, large oversized items or for emergency response equipment storage that may be needed at short notice day or night. Great also for conversion projects from a garden office or summerhouse through to festival food and drinks stands, or even a James Bond style command and control centre.

• Chemical Stores

If you need to store hazardous chemicals on your site, these bunded and vented high security chemical stores offer a great way to safely store large volumes of chemicals and with fork pockets and a low tare weight these can be moved around sites by many customers when empty.

It may look the same but we have been busy adding some seriously improved usability over the Christmas period. In our new sales area you can now easily browse and filter for all types and sizes of shipping container making it easier than ever to get a clear idea of the ranges and options available.

With filter options for price, size, condition and location it’s never been easier to see what options are available in your area, and with the largest range of new build designs of any seller we know of and our unbeatable prices there’s simply no better place to shop for your shipping containers.

For example see our range of new 20ft shipping containers and used 40ft shipping containers.