Crews

Maersk is donating the services of its Special Project Logistics (SPL) unit and charging a symbolic nominal freight cost of $1 per 40’ container for urgently needed medical supplies to be distributed to medical facilities in India in response to COVID-19 related shortages. "Several donors and organisations had donated supplies worth millions of dollars; however, they all were struggling with the shipment process disrupted by Covid. We thank Maersk and the Government of India profusely for enabling us to establish this streamlined pro bono international shipment and waiver of iGST. We look forward to working closely with donors, Maersk, and the Government of India in this humanitarian aid service," said Dr. Ashutosh Pathak, Founder of Princeton Foundation. Urgent humanitarian assistance Maersk SPL is experienced in urgent humanitarian assistance around the globe and assisting the Princeton Foundation in coordinating the donation of 7 x 40’ containers urgently needed in India which recently confronted a resurgence of the COVID-19. The donations are being solicited by the Princeton Foundation for Peace & Learning, which is actively involved in philanthropic efforts globally. The supplies include oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, PPEs and other medical supplies, destined to India. Governmental medical colleges Shipments will continue to be sent to the organisations designated by the Government of India Maersk SPL has assisted numerous humanitarian aid missions for COVID-19 and their coordinated, end-to-end, single point of contact service for the Princeton Foundation and Government of India is indeed an important honour and privilege. said Christelle Delenclos, Head of North America Aid and Relief Business Development for Maersk Special Project Logistics. The first shipments are underway and expected to arrive on 7th November 2021. Current cargo for North India is being sent to King George Medical University, Lucknow-Uttar Pradesh – which is one of the nation’s top governmental medical colleges in North India. The cargo will be consolidated at this location and then distributed to regional towns and villages in the states of Uttar Pradesh. Shipments will continue to be sent to the organisations designated by the Government of India and distributed across the nation. Prioritising vessel space Maersk SPL teams in the USA and in India are performing the full scope of logistics services including speaking to donors overseas by proactively contacting them, understanding their needs, handling the booking of cargo, ensuring and prioritising vessel space, customs clearance in India and last-mile transportation delivery in India. The donations are from private entities: Harvard University’s Boston Children Hospital, BE Industries, Geisinger Health, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and BAXT Cosmedical. In addition, several individual donors also supported the endeavour.

CMA CGM informs its customers that its AMERIGO service (connecting West Med to the US East Coast) will temporarily stop calling Savannah due to severe congestion in this port (8-10 days) and in order to protect schedule integrity & weekly sailing frequency. Impacting first sailing A new call at Charleston will be inserted in the rotation and Savannah shipments will be directed to Charleston. The first sailing impact will be m/v CMA CGM LA TRAVIATA voy. 0MR9TW1MA, ETA Algeciras on October 31st, 2021, ETA Charleston on November 27th, 2021. The terminal called in Charleston will be Wando Welch Terminal (WWT) on Saturdays, which mirrors the current Savannah berth window.

Currently, women represent only two per cent of the maritime industry, while only eight percent of employees in engineering are women. This is in stark contrast to the UK workforce as a whole, of which women make up 47%. For many women, entering a sector that’s perceived as a ‘boy’s club’ isn’t always appealing. If a sector looks unwelcoming to women from the outside, it’s unlikely to attract female employees in any role. But this means these workers are potentially missing out on a rich experience, and businesses are losing out on some top female talent. Increasing gender equality This is especially concerning given the recruitment crisis the engineering sector is facing. With a recruitment gap of up to 186,000 according to Engineering UK, businesses must tap into new candidate pools in order to repair this talent hole. This is especially concerning given the recruitment crisis the engineering sector is facing It’s clear these sectors need to do more to increase their gender equality, and one of the best ways to do that is to promote existing female role models in the industry. They’ve spoken to Abi Thompson, Project Manager, and Georgia Jones, Senior Strategic Buyer, at subsea engineering company SMD to find out more about their roles and experience in the sector, as well as to get their advice for women new to the sector. Critical supply chain The two women’s roles in the business are varied and completely different. Abi describes project management as ‘the umbrella to the operation.’ She elaborates: “We make sure the process is right and that there’s communication all the way through. We’re always asking questions, we’re always looking for results. If there’s a problem, where’s the fix?” Georgia’s role, meanwhile, focuses on sourcing and onboarding suppliers for SMD’s critical supply chain, as well as identifying the need for new products or technologies. For her, the key part of her role is “Managing high-risk, high-volume, high-value electrical commodities in the business across all projects and divisions.” Both women have roles that require collaboration across the entire business, meaning they’re well-known and highly valued within SMD. Looking at new solutions Both women have successfully progressed in their career since joining SMD" According to Abi, “Project management is very hands-on. We’re always buzzing around the place and there’s a lot of interaction with the whole team. We oversee the whole process from the sales stage all the way through to delivery and the sea trials.” For Georgia, she collaborates both internally and externally. “I work really closely with the electrical engineering department looking at new solutions, whether that’s new tech or suppliers. Both women have successfully progressed in their career since joining SMD. Georgia came into the business as an Electrical Buyer and worked her way up to Senior Strategic Buyer. Abi began her SMD career in a junior admin role, progressing to Associate Project Manager before eventually being appointed in a full Project Manager role.” Different career paths Both women had hugely different career paths and entry points into SMD. Following the completion of an admin apprenticeship after what she described as a career ‘lightbulb moment’, Abi saw the junior admin role advertised. Her father was a Group Production Manager, so she utilised her network to get the foot in the door. From that point, she says, I got into a good market at a good time, worked hard and proved myself in the business" “I worked my way up the ranks with hard graft.” Her career path is not one everyone hears about often due to how her education panned out. “I left school with no GCSEs. I’ve got nothing on paper, but now I’m a Project Manager and I smash it. I didn’t know which way I wanted to go in my career, which I think most people don’t know at 16. I got into a good market at a good time, worked hard and proved myself in the business.” Taking traditional routes Thanks to SMD, Abi has now completed a foundation degree in Business Management and is currently studying a top-up degree – something she never thought she’d achieve. This is an inspiring message to any young women who haven’t taken traditional routes through education. Georgia came to SMD from the manufacturing sector, so maritime engineering was a new environment to her. “I’d just had a baby and was looking for something new. I’d been in purchasing supply chain for years, and the advert was out there at the right time. This was completely different – what SMD does is completely different in general.” Georgia’s vast experience in the supply chain meant she was able to hit the ground running in this new, exciting sector. Most rewarding jobs There’s a common theme in what both Georgia and Abi find most rewarding in their jobs These different experiences highlight the fact that there’s no right way to get into a new career or sector. Utilising a network can be beneficial to getting the foot in the door and rising through the ranks to prove someone. Equally, Georgia proves that there is no need to be in the same sector the whole career to add value to a business. Although they’re in very different roles, there’s a common theme in what both Georgia and Abi find most rewarding in their jobs. According to Georgia, “The obvious area for me is when you get to the end of a project, you look back and see the cost-savings in your area for the commodity.” Abi agrees that seeing a project come to fruition is fulfilling. Everything comes together “For me, it’s when you see the product go into production and everything comes together. All the work you’ve put in at the front end starts paying off. The materials are right, parts are right, it’s slotting together, and you start seeing something being built.” The materials are right, parts are right, it’s slotting together, and you start seeing something being built" Nurturing a relationship from start to finish is also important to Georgia. She says: “Finding a new supplier and working with them from the tender all the way through to approved status, developing a relationship, and seeing them integrated into SMD as a valued member of the supply chain is really rewarding.” Unsurprisingly, there are times when Georgia and Abigail are the only women in the room. So, how do they cope with that? Providing supportive environment According to Georgia, “I was told to not be afraid to speak up and get your opinion across. Engineering is male-dominated and you’re quite often the only female in a room full of men. Don’t be afraid to put your opinions across and challenge other people’s views. You’ll also have your views challenged, so you can provide a good argument for them.” Abi says SMD has provided a supportive environment that has allowed her to progress in her career. She’s also supported as a mother of a young child who is juggling higher learning. She comments: “I’ve got my daughter, assignments to write, and projects to kick off, and the SMD team is so good about it. One day, when I was struggling, my manager told me I’d be able to do my hours whenever I could, giving me some important flexibility.” Male-dominated industry Georgia used her vast experience in multiple stages of the supply chain to adapt to her role These women’s experiences in a male-dominated industry show there’s no one right way to approach a career in maritime and engineering. Abi left school without GCSEs but, by utilising her network and working incredibly hard once she’d secured a role, she has risen through the ranks into a highly demanding role, as well as taking on an apprenticeship and a degree. Georgia used her vast experience in multiple stages of the supply chain to adapt to her role in a new environment. Her advice is important: in a male-dominated industry, don’t be afraid to speak your mind. And don’t be afraid to enter a brand-new industry. In order to achieve gender equality in these industries, the industry needs more trailblazers like Abi and Georgia.

Inmarsat, the pioneer in global, mobile satellite communications, publishes a new report pinpointing the impact of COVID-19 in accelerating global shipping’s digital journey. Written by maritime innovation consultancy Thetius and sponsored by the Inmarsat Research Programme, ‘A Changed World: The state of digital transformation in a post-COVID-19 maritime industry’ captures a sector fast-tracking IoT-based solutions from November 2019. It characterises COVID-19 as a 'universal disruptor and catalyst for digital transformation.' Including massive growth The report finds that, as COVID-19 emerged and global travel restrictions took hold, surging demand for crew connectivity was echoed in uptake for other digital services needed to keep ships running. Crew training and officer examinations went fully online for the first time ever in some jurisdictions" “The impact of COVID-19 on ship operations is evidenced by a massive increase in the use of remote services such as pilotage and surveying,” the report says. “Similarly, crew training and officer examinations went fully online for the first time ever in some jurisdictions. More broadly, global trade facilitation saw an explosion in the use of digital tools, including massive growth in consumer demand for e-commerce and the use of online booking platforms for shipping freight.” Maritime digital products Inmarsat’s own data covering commercial shipping during the pandemic period showed that the average daily data consumption per vessel nearly tripled, from 3.4 to 9.8 gigabytes between January 2020 and March 2021. In a further significant shift, the authors project the global maritime digital products and services market in 2021 as being worth $159bn - 18% ahead of pre-pandemic forecasts. Thetius predicts that, by 2022, market turnover will be three years ahead of pre-pandemic forecasts. “Digital solutions are now pervasive in maritime, and one consequence of COVID-19 has been that our customers – and their customers – increasingly think digital first,” commented Stefano Poli, VP Business Development, Inmarsat Maritime. Dedicated connectivity agreement ORCHESTRA will deliver future-proof connectivity everywhere - including to hot spots in busy ports" “The last 18 months have been challenging, but they have also brought a seismic shift in attitudes in favour of IoT-based solutions for crew connectivity, safety, sustainability and ship efficiency. New acceptance of remote ship surveys, for example, led Inmarsat and Lloyd’s Register to collaborate on the first dedicated connectivity agreement to livestream surveys while vessels are at sea. This is just one example of the vast scope of previously promising digital opportunities whose maritime moment has come." “Inmarsat recently unveiled plans for ORCHESTRA, the communications network of the future which will continue to anticipate digital needs,” Poli added. “Bringing together Inmarsat’s comprehensive geosynchronous (GEO) satellite network with low earth orbit satellites (LEO) and terrestrial 5G into a single high-performance ‘network of networks’, ORCHESTRA will deliver future-proof connectivity everywhere - including to hot spots in busy ports, passenger ships and autonomous vessels,“ he said. Mobile satellite communications The UK is also second only to the United States as the most abundant source of cloud computing As a pioneer in global mobile satellite communications, Inmarsat is also headquartered in London, and the new report also focuses on the UK as a host nation for technology and innovation. Data from the Thetius intelligence platform shows that, since 2008, the UK has produced the highest number of maritime technology businesses in the G7 connected to ship operations and management. The UK is also second only to the United States as the most abundant source of cloud computing, data and analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the maritime sector. A call for the UK Government to boost non-financial support for innovation in the maritime sector is one of three key recommendations in 'A Changed World.' Thetius also suggests digital momentum will be best maintained globally if larger industry stakeholders create a route to decarbonisation with definite milestones, while start-ups would benefit from deeper understanding of the dynamics between different stakeholders in shipping to identify where their solutions can best be utilised.

MAN Energy Solutions has signed a cooperation agreement with DP World (Drydocks World), the globally renowned provider of smart logistics solutions. Effective immediately, the agreement targets common progress in the field of decarbonisation and is scheduled to run for five years, with an option to extend thereafter.   Wayne Jones OBE – Chief Sales Officer, and Gaby Hanna – Senior Vice President and Head of Region – Middle East & Africa, acted as signatories for MAN Energy Solutions, while Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem – Group Chairman & CEO, signed on behalf of DP World. Key steps to decarbonise Shipping “To achieve net zero emissions, we must recognise the importance of taking urgent and immediate steps to decarbonise shipping and the way to do that is by identifying opportunities to forge partnerships, with renowned industry players and governments, to develop solutions that will allow us to reap tangible results.” said Captain Rado Antolovic, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), DP World (Drydocks World). Wayne Jones said “We have worked closely with DP World on many projects, over the years and are very happy to enter into this formal agreement. In the transition towards a carbon-neutral future, we aim to achieve sustainable value-creation, by addressing the challenges inherent to the marine, energy and industrial sectors. Ultimately, we intend to develop pioneering solutions, to the issues posed by decarbonisation and will work with selected partners, to achieve this.” Strategic partnership purpose and scope Mutual areas of interest for the two companies include green-fuels infrastructure, future-proof conversions Mutual areas of interest for the two companies include green-fuels infrastructure, future-proof conversions (LNG, methanol, ammonia, etc.), hybrid drives, electric engines R&D and training, and investigation of their respective, global footprints, to further reduce the environmental impact of shipping traffic, in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. MAN - DP World partnership MAN Energy Solutions has previously collaborated with the DP World Group, on many occasions. The most recent of these was in September 2021, when the ‘ElbBLUE’, a container ship operated by charterer, Unifeeder – part of the DP World Group – bunkered 20 tons of green SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) at Brunsbüttel, Germany. In a first for commercial shipping, the fuel was generated from 100% renewable energy via power-to-X technology. Formerly known as the ‘Wes Amelie’, the 1,036-teu feeder container ship, previously made headlines in 2017, when its MAN 8L48/60B main engine was retrofitted to its current, four-stroke MAN 51/60DF unit, to enable dual-fuel operation. The first such conversion of its type globally, it showed that existing engines could be converted to LNG operation, with a tremendous effect on exhaust emissions and the environment. Maritime Energy Transition MAN Energy Solutions believes that it is time for what it calls a ‘Maritime Energy Transition’ to find clean, decarbonised solutions, for seaborne trade and transportation. Essentially, it is the company’s call to action, in order to reduce emissions and establish zero-carbon fuels, as the fuels of choice, in global shipping. It strongly promotes a common approach, by the shipping industry and politics to invest in infrastructure development, and retrofits.

The UK government has selected eight new freeports in England, as a means to boost trade, jobs and investment, across the country. The special taxation and customs rules for the freeports will help businesses develop new facilities and operations, to trade and manufacture goods more cost-effectively, countering the effects of other complications, such as Brexit and COVID-19 pandemic.  Early deliverability of opportunities for new businesses is the key, with Solent Gateway Ltd, at Marchwood Port, Southampton, leading the way with 64 hectares of new space, which will be available from as early as Autumn 2022. Freeport A freeport is an economic zone, such as a freight seaport or airport, where typical VAT and customs rules don’t apply A freeport is an economic zone, typically encompassing a freight seaport or airport, where typical VAT and customs rules don’t apply. This makes it cheaper and easier for raw materials or components to be imported to manufacturers, processed into manufactured goods and imported into the UK, or exported. They can also have simpler planning rules, helping businesses to quickly build or adapt premises in the area. The locations across England for the eight new freeports were announced by the Chancellor, for the budget in March 2021. These locations for freeports include: Solent East Midlands Airport Felixstowe and Harwich Humber region Liverpool City Region Plymouth Thames Teesside The eight freeports will create some 170,000 jobs, in the coming five to ten years. Within the Solent Freeport, Marchwood Port, operated by Solent Gateway Ltd, has been designated as both a customs site and a tax site. Tax incentives of freeports Freeports can help businesses to improve processing time, due to reduced transportation Within a freeport customs site, there are two principal benefits. Firstly, customs duty and import VAT are only charged on goods, if and when they are released from the freeport into the United Kingdom. This enables businesses to process, store and transport goods with greater flexibility, giving them a cash flow benefit. Secondly, duty paid can be on the final product, rather than component parts, if lower, also reducing the tax paid, as raw materials normally have a higher duty rate, in comparison to the manufactured or processed goods. Freeports can help businesses to improve processing time, due to reduced transportation. Freeport tax sites get higher capital allowances Freeport tax sites will benefit from greater capital allowances, when purchasing plant and machinery, or building new structures. Companies will be able to claim 100% enhanced capital allowances, on the purchase of new and unused plants, and machinery that is incurred for a trade being carried out at the freeport tax site. The purchase will need to be incurred before September 30, 2026, for the item to qualify for this benefit. Plus, qualifying expenditure on structures and buildings, within a freeport zone will qualify for Enhanced Structures and Buildings Allowance, at 10% per year, for 10 years on expenditure incurred before September 30, 2026. This is a significant increase on the current level of 3% per year, for 33 years for non-freeport areas. There are also very appealing benefits around national insurance relief, for up to 3 years per employee and business rates relief, with new or expanding business being able to claim up to 100% relief, for 5 years. UK freeports plan The UK freeports plan is an excellent initiative to incentivise new businesses, to set up new operations in freeports" Richard Parkinson, the Port Director at Solent Gateway Ltd, said “The UK freeports plan is an excellent initiative to incentivise new businesses, to set up new operations in freeports. It presents a truly golden opportunity for both UK and foreign businesses. Solent Gateway is unique in its offering, as it is both a customs and tax site, with high-quality logistic space, to be available to new businesses from Autumn 2022.” He adds, “In terms of who will benefit most from operating in a customs and tax site, such as ours, it is businesses that want to develop new facilities and operations, thereby benefiting from all the incentives to attract new business, import goods and components to the UK, store goods for as long as they want, without facing customs duties after 90 days, and manufacture or assemble products, as import duties are paid on the final product or component parts when they leave the freeport, whichever is cheaper.” Richard Parkinson continues, “If goods are exported after manufacture, inside a freeport, no customs duties will be paid, so I have no doubt that freeports are very attractive to manufacturers. Any organisation that wants to import, manufacture and export within a customs site, will avoid all duties, so that is a great incentive. Any business that wants to store items for more than 90 days will also benefit.” Solent Freeport Solent Gateway Ltd is part of the Solent Freeport. Establishing the Solent Freeport will create 52,000 new skilled and semi-skilled jobs, including 26,000 direct jobs in the Solent and 26,000 in the wider UK supply chain. COVID-19 has widened the opportunity gap for these communities and a Solent Freeport provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse these trends. The Solent Freeport will also support levelling up, across the United Kingdom, in particular, in the UK’s industrial heartlands of the Midlands and North. The potential of significant government investment in freight links between Southampton and the Midlands will be realised, through the connectivity to global markets that the Solent ports provide. Marchwood Port logistics hub Chris Anderson, Head of Business Development at Solent Gateway Ltd, stated “Solent Gateway Ltd, located at Marchwood Port, Southampton is one of a very few locations in the UK that is both, a tax site and customs site. We are, therefore, tailor-made for the development of new facilities for import, manufacturing, assembly, storage, export or delivery into the UK.” Chris Anderson adds, “Marchwood Port is a very high-quality port-centric logistics hub with the outstanding sea, rail and road connectivity, and will have 64.3 hectares of new space available for commercial use starting in Autumn 2022.” 

The cruise industry has received a vital lifeline in its bid to safely set sail once again. Several pioneering Finnish businesses and organisations have developed new, innovative safety approaches for the sector to adopt, in response to new post-pandemic measures. These new initiatives and research projects are set to bring the industry back from the brink and ensure a safer and successful cruise experience for all. Undertaking health and safety measures Expectations surrounding cruises today have changed beyond all recognition in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff has always been a top priority for the industry, its recovery depends on taking health and safety measures to a new level, to drive stability and sustainability in the challenging years ahead. Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, Finnish research organisations and companies have led the charge in responding to the industry’s call for new solutions to support its resurgence. With viable options showing what is possible, the future of the industry looks bright and secure. Healthy Travel project Researchers collaborated with cruise companies to find ways of improving health and safety on cruise ships The Healthy Travel project[i] is one such initiative: researchers collaborated with cruise companies, shipyards, and subcontractors to find ways of improving health and safety on cruise ships and in terminal buildings. Researchers in cell biology and industrial management created models to analyse passenger flows on vessels of different sizes and developed processes and procedures to minimize infection risks. To further understand the role of breathing, coughing, and sneezing in spreading COVID-19, researchers from Tampere University, VTT Technology Research Centre of Finland, and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare created a robot head [ii] prototype as part of the AIRCO research project. Air purification techniques The initial aim of the robot was to support the design and planning of all kinds of indoor spaces, including ships and terminals, and to measure the effectiveness of masks, ventilation, and air filtration and purification solutions in preventing the spread of viruses. Ensuring indoor air quality (IAQ) is also a crucial factor for minimising infections among passengers and crew. To support the need for better air purification techniques, interior accommodation provider ALMACO partnered with Genano [iii] to provide the marine and offshore industry with advanced air decontamination technology that removes airborne impurities of all sizes, including microbes and the novel coronavirus. Developing solutions for material flow on ships KONE researched with several cruise line companies to develop solutions for people and material flows on ships In addition to air quality, the flow of people and material can have a huge impact on the transmission of airborne viruses. KONE [iv], a global pioneer for marine elevators and escalators, conducted intensive research in partnership with several cruise line companies to develop new solutions for people and material flows on ships while improving health and safety on board and in the terminals. This involved collecting data with sensors installed on ships, timing activities, and conducting interviews with passengers and crew members. In the same vein, an IoT platform from Hypercell[v] uses Bluetooth signal sensors to collect data on people volumes, dwell times, and flows in indoor and outdoor locations. Innovation is key Innovative approaches are the way forward for the industry to get back on its feet, but with so much at stake, these next steps are crucial to get right. Accurate data, insight, and new techniques will play a key role in moving forward, as Timo Pakarinen, managing director for KONE’s marine business explains, “Any changes on cruise ships must be fact-based and commercially viable solutions because the investments required are so large.” Supporting cruise industry recovery “Collaborative research projects such as these, which have been initiated and funded by Business Finland, will continue to produce innovations and technologies to support the recovery and future viability of the cruise industry for many years to come.” “Finland now offers leading technologies and solutions focusing on indoor air quality, passenger flows, safety protocols, and touchless solutions. The insights gained from this vital research are also contributing to the design of new cruise ships,” says Ulla Lainio, Head of Marine & Ports Global Industry Team at Business Finland.

Backlogged ports, a shortage of shipping containers and not enough workers are among the factors contributing to supply chain disruptions that have led to shortages of various goods and are likely to impact availability of merchandise, during the upcoming holiday season. Demand is growing rapidly as the impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic have diminished. However, lingering consequences of the pandemic are continuing to impact the container shipping market. With each element in the system tightly intertwined, any changes tend to ripple with additional repercussions. Slow circulatory movement of containers A direct upshot of the COVID-19 pandemic was to slow the circulatory movement of containers globally. To increase productivity and save time, some vessels began making their return journeys empty, in effect leaving more empty containers at the delivery destination and fewer at the source of shipments. The varied timing of the pandemic in Asia and the West compounded the problem At one point, Asian containers could not be sent back to Asia, because of COVID-19 restrictions in place. The varied timing of the pandemic in Asia and the West compounded the problem. With empty containers stacking up in the West and a shortage in the East, slower circulation of containers and higher demand have led to sharp increases in costs. Millions of TEU dry container units added A lack of new equipment is not the problem. Last year, the industry added about 2.8 million twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) units of dry containers, in line with the 10-year average. Congestion at ports has been going on for months and still continues. Recently, in the San Pedro Bay region, near the Port of Long Beach, in California, there were 144 ships, including 85 ships that were waiting to unload. In Savannah, Georgia, more than 20 container ships were waiting to dock. Ports in the US states of New Jersey, New York and Texas have also seen record backlogs. Majority of influential global ports face backlogs According to one report, 77% of the most influential ports in the world reported above-average wait times this year. The turn-around time for a container in ports has nearly doubled in 2021, in comparison to 2019. A worker shortage at the ports is aggravating the problem and container ships now carry about 30% more goods, which require more labour to unload. Ports are also doing the additional work with fewer people. There is also reduced labour productivity at warehouses and marine terminals. Investment in workforce training to counter bottlenecks Some port bosses expect the bottlenecks to last through the summer of 2022. To address the problem, some ports are investing in workforce training and scheduling night-time appointments to pick up goods. Although a lot of attention is focused on the ports, they are just one element in the troubled supply chain. Even if the ports could increase their capacity, downstream processes would also have to increase their labour force, to accommodate the higher volume. Difficult to absorb impact of global supply chain disruptions In the best of times, the global supply chain operates like a well-oiled machine In the best of times, the global supply chain operates like a well-oiled machine, despite its complexity and the inter-relatedness of various stakeholders. However, the sheer size of the system makes it difficult to absorb the impact of any disruptions. Turning the system around takes time, and a burgeoning global demand for goods, in the aftermath of a global pandemic, makes recovery even more difficult. The Biden Administration in the U.S. has established a Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, to monitor and address short-term supply issues. This task force is convening meetings of stakeholders in industries with urgent supply-chain problems, such as construction and semiconductors, to identify the immediate bottlenecks, as well as potential solutions. Role of global supply chain more critical now There have been supply chain disruption and staff shortages in several countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), Germany and New Zealand, according to business surveys. As the economy recovered and demand increased, businesses have not yet been able to bring inventories fully back to pre-pandemic levels, causing inventory-to-sales ratios to fall. The role of the global supply chain has never been more critical.

Shipment of goods around the world has continued throughout COVID-19, but the pandemic has afforded unprecedented challenges to the maritime industry. When the pandemic necessitated health restrictions and limited international travel, the impact on crew change practices was monumental. More than a million seafarers work in demanding conditions to support 80% of world trade. Crews were trapped on board vessels for months and months, unable to return home and extending their tours of duty indefinitely. Especially impacted were major crew change port countries in Asia where the majority of seafarers reside. Protective health measures Seafarers are facing extended tours of duty and high levels of fatigue that could lead to a serious accident More than 18 months into the pandemic, the ongoing crew change crisis appears as intractable as the disease itself. Seafarers are facing extended tours of duty and high levels of fatigue that could lead to a serious accident. Thousands have been left stranded on ships beyond the terms of their contracts. If the crisis has an impact on safety, ships may be unable to continue operations, which could threaten the global supply chain. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued a Framework of Protocols for crew change, recently updated, including recommendations such as designating marine personnel as ‘key workers,’ exempting them from travel restrictions, simplifying requirements for identity documents and approvals, implementing screening procedures, and providing basic protective health measures against COVID-19. Key maritime hubs Recognising a shared responsibility to resolve the crew change crisis, more than 800 companies and organisations have signed the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change. The declaration’s action points include recognising seafarers as key workers, implementing ‘gold standard’ health protocols, and ensuring air connectivity between key maritime hubs for seafarers. The declaration also promotes more collaboration between ship operators and charterers to facilitate crew change. The declaration’s action points include recognising seafarers as key workers Data from the 10 largest ship managers reflects a 50% increase between May and July 2021 in the proportion of seafarers onboard vessels beyond their contract expiry. The fast-spreading Delta variant has aggravated the problem, and a report for July suggests the problem is getting worse. The Maritime Labour Convention says the maximum continuous period a seafarer should serve on board a vessel without leave is 11 months. Crew change crisis However, the number of seafarers aboard vessels beyond their contract expiry has risen recently from 5.8% to 8.8%. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) estimates that more than 300,000 seafarers have extended their working periods on board due to delay in connection of their relief. Factors aggravating the crew change crisis include: There are many stakeholders with shared responsibilities that must be addressed. Collaboration and transparent sharing of information are needed to solve the problem. Working together is the only path to a solution. Lack of vaccine availability. Seafarers in developing countries do not have access to vaccines. Large seafarer nations such as the Philippines are reporting vaccine shortages. Priority access to vaccines is a critical factor in resolving the crew change crisis. Continuing high infection rates and domestic lockdowns. Given the Delta variant and other factors, it is clear the pandemic is far from over. Supply chain demands The crew change crisis has gone on for a year and a half, with the highest cost falling on seafarers, their health, and their families’ wellbeing. The importance of maintaining the global supply chain demands that the industry, the biggest ports and the key shipping transit points around the globe work collectively to address the lingering challenges of the crew change crisis.

The Mayflower departed from Plymouth, United Kingdom, this June with the intent of retracing the route of its famous historical namesake. The difference is that, in the case of the modern Mayflower, there was nobody on board the vessel, which operates autonomously. The vessel is able to assess the current environment, identify and avoid hazards, and maintain situational awareness using the ship’s edge computing technology. The Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS400) is a project of the marine research non-profit ProMare, incorporating IBM automation software. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) and solar energy, providing a platform to enable deeper understanding of issues such as climate change, ocean plastic pollution, and conserving marine mammals. Complex computer technologies The initial voyage of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship came to an end three days later when a mechanical problem developed with the ship’s generator. Over the course of the journey, MAS400 cruised at an average speed of 7 knots and covered 450 nautical miles in a west-southwest direction, according to ProMare. Plans are for MAS400 to return to the water and resume tests and long-range trials within weeks Ironically, it was a hardware component that ended the trip and not directly related to the complex computer technologies that enable the vessel to operate autonomously. Plans are for MAS400 to return to the water and resume tests and long-range trials within weeks. The innovation that drives the MAS400 project is also enabling a worldwide trend toward autonomous shipping technologies, which are poised to revolutionize the trade sector by increasing sustainability and minimizing vessel collision. Remotely controlled ships When discussing automation in the maritime sector, it is useful to consider the various degrees of autonomy. In addition to the traditional ‘manned’ approach, an automated ship might run pre-programmed software to analyse conditions. Alternatively, a fully autonomous ship can analyse data to calculate the consequences and risks and make independent decisions. The transition from manned to fully autonomous is likely to occur in degrees in the coming years. At the first stage, ships may be equipped with automated processes and support for human decision-making. More automation helps to reduce mental workload for the crews and increase their productivity. At the next level, remotely controlled ships may be deployed with crews on board. The crews could ensure safety of entering and departing a port, with the ocean passage more automated. Collision avoidance methods The crews may be eliminated, and the ships operated completely by remote control Alternately, the crews may be eliminated, and the ships operated completely by remote control. The final stage is fully autonomous ships, which include the ability to determine actions and make decisions independently. Advantages of autonomous shipping include less possibility for human error, lower crew costs, safer treatment of aquatic life, and better fuel efficiency. Current collision avoidance methods do not adequately compensate for human error, which would not be a problem with broader adoption of autonomous ships. On-board computer systems can deploy AI and machine learning to collect and crunch data on position, speed and route to more accurately address the risk of collision. Collision avoidance systems have been developed by companies such as Orca AI and Fujitsu Laboratories. Monitoring fleet movements The degree of autonomy will vary based on the types of trade and trading patterns Implementing the technology will require a large capital investment, both in the ships themselves and in onshore operations centres to monitor fleet movements. With no crew at all on board, maintenance issues of moving parts will be a challenge on long voyages. Desirability of autonomy varies by the application. For example, a small inland and coastal craft might be more easily automated than a large trans-Atlantic container ship. How soon will autonomous ships be the norm? It is likely to be within the next several years. For example, the Yara Birkeland is an inland electric container ship that is likely to be fully autonomous by 2022. Broadly speaking, the degree of autonomy will vary based on the types of trade and trading patterns. Looking long-term, there is a need for an in-depth cost and benefit analysis of the technology, which will pave the way for broader adoption.

Two pioneers in marine electrification, Volvo Penta, and Danfoss’ Editron division, have worked together to power two of the UK’s first fully integrated hybrid electric crew transfer vessels (CTVs). The vessels have been in operation at an offshore wind farm for a month and are already making a positive environmental impact. A recent announcement from COP26 was the promise of £160 million in new funding to support the building of floating offshore wind farms in Scotland and Wales. Although this is a significant win in the UK government’s commitment to quadruple offshore wind farm capacity to 40 gigawatts by 2030, it also means that more CTVs will be needed to deliver supplies and transport workers to the offshore sites and so reinforcing efforts such as the Global Offshore Wind Alliance and other such creditable initiatives to come out of COP26. Cross-industry collaboration Wind farm transfer company MHO-Co is meeting this growing demand for transportation between shore and wind farms in the greenest and most economically viable way. The company recently took delivery of two new hybrid vessels to service its offshore customer Ørsted’s Hornsea Project 2 offshore wind farm in the North Sea. By working together, we’ve been able to begin to make real changes with fuel and emission savings" The two vessels - MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo – are powered by combined technology from Volvo Penta and Danfoss Editron. “Cross-industry collaboration is needed now more than ever to take steps towards mitigating the negative impacts of climate change,” said Peter Granqvist, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Penta. “By working together, we’ve been able to begin to make real change with impressive fuel and emission savings as well as more flexible operation for our customers.” Fuel and energy savings  The two-hybrid vessels have both been in operation for just over a month and have already logged over 330 engine hours between them in the field – as well as 1000 hours on their maiden voyage from China to the North Sea. MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo have ferried over 50 workers and numerous supplies to the Hornsea Two offshore wind farm, which is located approximately 89km (55.3 miles) off the Yorkshire coast. The vessels – both equipped with Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS) – have already had an impressive environmental impact, offering fuel savings of 20.89% and reducing CO2 emissions by 20.96% compared to non-hybrid vessels, without IPS, in MHO-Co's fleet. The power of plenty Another major advantage of the hybrid vessels is the multiple power systems onboard, which Danfoss Editron and Volvo Penta have dubbed “the Power of Plenty”. “This new system gives us more flexibility and allows us to switch between engines and do maintenance when it fits our schedule, without affecting the service to our customers,” explains Mik Henriksen, CEO of MHO-Co. “We are also able to use just one small engine when idling in the wind park offering significant fuel saving and noise advantage when in waiting position. I think we have the best system possible with the technology that exists today.” Zero-emissions electric mode The vessels operate in zero-emissions electric mode for up to eight hours to achieve a maximum speed  Through their collaboration, Danfoss Editron and Volvo Penta are offering a unique solution to the offshore wind industry. By working closely together on the design, build, and delivery of the vessels, the two companies have been able to provide a solution that allows the vessels to operate in zero-emissions electric mode for up to eight hours, or combined with fuel propulsion, to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 24 knots. Marine electrification solutions “In these hybrid crew transfer vessels, we are addressing marine electrified propulsion with one total system solution,” said Peter Granqvist. “We’re proud to have pushed the limits of technology with Volvo Penta. MHO-Co now has access to the best technology and services from two of the leading companies that are offering marine electrification solutions to the global market,” added Kimmo Rauma, vice president, Editron division, Danfoss.

Two globally renowned companies in marine electrification, Volvo Penta and Danfoss’ Editron division, have worked together to power two of the United Kingdom’s first fully integrated hybrid electric crew transfer vessels (CTVs). The two fully integrated hybrid electric crew transfer vessels (CTVs) have been in operation at an offshore wind farm, for a month and are already making a positive environmental impact. Hybrid electric crew transfer vessels A recent announcement from COP26 was the promise of £160 million in new funding, to support the building of floating offshore wind farms, in Scotland and Wales, in the United Kingdom. Although this is a significant win in the UK government’s commitment to quadruple offshore wind farm capacity, to 40 gigawatts, by 2030. It also means that more CTVs will be needed to deliver supplies and transport workers, to the offshore sites and so reinforcing efforts, such as the Global Offshore Wind Alliance and other such creditable initiatives, to come out of COP26 will be vital. vessels powered by Volvo Penta and Danfoss’ technology Wind farm transfer company, MHO-Co is meeting this growing demand for transportation between shore and wind farms, in the greenest and most economically viable way. The company recently took delivery of two new hybrid vessels, to service its offshore customer, Ørsted’s Hornsea Project 2 offshore wind farm, located in the North Sea. The two vessels - MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo, are powered by combined technology from Volvo Penta and Danfoss Editron. “Cross-industry collaboration is needed now more than ever, to take steps towards mitigating the negative impacts of climate change,” said Peter Granqvist, Chief Technology Officer, at Volvo Penta, adding “By working together, we’ve been able to begin to make real change with impressive fuel and emission savings, as well as more flexible operation for our customers.” MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo vessels The two-hybrid vessels have both been in operation for just over a month The two-hybrid vessels have both been in operation for just over a month and have already logged over 330 engine hours between them in the field, as well as 1000 hours on their maiden voyage from China to the North Sea. MHO Asgard and MHO Apollo vessels have ferried over 50 workers and numerous supplies to the Hornsea Two offshore wind farm, which is located approximately 89 km (55.3 miles) off the Yorkshire coast, in the United Kingdom. Vessels equipped with Inboard Performance System (IPS) The vessels, both equipped with Volvo Penta Inboard Performance System (IPS), have already had an impressive environmental impact, offering fuel savings of 20.89% and reducing CO2 emissions by 20.96%, when compared to non-hybrid vessels, without IPS, in MHO-Co’s fleet. Another major advantage of the hybrid vessels is the multiple power systems onboard, which Danfoss Editron and Volvo Penta have dubbed ‘the Power of Plenty’. Multiple power systems onboard “This new system gives us more flexibility and allows us to switch between engines and do maintenance, when it fits our schedule, without affecting the service to our customers,” explains Mik Henriksen, CEO of MHO-Co. He adds, “We are also able to use just one small engine, when idling in the wind park, offering significant fuel saving and noise advantage, when in waiting position. I think we have the best system possible, with the technology that exists today.” Danfoss Editron and Volvo Penta partnership Danfoss Editron and Volvo Penta are offering a completely unique solution Through their collaboration, Danfoss Editron and Volvo Penta are offering a completely unique solution, to the offshore wind industry. By working closely together on the design, build and delivery of the vessels, the two companies have been able to provide a solution that allows the vessels to operate in zero-emissions electric mode, for up to eight hours, or combined with fuel propulsion, to achieve a maximum speed of approximately 24 knots. Marine electrified propulsion solution “In these hybrid crew transfer vessels, we are addressing marine electrified propulsion with one total system solution,” said Peter Granqvist. “We’re proud to have pushed the limits of technology with Volvo Penta. MHO-Co now has access to the best technology and services from two of the leading companies that are offering marine electrification solutions to the global market,” said Kimmo Rauma, Vice President, Editron division, at Danfoss.

Inmarsat, the globally renowned company in mobile satellite communications, has confirmed that its strategic partner, BSNL has received the necessary licences to deliver Inmarsat’s widely popular Global Xpress (GX) mobile broadband services in India. IFMC licence Under BSNL’s Inflight and Maritime Connectivity (IFMC) licence from the Department of Telecommunications, GX will be available to Indian customers across government, aviation and maritime. The announcement means that India’s airlines will be able to deploy GX for in-flight connectivity The announcement means that India’s airlines will be able to deploy GX for in-flight connectivity, within India and throughout the world, while India’s commercial maritime companies will be able to enhance significantly, the digitalisation of their vessels, for more effective ship operations and crew welfare services. BSNL’s licence will also see the award-winning GX service offered to government and other users. There will be a phased introduction of services for customers and partners. Rajeev Suri, Inmarsat's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said “Today is a significant day for Inmarsat and our valued, long-term partnership with India, which was a signatory to the founding treaty, establishing Inmarsat in 1979. Inmarsat is delighted to make the world’s only global high-speed mobile broadband Ka-band network available to the Government and businesses in India, through our partner - BSNL. We are committed to India and the company has been a trusted partner for the Indian government, for four decades. Today’s announcement, which we share proudly with our friends at BSNL, will help to underpin the further economic growth that we all wish to see in India.” Global Xpress (GX) mobile broadband services Global Xpress (GX) mobile broadband services, operating in the Ka-band, is the first and only high-speed broadband network, designed for mobility and government customers, to seamlessly span the world. This market-renowned service delivers the high bandwidth, reliability and security that commercial and government-grade mobility customers demand. GX is continually evolving to offer even more capacity, capabilities and operational agility for Inmarsat customers now and well into the future. The company is launching a further seven GX satellites, including its next generation GX satellites, over the coming three years, each of which will add more capacity into a single region than the first four satellites combined. The GX gateway for India is located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Inmarsat - BSNL partnership BSNL and Inmarsat are delighted to share this key milestone with our partners and customers in India" Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL, Mr P.K. Purwar said “BSNL and Inmarsat are delighted to share this key milestone with our partners and customers in India. Global Xpress is recognised as the world’s best high-speed satellite communications service for government and mobility business customers and we are very pleased to make these capabilities available to users in India." P.K. Purwar adds, "All of us at BSNL appreciate the commitment to excellence shown by the Indian Government as we have worked on approvals to deliver this service to the country. Equally, we thank our partner Inmarsat for their spirit of collaboration in reaching today’s milestone to help power forward economic development in India through higher quality connectivity for our customers.” Passenger inflight connectivity service Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet Ltd, said “We are delighted that Global Xpress, the world-renowned passenger inflight connectivity service, is now coming to India. We are looking forward to offering this ground-breaking connectivity service to our passengers, later this year, when we introduce our new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It will enable our customers to remain connected in the air, as they do on the ground.” Gautam Sharma, Inmarsat India Managing Director, said “Inmarsat is well-positioned to partner with the Indian government to address the ever-growing demand for reliable, mobile satellite communication services across a broad range of commercial and public sectors. Following the successful introduction of Inmarsat’s voice and broadband data communication services across India in the past, today we are announcing that Inmarsat’s award-winning Global Xpress services has now secured the necessary licenses through our valued partner BSNL." High-speed satellite mobile broadband Communications Global Xpress is the gold standard of high-speed satellite mobile broadband communications" Gautam Sharma adds, "Global Xpress is the gold standard of high-speed satellite mobile broadband communications. It will enable Indian domestic airlines and international airlines, flying over India, to provide the world’s fastest inflight connectivity. It will also speed up the digitalisation of Indian-flagged maritime vessels and give an edge to the Indian Government, including its defence forces. We are proud to be led by Rajeev Suri, an Indian-born global leader, as we unlock the next phase of commitment to the Indian government and Indian market.” ORCHESTRA, the communications network of the future Inmarsat recently unveiled plans for ORCHESTRA, the communications network of the future, which will bring the company’s existing geosynchronous (GEO) satellite networks (GX and Inmarsat ELERA operating in the L-band) together, with low earth orbit satellites (LEO) and terrestrial 5G network, to form an integrated, high-performance solution, unmatched by any existing or planned competitor offering. ORCHESTRA allows capacity to be boosted in high-density areas such as at airports and maritime ports, eliminating network ‘hot spot’ congestion forever and ensuring that the connectivity needs of mobility and government customers continue to be met for decades to come, with capacity scaled directly to match their requirements.

The OceanGate Expeditions 2021 Titanic Survey Expedition was connected by Inmarsat’s critical satellite communications. Inmarsat, the global front-runner in mobile satellite communications, kept the OceanGate Expeditions crew connected with team members and support services during the six-week expedition to document the important maritime heritage site located over 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic Ocean. Satisfactory customer service “The OceanGate Expeditions’ Titanic Survey Expedition has taken Inmarsat full circle,” said Eric Griffin, VP Offshore and High-End Fishing, Inmarsat. “In response to the sinking of the Titanic and the appalling loss of life, the 1914 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention developed a radiotelegraphy requirement for vessels to be equipped with radio equipment for continuous communications." The International Maritime Organization set up Inmarsat to provide reliable satellite communications "In 1979, the International Maritime Organization set up Inmarsat to provide reliable satellite communications to mariners as an extension of this original requirement. Today, we are proud to have worked with the team at OceanGate Expeditions to make these communications available at high speeds via Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress service for their operations and to have played a role in the important scientific and documentary work they are performing.” Mission success “In any expeditionary environment your crew needs to plan for and be prepared for the unexpected,” says Stockton Rush, President, OceanGate Expeditions. “The ability to communicate with onshore crewmembers from the expedition support vessel makes a significant difference toward achieving mission success. Whether simply requesting parts and supplies we needed throughout the expedition, tracking our dive crews during hours-long dives in the OceanGate Inc. submersible, Titan, or ensuring the welfare of our crewmembers as they stayed in touch with family and friends back home, communications were essential for our operations. Our supporting Mission Specialists also appreciated the ability to maintain contact and share their experiences,” says Rush.

Danfoss Editron, part of Danfoss, has been chosen by Damen Shipyards to provide the electric drivetrain system, powering the shipyard’s newest Fast Crew Supply (FCS) vessel. Known as the FCS 7011, the vessel will represent a leap forward, in terms of speed, comfort and efficiency of FCS vessels. The FCS 7011 vessel, which recently completed sea trials in Turkey, will be used by the offshore energy market, for the high-speed transit of personnel and light cargo, to and from offshore locations. FCS 7011 vessel The FCS 7011 vessel is expected to become the first crew boat, which is capable of competing with helicopters, to transfer crew and materials, with minimum loss of time and increased comfort, and safety. The vessel’s first operational testing will take place, later in 2021, in the North Sea, as proof of principle, marking the first step towards global commercialisation. The team expects commercial testing to begin in the first quarter of 2022. Designed by Damen Shipyards, the 74 m, slender vessel will be able to carry 122 passengers, at speeds of up to 40 knots, servicing large platforms, which are located up to 150 nautical miles offshore. Comfort-enhancing features include a gyroscope, minimised rolling and a dedicated Ampelmann gangway that provides safe access to platforms, in a broad weather window. Hybrid-electric marine system Danfoss Editron’s hybrid-electric marine system comprises DC distribution boards Danfoss Editron’s hybrid-electric marine system comprises DC distribution boards, which run at a nominal voltage of 700 VDC, four shaft generators and an EDITRON load and control system. To further enhance passengers’ safety and comfort, and lower fuel consumption, the FCS vessel will be propelled by four main engines which, through a gearbox, will drive the Hamilton HT9000 water jets and the Danfoss’ Editron shaft generators. This vessel’s solution will increase propulsion efficiency while reducing vibrations and noise levels. When operating in a dynamic positioning, the system can optimise the power needed while performing load requests. It can also detect the amount of charge left in the electric system, so the amount of fuel used is kept to a minimum. EDITRON load and control system Erno Tenhunen, Marine Director at Danfoss Editron, said “Our compact and lightweight hybrid-electric technology is perfectly optimised for FCS vessels, which need to transport a high number of personnel and cargo, in a limited space. We’re delighted to see shipyards turning to hybrid-electric solutions, for vessels covering large distances. Our EDITRON system guarantees the highest efficiency, adding value to hybrid operations, by reducing costs and fuel consumption.” David Stibbe, Director of Business Development and Market Intelligence at Damen Shipyards, stated “We’re entering a new era of offshore personnel transportation, with an increased demand for safer vessels, with greater cost-efficiency. We were impressed by Danfoss Editron’s credentials, as well as its high-performance, light-weight electrical systems, two important benefits that enable our vessel to travel at high speeds. We’re looking forward to the first operational testing of the vessel, beginning in the North Sea, later this year.”

KONE, a global pioneer for marine elevators and escalators, has conducted intensive research in partnership with several cruise line companies during the past three years. The aim has been to enhance the cruise experience by developing new solutions for the people and material flows on the ships while improving health and safety on board and in the terminals. The research has involved collecting data with sensors installed on the ships, timing activities, and interviews with passengers and crew members. “We have collected a great deal of data that supports the companies’ decision-making. Any changes on cruise ships must be fact-based and commercially viable solutions because the investments required are so large,” says Timo Pakarinen, managing director for KONE’s marine business. 3D simulation modelling KONE has used 3D simulation modelling of people’s movements on a ship during embarkation/disembarkation and the sea day. This made it possible to run different test scenarios on how elevators and escalators work, depending on the number and types of passengers. The end solution helps tackle challenges such as crowded elevator lobbies or other passenger flow bottlenecks Modelling includes different distributions of various walking speed groups, as well as restricted mobility users to match predicted passenger profiles. The end solution will help tackle challenges such as crowded elevator lobbies or other passenger flow bottlenecks. The COVID pandemic has made KONE’s research even timelier, as passengers have become very aware of the risks of infection in enclosed spaces. Minimising health risks “We have also carried out airflow research with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland to make the elevator cars safer through cleaner air and better ventilation. The goal is peace of mind for the users by minimising the health risks in our elevators,” Pakarinen explains. In addition to developing new solutions on existing cruise ships, KONE is also a supplier in several ongoing new build cruise liner projects. The full extent of KONE’s research-based innovations will be revealed when these new ships are launched in the coming years. Optimising passenger flow “KONE’s early involvement means that the shipowner gets the full value of our optimisation service because that’s when the big decisions about the ship are made. This ensures that the ship will have exactly the right number of elevators in the right places to ensure optimal passenger flow experiences with investments in elevator equipment,” says Pakarinen. “We see each strategic partnership as a means to facilitate innovation and identify efficiencies.”