Technical Papers

• Regulation of container weighing

  When it comes to weighing of containers, the shipping industry already has an international regulation scheme in place. So what is the problem? Unfortunately it frequently occurs that the shipper's declared weight is incorrect. Ships, trucks and port facilities using incorrect weights in the handling and stowage of the container have been the cause or a contributing cause to numerous operational and safety incidents and accidents. BIMCO's chief marine technical officer Aron Sorensen discusses the most recent developments in what has become a major are of discussion throughout the maritime industry.

• Q&A with Hannu Oja, director of port technology, Konecranes

  Port Technology International discusses green technologies, automation, RTGs and other key issues affecting the container handling industry with Konecranes’ port technology director Hannu Oja.

• Regulating the environmental impacts of container terminal developments

  Legislation governing environmental permitting for infrastructure development projects is the norm in both developed and developing countries. The degree of assessment, transparency, public participation and discretion afforded to the approving authority varies from country to country. Hong Kong is fortunate to have in place a rigorous, transparent and pragmatic environmental permitting legislation in the form of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO). This article aims to outline the requirements of the EIAO and provide a brief overview of the key issues and potential implications on the planning, design, construction and operation of further container terminal development in Hong Kong.

• Busan: Northeast Asia’s new transhipment hub

  The Port of Busan has nearly trebled its capacity over the past decade to become the fifth busiest container port in the world, and the port’s rapid expansion and continued development is showing little sign of slowing down. Lim Ki-tack, the president of the Busan Port Authority, explains to Port Technology International how the South Korean port has fast become the hub port of Northeast Asia.

• Port development in East Asia: From efficiency enhancement to regional competitiveness

  East Asia was one of the fastest growing regions in the past decades thanks to the export-led growth strategy of various developing countries. With most of the world’s traded cargoes being carried by sea, East Asian ports had also undergone substantial transformation and development. Indeed, their direction of development was closely knitted to global and regional economies. This article provides an overview of different phases of port development in East Asia.

PTI Multimedia

• Video: CMA CGM launches the world’s largest containership - 13 Nov 2012

• Costa Concordia: Inquiry into cruise disaster begins - 18 Oct 2012

• Video: Sniffer bees - the future of cargo screening? - 15 Jun 2012

• Pollution detecting robotic fish put to the test - 23 May 2012

• Long Beach celebrates start of $1.2 billion Middle Harbor project - 16 May 2012

• Video: Port of Oakland welcomes the MSC Fabiola - the largest vessel to ever call North America - 29 Mar 2012

• We are Maersk: World’s largest shipping line releases $2 million corporate video - 20 Feb 2012

• Video: Fears of fresh New Zealand oil spill as Rena splits in half - 09 Jan 2012