The Port of Rotterdam has revealed that it is aiming to improve the environmental footprint of the shipping sector through its port call optimization tool Pronto.
Following the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in 2015, which saw 195 nations commit to limiting global warming, Rotterdam has launched its own projects to drastically reduce the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions it produces.
According to a new report from Rotterdam, the port authority is collaborating with its partners to realise a carbon-neutral landscape.
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Alan Dirks, Head of Environmental Management at the Port of Rotterdam, commented on this goal: “In the case of the industrial sector, we have adopted a number of routes, including biomass, wind power and storing CO2 in the sea bed.
“We can cut our carbon emissions relatively quickly through these approaches. In addition, we are encouraging sustainable shipping in the port of Rotterdam via various incentives. And we’re working together with other parties to promote cleaner shipping.”
Pronto Software (Credit: Port of Rotterdam)
While hydrogen technology has significant potential, the sector can already achieve environmental wins by adapting existing fleets and embracing digitalization.
Rotterdam is currently developing a series of models for the calculation, analysis and optimization of greenhouse emissions within the port authority, a number of which are linked to the Pronto software application.
Sjoerd de Jager, Business Lead for Pronto at the Port of Rotterdam, discusses the Pronto solution
Rinske van der Meer, Policy Officer, has highlighted the benefits of the digital solution: “Pronto focuses on reducing waiting times for ships calling on the port. The system provides real-time insight into the available berths and handling capacity.
“If an incoming ship has to wait until a berth becomes available, it can reduce its navigation speed – effectively shortening its waiting time in the port. This cuts the volume of emissions generated during the voyage and at the berth, and saves fuel to boot.”
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Pim Verkerk, IT Developer, added: “Pronto’s CO2 module can calculate a vessel’s CO2 emissions based on its route, itinerary, the current terminal planning and its navigation speed.
“The application compares this to the vessel’s optimal speed under the existing conditions. This comparison can be used to determine potential savings per port call.”
Pronto is part of a suite of services called Port Forward, which offers digital solutions to shippers, freight forwarders and traders seeking to boost their logistics chains.
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