The Port of Salalah in Oman has announced it is piloting an innovative solution to tackle freshwater scarcity together with A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk).
Both parties explained that traditionally, this technology has been used only to manufacture water for onboard use. However, by improving the process and storing extra water in tank containers before delivering to ports, this underutilised resource has been capitalised on.
With the procedure streamlined and tank containers kept in the proper aboard position, two tank containers with a total capacity of 50,000 litres may be filled with fresh water during a typical sea cruise between two ports.
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study undertaken by the Danish Technical University revealed useful information about the project’s environmental effect, comparing it positively to traditional tanker truck water distribution techniques.
READ: Port of Salalah enables sea-air logistics operations
According to APM Terminals (APMT), fresh water created and transported through this initiative may be utilised at the port for a variety of purposes, including basic sanitation, cleaning, and upkeep of offices, warehouses, and bathrooms. It may also be used to clean vessels and containers.
Additionally, the water can be delivered to the hinterland for use by communities experiencing water scarcity.
Salalah Port CEO, Keld M Christensen, said: “While committed to decarbonising operations at Salalah by 2040, we also recognise that sustainability is not only about decarbonising supply chains but also protecting our environment and its finite resources.
“With thousands of vessel calls each year at the Port of Salalah, this pilot opens the door for many more vessels to replicate this system and create an incredibly large supply of fresh water not only here in Jordan, but across the world, wherever it’s needed.”
