Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Additional Orders for Three Methanol-Fueled RORO Cargo Ships

Contract Signing Ceremony
(From left: Mr. Eiji Takeichi, President, Toyofuji Shipping
Mr. Shoichiro Miyazaki, President, Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun
Mr. Kiminori Hiura, President, Nichitoku Kisen
Mr. Shin Ueda, President & CEO, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding)

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received additional orders for three methanol-fueled roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ships(Note1) from Toyofuji Shipping Co., Ltd. (Aichi Prefecture), Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun Co., Ltd. (Oita Prefecture), and Nichitoku Kisen Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima Prefecture). The three ships will be built at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with scheduled completion and delivery in order from fiscal 2028.

The ships will be approximately 168.0 meters in overall length and 30.2 meters in breadth, with 15,750 gross tonnage, and loading capacity for around 2,300 passenger vehicles.

A windscreen at the bow and a vertical stem are used to reduce propulsion resistance, while fuel efficiency is improved by employing MHI's proprietary energy-saving system technology combining high-efficiency propellers and high-performance rudders with reduced resistance. The main engine is a high-performance dual-fuel engine that can use both methanol and A heavy fuel oil, expected to reduce CO₂ emissions per transport unit by more than 20% compared to ships currently operated by heavy fuel oil and owned by Toyofuji Shipping, contributing to a reduced environmental impact. In the future, the use of green methanol(Note2) may lead to further reduction in CO₂ emissions, including throughout the lifecycle of the fuel. Methanol-fueled RORO ships have already been entered service as ocean-going vessels around the world. This is MHI's second order for construction of coastal RORO vessels for service in Japan, following an order for two methanol-fueled RORO vessels placed with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding in June 2024.

In addition, the significant increase in vehicle loading capacity and transport capacity per voyage compared to conventional vessels will provide greater leeway in the ship allocation schedule, securing more holiday and rest time for the crew, thereby contributing to working style reforms.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, to address the growing needs from the modal shift in marine transport against the backdrop of CO₂ reductions in land transportation, labor shortages, and working style reforms, will continue to work with its business partners to provide solutions for a range of societal issues by building ferries and RORO vessels with excellent fuel efficiency and environmental performance that contribute to stable navigation for customers.

Source: https://www.mhi.com/news/25032104.html

Child devotee of Lord Murugan Walking barefoot

Palani Temple Barefoot Walking by devotees

MoS Shipping Shantanu Thakur Reviews Various Projects at JNPA, Interacts With Stakeholders

Mumbai, January 29, 2025: Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Government of India, visited Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority - India’s Best Performing Port, on 29 January, 2025.  He was welcomed by Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, JNPA & CMD, VPPL.

Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, JNPA and CMD, VPPL, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the progress of Vadhvan Port. He highlighted that the project is advancing ahead of schedule, underscoring the port’s strategic importance in enhancing India’s maritime trade capabilities. The Minister also felicitated Shri Govind Bodke, IAS, District Collector, Palghar, and Shri Balasaheb Patil, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Palghar, for their instrumental contributions in facilitating environmental clearances, conducting public hearings, and laying the foundation stone for VPPL.

It was followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and Vadhvan Port Project Limited. Under this collaboration, the university will design and conduct essential skill-based programs tailored to the operational requirements of Vadhvan Port. The initiative will focus on developing training modules and creating employment opportunities for skilled students, thereby generating a future-ready workforce for the maritime sector. An agreement was also signed between VPPL and M/s ITD Cementation India Ltd. for the construction of Near Shore Reclamation and Shore Protection for the Greenfield Vadhvan Port.

He addressed a stakeholders’ meeting, where he engaged with port users and trade representatives to understand their perspectives and discuss strategic initiatives to address the evolving needs of India’s maritime sector and facilitate smoother trade operations.

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, said, “Ports are the gateways to a nation's economic growth, and JNPA is an example of India's maritime potential. Here I witnessed how infrastructure development and operational advancements are driving progress. Interactions with stakeholders highlighted important insights on the trade's evolving needs and expectations. With strategic projects like Vadhvan Port on the horizon, we are paving the way for enhanced trade capacity and global competitiveness. The government remains dedicated to creating policies and infrastructure that empower the maritime industry, streamline logistics, and bolster India's standing as a major player in global trade.”

Additionally, during his visit, Shri Shantanu Thakur performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Construction of the Entrance Gate Building & Development of its Surrounding Area at the Landing jetty in JN Port. The building will include a recreational space for sunset views against the Mumbai skyline, an iconic landmark near the jetty, and increased seating with functional cafeterias. VVIP lounging areas, improved vehicular access, space for security personnel, and an information desk further enhance passenger comfort and site management.

He also visited GTI, one of the most efficient container terminals at JNPA, where he was briefed on terminal operations by the CEO of GTI. The Minister’s tour included key infrastructure and operational facilities at JNPA, such as the Centralised Parking Plaza (CPP), JNPA SEZ, and the Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) at SEZ.

About JNPA:

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is one of the premier container-handling ports in India. Since its inception on May 26, 1989, JNPA has transformed from a bulk cargo terminal into the premier container port in the country.

Currently, JNPA operates five container terminals - NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT and APMT. The Port also has a Shallow Water Berth for general cargo. A Liquid Cargo Terminal present at the JNPA Port is managed by the BPCL-IOCL consortium. Additionally, the newly constructed coastal berth links other Indian ports and facilitates enhancing the traffic of coastal containers.

Nestled across 277 hectares of land, JNPA also operates a meticulously designed multi-product SEZ, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, to boost export-oriented industries in India.

JNPA is also developing an all-weather, deep-draft, greenfield port at Vadhvan, in Maharashtra. It is poised to be among the top 10 ports globally and will be 100% green port since its inception.

Ocean Network Express Welcomes The ONE Responsibility to West Africa

On 23 of January 2025, Ocean Network Express (ONE) celebrated a historic milestone with the arrival of their first magenta ONE vessel, ONE Responsibility, in West Africa. This call at Meridian Port Services (MPS), Tema, marks a significant development for both Ghana’s trade services as well as ONE’s growing connections in  West Africa and globally. 

The 2024-built, Hong Kong flagged ONE Responsibility, is fitted with wind deflecting bow shields to improve aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption, Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) or “scrubbers” and several other energy saving technologies. The 7,000 TEU vessel made its way from Singapore, to Tema, where it will then join the fleet supporting ONE's growing suite of services connecting Europe and Africa, such as the SRX. where it will then join the fleet of Europe and Africa’s growing services such as the SRX. 

This is the first call of ONE’s magenta vessels in West Africa, and future vessels will be introduced onto the SW2 service. The SW2 is a weekly service connecting West Africa with China and the Far East. ONE also operates services including WA1, AIM, and ARS, connecting West Africa to Europe, the Middle East and Asia;  while providing our customers the best transit time from Durban to the Middle East for perishable fresh fruits. 

Director of ONE Ghana, Richard Smith, commented “The maiden call of the ONE Responsibility at MPS is a very significant event.  This is the very first ONE-operated Magenta container vessel to call at any West African port.  It signifies the commitment of ONE to Ghana and to all our customers in West Africa. It is no coincidence that we chose Tema for the first call, given ONE's long standing relationship with Ghana, the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority and with MPS.”

He added, “ONE is currently going through a major upgrade of our services from Asia to West Africa, with increased capacity to carry our customers' cargo to and from this important market.  So, we will be seeing many more Magenta vessels arriving here, but this is the first  - a major milestone in the history of our company in Ghana.”

V.O.Chidambaranar Port Excels in Container Handling

 

V.O. Chidambaranar Port has showcased exemplary performance in containerized cargo operations, handling 5,81,557 TEUs in the current financial year up to December 2024, representing a growth of 7%, compared to the 5,43,531 TEUs handled during the same period in the previous year. Over the last decade, the Port's container handling has seen a steady rise, increasing from 5,07,735 TEUs in 2013–14 to 7,47,363 TEUs in 2023–24, reflecting its commitment to operational efficiency and capacity enhancement.

VOC Port has maintained its position as the top performer among major ports, with an exceptional Average Container Turnaround Time of 19.92 hours up to December 2024 in the ongoing financial year. The Port has also ranked first in both the financial years 2022–23 and 2023–24, reinforcing its leadership in container handling efficiency. In addition, the terminals offer 30 container moves / hour at par with global standards.

With a combined capacity of 1.6 Million TEUs per annum, the container terminals at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin International Container Terminal, Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminals, and PSA SICAL Container Terminal cater to growing demand. The Port is also supported by 2 Inland Container Depots and 15 Container Freight Stations in the vicinity, ensuring smooth container flow to and from the Port.

The terminals of the Port operates eight sailings to Colombo every week. Additionally, it offers sailing to Mundra, Pipavav, Cochin, Jebal Ali, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, China and far east countries, strengthening its international trade connectivity.

The all-weather Port, located close to the international sea-route, operating 24x7, ensures seamless container handling with the support of congestion-free road & rail connectivity, seamless gate entry. The Port prioritizes time-sensitive cargo, ensuring prompt processing & delivery, and facilitates last-minute container connections before vessel sailing. With its ease of doing business initiatives, the IGST refunds are processed immediately on filing of IGST returns by the exporters.

With the thrust given by Government of India to become a 5 trillion economy, emerging global geo-political scenario and upcoming developments in the primary and secondary hinterland of Tuticorin like Green Hydrogen hub and other port based industries at VOC Port lands, Offshore Wind Energy hub along the coastal region of Tamilnadu, industries all along the proposed Chennai Kanyakumari Industrial corridor, Solar Power farms in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram districts, Furniture park and Vietnam based EV car maker ‘Vinfast’, in SIPCOT Tuticorin, VOC Port is set to witness a massive growth in container traffic to a tune of  around 4 to 5 Million TEUs of containers in a span of 3 to 5 years from now.

To meet the exponential growth of container traffic the Port has proposed to develop and Outer Harbour, for which the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has laid the foundation stone. The Outer Harbour shall feature with two terminals with quay length of 1 Km each, draft of 16.5 metres, with a capacity to handle 4 Million TEUs of container traffic. The tender has been floated and the Port has received encouraging support and interest from both the global and national players. The tender is expected to close on 11th February 2025. Once completed, the project will significantly enhance the port’s capacity, enabling it to handle ships with larger drafts and improve the port’s container handling efficiency. 

Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of VOC Port Authority, stated that VOC Port holds immense potential to become a leading hub for gateway and transhipment container traffic in the East coast of India. With its strategic location, evolving infrastructure development and collective commitment, we are poised to seize new opportunities in global trade.

FIEO and Credlix Sign MoU to Empower Indian Exporters with Financial and Logistical Support

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has partnered with Credlix, a global leader in supply chain financing solutions, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the growth of Indian exporters and strengthen their global presence. This collaboration focuses on streamlining international trade by providing exporters with innovative financial solutions, logistical support, and other critical resources. By combining FIEO’s extensive network with Credlix’s expertise in financial services, the partnership aims to address key challenges faced by exporters. Initiatives include workshops, trainings, financing advisory and technological support to raise awareness — a solution that helps businesses scale their operations effectively. Mr Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO, Credlix, stated, “We are proud to collaborate with FIEO to empower Indian exporters on their path to growth and self-reliance. This partnership shows our shared commitment to overcoming key trade challenges. Through innovative financial and logistical support, we aim to simplify export operations and help businesses establish a strong presence in global markets.” The partnership includes technological and logistical solutions from Credlix, such as warehousing and supply chain management, to address exporters’ operational hurdles. FIEO will actively promote the initiative, encourage exporter participation, and guide businesses in navigating complex global markets. Dr Ajay Sahai, Director General & CEO, FIEO, remarked, “This collaboration with Credlix marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s vision of self-reliance and strengthening its export sector. By providing SMEs with financial and logistical resources, we aim to help them overcome barriers, enhance operational efficiency, and capitalize on opportunities in international trade.” Dr Sahai further highlighted the liquidity gap and lack of credit flow in the Indian economy, which has posed persistent challenges for exporters. “Export finance remains a critical issue for various segments, particularly for MSMEs, which are the backbone of India’s export ecosystem,” he noted. The MSME sector contributed 45.73% of India’s exports in 2023-24, yet it continues to struggle with limited access to export finance. With 35,000 members, primarily from the MSME segment, FIEO sees this MoU as a pivotal step in addressing these challenges and unlocking growth opportunities for exporters. This alliance is set to simplify export operations, enhance business capabilities, and accelerate the growth of Indian exporters, contributing to India’s economic progress and reinforcing its position in global trade. About Credlix Credlix is a global leader in supply chain financing, dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to SMEs worldwide. Focused on delivering rapid, collateral-free access to working capital, Credlix helps businesses optimize cash flow and achieve their growth potential. About Moglix Moglix is one of Asia’s largest B2B commerce companies, empowering manufacturing and infrastructure businesses to transform their supply chains from procurement to distribution. As the first B2B commerce unicorn in manufacturing, Moglix supports over 1,000 large manufacturers and 3,000+ factories with a valuation of $2.6 billion. About FIEO The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is an apex trade promotion body set up by Ministry of Commerce & Industries in 1965 with its members contributing around 70% of India’s exports. With 16 offices on PAN India basis, FIEO works to support and promote India’s export fraternity by providing valuable resources, market access, policy advocacy and networking opportunities for businesses.