CONNECTAINER – The Green Dawn of Container Shipping
Let’s take a step back and reflect. It was not long ago that the world was discussing that ‘Climate change can become a threat to the planet’ and today, not even a decade has passed by and the talks have turned into – ‘Climate change is real’.
In the words of Chief of the United Nations – “Our World needs climate action on all fronts – everything, everywhere, all at once”. It was a clarion call and the ripples are being felt around the world – and one is called Connectainer.
Connectainer – an amalgamation of intent and technology. Intent to reduce the carbon footprints & technology that enunciates efficiency-enhancement in shipping Industry.
CONNECTAINER or semantically speaking connected containers is a modular 20’ container which can be connected to other 20’ unit to form a 40’HC standard container and vice-versa.
This engineering marvel makes the containers adapt its size to the needs of a consumer/customer without any waiting time for empty repositions.
Reports state that 24 per cent of worldwide container transportations are empty units. In total they account for 94.5 million TEU and 57 million containers transported which leads to incurring of114 million empty container Terminal Handling Charges (THC) per year.
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In addition to this, considering that the GHG emissions related to each THC is 10Kg, we are looking at emissions amounting to an astonishing 140.000 Tons of CO2.
The imbalance between sizes of the imported containers and those exported, occurs quite frequently leading to losses – both economical & environmental. CONNECTAINER’s innovative modular containers save both. It has been estimated that near 14 million THC can be saved worldwide (15% of total empty movement) simply by switching to the modular containers.
WHAT is CONNECTAINER?
As stated above CONNECTAINER is a modular 20’ container which can be connected to other 20’ unit to form a 40’HC standard container and vice-versa.
These units have been built to withstand the toughest CSC certification tests. They have already been certified as “Heavy Units” that are able to carry a gross weight of 32.5 tonnes.
For that, the units were loaded with double of it designed work maximum gross weight (65 tonnes), and carry out racking, torsion, compression and cargo displacement tests as well as the waterproof test.
Specifics of CONNECTAINER
IS STANDARD -Identical internal and external dimensions, it is super heavy tested (32.5 MT GW) and CSC certified.
Coupling and decoupling– Innovative mechanical and electronic engineering design allows 2 operators do the job in 1h15m (average). Each coupling or decoupling will save six empty container THC. Three at the current port (2x20’+ 1x40’) and 3 more at origin and destination.
Based in simulation over the container volume moved in the Spanish ports of Barcelona, Valencia and Algeciras Bay, the expected net saving for the shipping industry considering empty container handling only is 1.3 Billion € per year.
No Batteries Needed - The resistant e-ink display technology just need electric power for few seconds at Depot when coupling and decoupling. Serial numbers are visible for years (no power source is needed).
UNIQUE Number – An amazing feature for best adherence to the worldwide customs regulations, as units will always have a unique and unrepeatable number. Container serial number is always displayed over the e-ink screen without any power supply source.
When 2x20’HC work as a 40’HC, just one serial number is shown.
CONNECTAINER clearly paves a way to reduce nearly 50% of the empty units that are loaded and unloaded from ships at gateway ports. These are the units with more pressure overschedule reliability.
Switching to CONNECTAINER will result in shorter vessel operations which will mean less port stay and more sailing time at an eco-speed. It will enable less emission at ports and at sea and better schedule reliability.
Cherry on the cake is the fact that EU and IMO understand this invention is in line with ETS program and that it saves emission not only to the operator who do the initial investment but to other stakeholders of the logistics supply chain.
It is a win-win for all parties involved as modular containers always sail full, 8 CONNECTAINERS will move same cargo as 9 standard containers which means – less assets, less maintenance, less storage and less cost. In addition to this the new units will decongest depots and ports.
As Dr Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate said: “We need to reverse emissions while moving economies forward, enable an inclusive and just transition that leaves no one behind. That’s why we are determined to make Cop28 a Cop for All, and a Cop of Action.”
CONNECTAINER is an honest effort in this direction. It takes into account all aspects of container transportation in line with the ‘Cradle to Grave’ concept of analysis and has successfully given solutions to the glitches, not only does it provide solutions, it promises a better, greener and economical future for shipping industry.
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