DP World - Experts & Thought Leaders

As ZEPA continues to create awareness and adoption of decarbonisation solutions across the global container port industry, the alliance is pleased to welcome new leading port industry members, including Ampcontrol, Kalmar and PSA Antwerp. The group now has 14 members with the expectation that additional members will join in the coming months. Adoption of BE-CHE ZEPA has already identified significant demand within the industry for BE-CHE and encouraged the take-up Together, this extended alliance has committed to the collective action needed to speed up port decarbonisation through the affordability and adoption of Battery-Electric Container Handling Equipment (BE-CHE). ZEPA has already identified significant demand within the industry for BE-CHE and encouraged the take-up of voluntary decarbonisation standard-setting, as well as recognising power grids as critical enablers. Four workstreams focusing on critical topics ZEPA also recently launched its 2025 Work Programme at the world’s pioneering maritime conference, TOC, in Rotterdam, which saw it renew its priorities to scale BE-CHE and introduce four workstreams focusing on critical topics that enable further BE-CHE adoption: Load profile scenario explorer: Improving decision-making for fleet electrification by assessing how BE-CHE and other (future) port energy demands impact terminal load profiles and grid feasibility. Updated voluntary standards and implementation support: Driving broader adoption of the ZEPA voluntary design standards in BE-TT and BE-SC by keeping them up to date and facilitating implementation. Improved perspective on financial instruments for BE-CHE: Providing insight in potential concessional finance, subsidies, and alternative fleet financing models that could lower the upfront cost barrier to BE-CHE adoption. Transition plan toward electric fleets: Reducing implementation hurdles for BE-CHE adoption by providing a transition plan that guides stakeholders through key decisions and system challenges. Benefits of decarbonising industry Jack Craig, Head of Business Implementation Management at APM Terminals, said, “We have come a long way both as APM Terminals and with ZEPA, since we co-founded it in 2023. For APM Terminals, it is important that we keep addressing the structural barriers and collective benefits of decarbonising our industry and also work on the common language across the ecosystem on voluntary standards and frameworks." "With the new joining members, we have a strong team to move on the agenda with a tipping point for affordable and accessible electrified equipment within reach." Transition to zero-emission equipment Additionally, Tiemen Meester, Group Chief Operating Officer at DP World, shared: “I’m pleased to welcome the new members to the Zero Emission Port Alliance and look forward to working together to drive progress on our shared mission: decarbonising the container port industry. We’ve already made important strides as an alliance, but we cannot afford to lose momentum." "One of the most pressing challenges ahead is ensuring our power infrastructure keeps pace with the transition to zero-emission equipment and that will require deep collaboration across the sector.” Transition by scaling up zero-emission equipment Edward Tah, Managing Director, PSA Belgium, also highlighted, “By joining ZEPA, we reaffirm PSA Antwerp's commitment to driving port decarbonisation. As the first terminal on the European mainland to introduce a fully electric straddle carrier, we have already taken a pioneering role." "Through this alliance, we aim to accelerate the transition by scaling up zero-emission equipment in collaboration with industry pioneers worldwide. The cross value chain nature of ZEPA is crucial—it brings together terminals, OEMs, and ports to overcome challenges in standardisation and cost of investments.” Driving port decarbonisation The alliance is open to all industry partners and is run by Systemiq as an independent 3rd party Secretariat. ZEPA invites terminal operators, OEMs, and port authorities to join this important initiative. The alliance is set-up in compliance with anti-trust and competition law, monitored by external legal counsel.

Unifeeder A/S and MPC Container Ships ASA (MPC) announced a new strategic collaboration to make joint investments into Energy Efficiency Technology (EET). The partnership will see the parties unite to increase decarbonisation and efficiency in maritime transport, driving forward Unifeeder’s own target to cut its emissions by 47% by 2030 and support customers to accelerate their Scope 3 reductions. Advanced EET solutions Unifeeder and MPC will jointly invest in efficiency-enhancing retrofits with advanced EET solutions Under the agreement, Unifeeder and MPC will jointly invest in efficiency-enhancing retrofits with advanced EET solutions. The investments will be shared between the charterer, Unifeeder, and MPC.  Subsequent cost savings resulting from these energy efficiency enhancements will also be shared between the two parties, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship, lowering fuel costs for the charterer and increasing the value of the asset for the owner. A key aspect of this collaboration is the involvement of a trusted independent third party, Vessel Performance Solutions ApS (VPS), which will monitor on all the installation of technical solutions to measure the efficiency savings from the installed EET using real-time data.  Partnership with MPC Container Ships Unifeeder's Director Group Decarbonisation, Christian Hoepfner, commented, "We are excited to embark on this innovative partnership with MPC Container Ships. At Unifeeder, minimising fuel consumption and enhancing operational efficiency is a priority." Christian Hoepfner adds, "This collaboration not only aligns with our goals for decarbonisation but also sets a precedent for the industry to overcome traditional split incentive barriers. By jointly investing in a bundle of Energy Efficiency Technologies and sharing the resulting benefits, we are paving the way for a more sustainable future in maritime transport." MPC’s joint investments Unifeeder and MPC’s joint investments will focus on several solutions Unifeeder and MPC’s joint investments will focus on several solutions including the installation of variable frequency drives to adjust the outputs of high-consumption parts to suit the specific need at the specific moment and a filtration system to purify lubeoil. All together, these are expected to cut emissions by over 10%. Philipp Niesing, Managing Director at MPC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "This agreement with Unifeeder is a testament to our commitment to collaborative decarbonisation and efficiency enhancements. Investments in our existing fleet is a cornerstone of our USD 400 million fleet renewal investment program as this will immediately contribute to reducing emissions. By overcoming the traditional split incentive structure, we hope to drive positive change in the industry, and we are proud to partner with Unifeeder in this undertaking." Efficiency-enhancing modifications This new initiative joins several other Unifeeder sustainability schemes, which focus on increasing fuel efficiency, optimising vessel operations and replacing older vessels with methanol-powered ships that are due to enter operation by 2026. Unifeeder is also making a series of different efficiency-enhancing modifications and technologies in its chartered fleet of ships, including silicone coating, optimisation of power consumers, and increased use of biofuels.  Unifeeder - part of DP World’s Marine Services Division Unifeeder is part of DP World’s Marine Services Division and plays a key role in advancing DP World’s 'Our World, Our Future' sustainability strategy. Broader division-wide initiatives, of which Unifeeder plays a decisive part, include the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA) which is led in partnership with APM Terminals and is an industry-wide strategic coalition to accelerate the journey to zero emissions for container handling equipment (CHE) on ports.

A new logistics and freight yard beside Southampton Container Terminal is predicted to give a significant extra competitive edge to cargo and haulage operations in the port.  The new yard and operation has been created in a deal between Southampton Container Terminal operator - DP World and Williams Shipping, one of Southampton’s oldest and most established maritime and logistics businesses. Cargo expansion The yard is twice the size of the existing Williams Shipping yard, which is outside the port, and it is predicted that the short move and expansion of operations could at least double the amount of cargo passing through.  Jonathan Williams, Managing Director of the Cargo Division of Williams Shipping, said the cramped conditions in their previous yard restricted capacity but the expansion into the new yard had opened up several opportunities to grow and diversify cargo and haulage operations. Efficient shipping experience "We have been running cargo operations for decades, but this side of our work has grown significantly in recent years," stated Jonathan Williams. He continues, "It is a really good fit for our maritime customer base, creating a more efficient shipping experience for them, from import into the docks and on to road haulage, or the reverse for goods for export." 22-truck fleet Williams Shipping’s 22-truck fleet is a familiar sight on the country’s roads - hauling from 44 tonnes Jonathan Williams adds, "The increased capacity that this creates in port haulage operations will be a significant benefit to freight forwarding companies and shipping lines that have often been forced onto a waiting list for their chance to move their goods." Williams Shipping’s 22-truck fleet is a familiar sight on the country’s roads - hauling from 44 tonnes up to 150 tonnes gross - and seven brand new DAF trucks are being added to the fleet this year in a further significant financial investment in the business. Cargo transportation Jonathan Williams said, "We are working very closely with several freight forwarders across the country helping them to support their customers bringing cargo into Southampton from all over the world for onward delivery, or transporting it to Southampton for export." Much of the haulage work the Williams team is fulfilling is awkwardly shaped industrial goods that would not easily fit inside a shipping container. Recent examples include very heavy and wide cable reels that needed heavy haulage, a significant number of large, industrial batteries, and a Rolls Royce aircraft engine. Equipment investment Jonathan Williams adds, "Our team spends a lot of time speaking with our freight forwarding clients, so we can completely understand the technicalities or any awkward issues with the products they need to move, so we can ensure that we are geared up to handle them." He continues, "We have invested heavily in equipment in the new yard - from very high-end forklifts to reach stackers to make sure that whatever the item, we can move it." Cargo Division Jonathan Williams concludes, "Moving into this new yard alongside the Container Terminal is a significant milestone for Williams Shipping, especially our Cargo Division. We see this leading to significant growth for both us and DP World over the coming years as a direct result of this move."  The existing Williams Shipping Millbrook cargo yard will continue to be used for additional open-air and long-term equipment storage. Williams Shipping will be showing off the capabilities of its new yard at Breakbulk Europe 2024 and Multimodal 2024 in Birmingham from June 11th to 13th, 2024 - both exhibitions specific to the cargo and project cargo industries.