The future of supply chains – changes in shipping
The continued search for alternative energy sources to fuel the supply chain has extended to the sea. With rising pressures on going green and curbing carbon dioxide emissions, ships are now looking to solar power as an alternative to old fashioned fossil fuels. Due to this, the future of the shipping industry could change dramatically. Not only could the physical look of ships as we know them be altered but also the process in which they operate could be very different. With solar panels already being installed on ships in Japan, these “solar sails” not only absorb energy from the sun to fuel itself but also double as sails for the ship. The possibility of advanced sail power for container ships is being considered for new container shipping power of the future and may be exporting and importing products between countries as early as 2013. This greener energy alternative would mean lower costs for transportation of products between countries as well as a less harmful effect on the environment than current shipping practices. Closer to home, Improving Wood Transport and Logistics is the theme for Australasia’s ForestTECH 2012 series that runs in both countries in late November/early December. In shipping, for New Zealand, presentations are being given on options for moving from JAS to 3D scaling, a recent case study looks at how a port company together with forestry, transport and logistics companies have addressed transport and log handling constraints in the lower North Island and an update on new innovations designed to improve efficiencies at NZ Ports will be given as part of the programme. Full details on this event for local forestry and wood products companies can be found on www.foresttechevents.com Logistics and Materials Handling Blog | |||
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