Issue 21

HOT SEAT: 

Interview with Interview with Johan-Paul Verschuure, Director of Rebel Ports and Logistics

• • Your company has been following very closely the impact of the Red Sea crisis in Mediterranean ports. Can you please give us a brief outlook how has this impact evolved during the first trimester of the year (2025)?

Passages through the Suez remain risky and liners keep rerouting significant volumes around South Africa. The networks are increasingly adjusted to the rerouting as a base case. As such, the situation did not become easier. However, with somewhat cooling demand, the situation in the Mediterranean ports remain challenging but with a bit more breathing space across the board. Disruptions and ripples in global container logistics balanced system, may cause additional challenges in ports, even though the demand outlook is somewhat darkening.

• • The unfolding trade war could have a significant effect in maritime freight volumes and flows. What major changes do you expect to happen in the next couple of years?

The question will be how much logistic disruptions will be witnessed in the next few months following the sharp decline in trade between Asia and the US. Blank sailing are reported to increase drastically, which will cause disruptions in the flow of full and also empty containers. This will be mainly focused on the Asia-US tradelane mostly but is likely to spill over to other trades and therefore ports.

It is very difficult to forecast if flows of commodities with high levies will just dry up, will be shifting to other trading partners, or replaced by more domestic production in the US (and on what time scale). It will then also be equally challenging to balance the logistic system where the containers will be coming from or need to go to. Logistic shocks may make the situation in the Med ports more challenging again in the next several months.

Secondly if the additional penalties on Chinese built vessels will stay effective, shipping lines will try to optimize their networks. Routings may shift to Canadian and Mexican ports, it can result in more transshipment in the Caribbean, or new entities may be setup or step in to minimize penalties.

• • Container shipping lines expect 2025 to be also a very profitable year. After the acquisition of Hutchison by Blackrock and TIL (MSC), do you expect any new major operation this year coming from the shipping lines? 

It will be interesting to follow in what form the acquisition of Hutchison may and can take place at all. Naturally the Chinese concerns will need to be effectively managed, but the transaction will result in a situation that some liners calling at multi-user facilities currently managed by Hutchison, which in the future will be managed by a competing and world’s largest shipping line. In some places MSC/TiL will be managing neighboring facilities even. Strategic reactions are likely in some locations.

• • What do you think about the future potential of the Arctic route? 

Naturally the shorter distance on some port-to-port connections can lead to shorter transit times and lower costs, which some liners hope to exploit. We should not let that happen. In 2019 CMA CGM pledged to not use this route. Hopefully all liners join when it would become more feasible.

If not, a lack of intermediate port call between (North) Far East Asia and Europe makes it a very focused port-to-port call, which makes utilisation of the vessel more challenging. And naturally challenges remain in the seasonality of the passage and that no service can be planned throughout the entire year. Hopefully climate initiatives and our actions result in that the temperature development will ensure the passage closes up the entire year very soon again. In that case we should not be worried about the large environmental impact large container vessels will have when sailing in that region..or even the nightmare of an accident.

Get caught up on all the latest happening with MEDPorts Newsletter – MED Mosaic

If you are not subscribed, subscribe here to MED Mosaic to delve into these critical topics and bring you the latest updates, projects and challenges from the MED Sea world.

The MEDPorts Challenge second edition was held on the 27^th March 2025. More than 100 participants took place in the contest this year, representing ports and training institutes all over the region.

This year’s contest focused on port operations. The participants (under 30 years of age) had to answer around 30 questions concerning the maneuvering of vessels in ports, the role of the different actors involved in port operations (tugboats, mooring, stevedores, pilot master, etc.) and environmental protection.

The winners

🥇 1st Place. Maria soler de dios, Fundación Valenciaport
🥈 2nd Place. Muhammad Fawad Chohan Kousar, Institut Carles Vallbona
🥉 3rd Place. Lorena Baños Carrión, Fundación Valenciaport

Congratulations to all participants and we look forward to welcoming the winners in Tangier for the MEDPorts Forum 2025! 🚀⚓

Issue 20

HOT SEAT: 

Interview with Interview with Mr. Jens Meier, Hamburg Port Authority CEO and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)

Charting the Course: IAPH President Jens Meier on AI, Energy & Geopolitics

• • What are your views on the impact on ports of the unfolding trade war?

First, it is important to recognize that ports make an important contribution to security of supply. At the Port of Hamburg, we are responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of the supply chain and therefore for the transportation of vital goods such as food, pharmaceuticals, raw materials and all other important goods to the German hinterland.

For example, in Germany, as in many other countries, we face the complex challenge of not only securing the energy supply but also making it as green sustainable as possible. In Hamburg, we have launched the Sustainable Energy Hub to position ourselves clearly in this area. This means that companies working in the field of sustainable energy sources are prioritised to use our sites.

Hence, the Port of Hamburg has reserved a specific area in the port to be a pioneer in the transition to green molecules based on green hydrogen. Our declared aim is to develop a multi-energy import infrastructure as well as modern fueling infrastructure for different modes of transports to reduce complexity and enable de-fossilisation.

• • How do you see the Mediterranean from a global ports perspective?

The Mediterranean ports play a central role in connecting the African region with Europe. Tanger Med, for example, which is not only the largest container port in the Mediterranean, but also in Africa, is an essential part of the entire ecosystem of the western Mediterranean and the Strait of Gibraltar. This central role is also reflected in the active involvement of Mediterranean ports in significant port networks. On the one hand, there are the many Mediterranean member ports of the IAPH from Spain, France, Italy and many other countries. On the other hand, this is reflected, for example, in the support of the Port of Barcelona in our chainport initiative, which aims to reduce fragmentation and increase interconnectivity between ports.

Speaking of the Port of Barcelona, with cruise tourism booming, Barcelona is a key player in this sector as the leading cruise port in Europe and the Mediterranean. With 3.1 million cruise passengers a year, Barcelona is a pioneer in the industry in terms of security and terminals.

• • Do you think that AI will change the port sector or is it just one of many other recent innovation? 

AI is certainly not the only innovation that is keeping us on our toes and will continue to do so in the future. However, for us in the port sector, it is an innovation that, if used correctly, can benefit us in several areas.

In the area of intelligent infrastructure, we use flying drones and autonomous surface vehicles. We also use robotics to inspect structures, such as the robot dog “Spot”, which is equipped with sensors and a high-resolution camera to inspect infrastructure objects in our port. All the data we collect can then be analysed in real time using AI features such as computer vision to help predict and maintain port facilities.

In addition, there is immense potential for AI applications for energy transformation in the port sector. Ports are very complex energy users. By integrating AI, we can monitor, analyse and optimise energy consumption across the port in real time. AI can also be used to analyse and improve mobility flows to avoid unnecessary emissions caused by avoidable stop-and-go traffic.

I think that AI and robots will be used everywhere in the port in the future: but they will not replace people, they will support them. Metaphorically speaking: just as we use a hammer or a smartphone today, we will use robots in the future – just as normal.

• • Which are your main objectives during your mandate as IAPH President? 

I took over the presidency at the end of 2023 and since then I have been working on three key themes: geopolitical resilience, decarbonisation and digitalisation. In particular, my presidency focuses on promoting cooperation and synergies among our associate members and strengthening transparent leadership within the organization.

This applies to all three pillars. We are currently experiencing strong geopolitical tensions that are affecting global trade routes and port activities. The need for dialogue and the strengthening of port resilience is more important than ever before. On decarbonisation, during my mandate I work to accelerate the use of sustainable energy sources in the port industry. After all, I want to work with all stakeholders to optimise processes through digitalisation. Initiatives such as autonomous trucks or robotic maintenance of port infrastructure are at the heart of this vision.

….. and we are back

with the 2025 MEDPorts Challenge…..

Calling all young maritime & logistics minds

Think you know ports and maritime logistics? It’s time to prove it! The MEDPorts Challenge is back for its second edition, bringing together young professionals and students from the MEDPorts community to compete in an exciting, fast-paced Kahoot! challenge.

Next Steps: How to Join the Challenge

Register

Get ready

Compete on March 27th!

Ready to challenge yourself?

Let’s see who will take the crown in 2025! ⚓💡

For full terms and conditions of the contest, download the document 👉  here

Issue 18

HOT SEAT: 

Interview with Prof. Alaa Morsy, Dean of Port Training Institute, AASTMT, and Prof. Akram Elselmy, Dean of College of Engineering & Technology, AASTMT

MARLOG-14 Ends with Expectations of An Early Return to Normality on the Red Sea 

• • The 14th Edition of MARLOG finished this week. Can you tell us the main finding/outcomes of the conference? 

MARLOG-14 titled, Artificial Intelligence Implementations, Towards Shaping the Future of the Digital World, is centered heavily on the integration and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various facets of the maritime and logistics sectors, with a strong focus on shaping the future of the digital world. Key outcomes highlight the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence within the maritime and logistics sectors. It emphasized the need for comprehensive AI integration across various operations, including predictive maintenance, security, and supply chain management. Key outcomes focused on leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency through real-time decision-making and digital twin technologies. Furthermore, the conference advocated for AI-driven solutions to bolster security through threat detection and infrastructure monitoring, while also optimizing logistics through blockchain and IoT integration.

Beyond operational improvements, MARLOG14 stressed the importance of AI in driving sustainability and innovation. Recommendations included utilizing AI for intelligent port management, promoting autonomous maritime systems, and prioritizing ethical AI adoption. The conference recognized the necessity for workforce development through AI training and research collaboration, alongside the establishment of standardized regulatory frameworks to ensure scalable and safe AI implementation. Ultimately, MARLOG14 positioned AI as a crucial engine for efficiency, sustainability, security, and overall innovation within the maritime industry.

• • I guess you will start working on MARLOG 15 very soon. Do you have any idea in mind on the main topic of next year’s conference already?

Basically, MARLOG15, scheduled from 8th to 10th of February 2026, is about making shipping and moving goods around the world better and more eco-friendly. The conference will center on the development of sustainable logistics infrastructure as a key driver of global economic competitiveness. The conference will introduce the creation of efficient, environmentally sound, and economically viable logistics corridors, emphasizing “Green Blue Logistic Corridors” and zero-emission innovations. Discussions will cover the integration of advanced technologies like automation and digitalization, alongside the analysis of economic impacts from infrastructure investments and supply chain optimization. Furthermore, the conference will address critical aspects of resilience, risk management, and the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship within the logistics sector.

Beyond technological and economic considerations, MARLOG15 will focus on enhancing global trade and connectivity through the analysis of trade trends, standardization of multimodal transport, and modernization of trade facilitation. Crucially, the conference will also prioritize workforce development, ensuring that the necessary skills and capacities are built to support the evolving logistics landscape. By bringing together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, MARLOG15 aims to formulate strategies for building and maintaining robust, sustainable logistics corridors that foster economic growth and strengthen global interconnectedness.

• • The Port Training Institute that you chair is based in Alexandria, Egypt. Your country is now in the midst of a disrupted region. Do you expect container vessels to return to the Red Sea and Suez Canal soon? 

The return of ship traffic across the Red Sea and Suez Canal after the end of the crisis needs at least 4 to 6 months because shipping lines implement long-term advance shipping plans not only to transport goods but to achieve precise synchronization throughout the supply chain.

This trend is reinforced by the anticipated gradual return of navigation, starting Q2 2025, with expectations of reaching peak levels by year-end. It’s essential to reaffirm that economic cooperation and trade exchange are crucial drivers in mitigating geopolitical crises, particularly in the Middle East and the Suez Canal region, which offers vast investment and trade opportunities. Prioritizing economic interests over conflicts is vital, especially considering that over 20% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal, making international interest paramount.

Current indicators suggest a resumption of navigation through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Several factors confirm a decline in geostrategic crises, including mega development projects in ports and logistics across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Djibouti.

These projects aim to upgrade infrastructure for new-generation ships, create economic zones, and implement green initiatives. It’s unlikely that foreign investors would support these projects without expecting a stable and secure environment.

• • Diving into PTI’s work. Can you tell us which are the training courses currently most demanded in the industry? 

The most important programs most in need are those related to digital transformation, management and operation strategies, as well as many programs related to governance. Demand has recently increased for green economy programs and carbon border adjustment mechanism in addition to project management for mega infrastructure projects in ports and economic zones.

Port Training Institute’s training strategy focuses on meeting labor market needs while integrating international expertise and best practices. We aim to develop a strategy that aligns global standards with regional needs in the ports and logistics sector.

Check our Mediterranean Ports and Logistics Association Spotlight in the EME Outlook Magazine ISSUE 63