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Development of train capacity utilization concept for the Clusters 2.0 Horizon 2020 project which will affect the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor

Wilhelm Borchert was tasked to advise and support Trelleborg port in their Clusters 2.0 Horizon 2020 project. The goal was to find an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) system which would allow them to increase the rail freight/ intermodal transport share by train and better utilize the existing train tracks/ paths and train capacities at the port. The project intends to connect different stakeholders within the transport industry through the use of a common ICT tool.

The support Wilhelm Borchert offered to the project started with the review of the EU projects which had similarities to the goals. The projects that were researched included Horizon 2020 projects, TEN-T and CEF-T projects. Wilhelm Borchert also researched how the airline industry coordinates its booking systems as a best practice example. The relevant European Railway information technology legislation and framework was also studied to see how it would affect the project or govern a new direction for the project.

Wilhelm Borchert supported in the fulfilment of the project’s obligations such as deliverables needed as part of the wider Clusters 2.0 project and at the same time helped to conceptualize how they should approach the development of their ICT train capacity booking system.

This project is of considerable importance since train freight transport is an environmentally friendly way of transporting freight over long distances. The project would therefore support the efforts to reach the requirements set by the Paris Agreement and the Swedish government defined long-term target of 70% reduction in Green House Gas emissions.

It is expected that this project will have a strong impact of stakeholder within Finland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

Application and implementation of a plan approval procedure for a combined transport terminal in the seaport of Lübeck

With the help of Wilhelm Borchert, the Hans Lehmann KG was awarded with 1 million euros in funding for the implementation of the planning measures including the realisation of a plan approval procedure for the construction of an intermodal freight terminal. The project should be implemented by December 2022. The projects thematic focus is, among other things, on the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment. The results from the study will pave the way for a shift to more sustainable transport flows, such as rail.

The Wilhelm Borchert GmbH was in charge of the application and is now, after the successful application, responsible for the project management.

Support of autonomous and electric tractors for hinterland traffic in Sweden

DFDS Logistics AB and Volvo Trucks are working together to automate hinterland transport by self-propelled electric tractors operating between Volvo’s factory premises and the port of Gothenburg. At the same time, the project is preparing the automation of terminal processes and loading and unloading of RoRo ferries. With the support of Wilhelm Borchert, the companies were able to raise almost 4 million euros for the project from the European Commission for the implementation of the developed vehicles. The project “Smart, Electronic and Autonomous Multimodal Transportation System and Port Operations” is funded via the CEF-T-2018 MAP Transport call.

For the project consortium Wilhelm Borchert has created the application for funding and is currently supporting the consortium in the implementation of the project and compliance with all funding-relevant tasks.

Successful support of a European funded project for the provision of LNG as a maritime fuel

In order to establish liquified natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel in the European maritime sector an experienced project consortium of a French LNG terminal operator, two shipping companies and a mineral oil company have come together to achieve this goal.

In the framework of this project the project partners want to build the necessary scaled-up port-side infrastructure and put a bunker barge into operation to cover the LNG demand for Ultra Large Container Vessels on their round trip from Europe to the Far East. In addition, all LNG relevant procedures and safety regulations for the execution of bunkering operations of LNG during the loading and unloading operations will be developed.

Wilhelm Borchert has raised EUR 11 million in funding for investments and activities from the European Union for the implementation of this project. The project will be funded under the 2017 CEF Transport Blending multiannual program call.

For the project consortium Wilhelm Borchert has created the application for funding and is currently supporting the consortium in the implementation of the project and compliance with all funding-relevant tasks.

UPDATE: April 30th, 2021 – the world’s largest LNG bunker vessel GAS AGILITY, owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) & chartered by Total Marine Fuels Global Solution (Total), realised the first ship-to-containership Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation in France when refueling the world’s largest containership CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE powered by LNG. The LNG originated from the LNG terminal, modified for small-scale operations, at the Port of Dunkerque. It also marked the terminal’s first loading of a small-scale LNG vessel.

With the successful loading and following LNG bunkering operation the project consortium, constituted of MOL, CMA CGM, Total and Dunkerque LNG SAS, achieved two major milestones for the CEF-T Blending Action’s implementation.

Congratulations to the consortium & achievements!