NEWS\\\


Montreal Port Authority uses AI to improve trucking flow, reduce GHG emissions


The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has launched an upgrade


of the Trucking


PORTal application, which now includes predictive data on processing times at the Port of Montreal’s various container terminals. This new tool helps port truck drivers plan their routes better and improves traffic flow on Port territory, thereby reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The MPA teamed up with


Element AI, a global supplier of


artificial intelligence (AI)


products, to develop, test and deploy this enhanced


technological solution, which consists of a predictive model added to the Trucking PORTal app.


The new predictive dashboard shows average processing times at the various terminals for each 30-minute period over the next 24 hours. Quick Views are also available for the next three hours. This data is in addition to the real-time wait times on the terminals, information that has been available on the app since its launch in 2016. Predictive data is made available by reading access


cards using mainly RFID (Radio Frequency


Identification)


technology. These measures taken at four strategic locations on Port territory make it possible to collect data indicating current transaction times. The use and analysis of the results through


AI algorithms then


make it possible to model the predictive data. The resulting data then helps truck drivers better plan their trips to the Port. This


new solution will


have a positive impact on the drivers, dispatchers, trucking companies and container terminal operators. The


neighboring community will also benefit from the reduction in GHG emissions due to better traffic flow on Port territory. “At the Port of Montreal, we


put innovation at the heart of our strategies to ensure a smoother flow of goods and maintain our competitiveness. The new predictive model of the Trucking PORTal app lets us help our Port partners improve operational efficiency and, at the same time, lighten our ecological footprint for a more and more sustainable port,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the MPA.


Emirates SkyCargo strengthens pharma corridors initiative


With over 75,000 tonnes of pharmaceuticals flown across the world during the Financial Year 2018/19, Emirates SkyCargo is one of the leading international players in the air transportation of pharmaceuticals. Over the years, the freight division of Emirates has strengthened its capabilities to transport temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals from origin to destination. The air cargo carrier


has


important continues


marked


milestones to


three as


it enhance its


offerings to pharmaceutical manufacturers and freight forwarders. Earlier this year, Emirates


SkyCargo inaugurated a 1,000 square meter facility at Chicago O’Hara (ORD) for handling pharmaceuticals as part of its Pharma Corridors initiative that aims


to offer enhanced


protection for temperature sensitive pharma shipments from origin to destination. The facility has now been certified


as compliant to


EU GDP guidelines by SGS, a leading certification services company. The GDP certification validates the


high standards adhered to by the carrier when transporting temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals. Emirates SkyCargo’s


Chicago pharma facility, developed in partnership with ground handler Maestro, has a total capacity of close to 15,000 tonnes of pharmaceuticals per year and offers a pharma corridor


temperature-controlled zones for acceptance and delivery, pharma cargo build up and break down, storage and direct ramp access. Since its launch, the facility has handled close to 6900 tonnes of pharma. In line with its


focus on


fit-for-purpose facilities and development of pharma corridors between main


pharma origin and destination stations, Emirates SkyCargo has also moved its pharma handling operations at Copenhagen to a dedicated GDP certified facility for pharmaceuticals


developed


by WFS. The facility offers end to end handling of pharma cargo in a temperature- controlled environment with two separate temperature


Issue 1 2020 - FBJNA News Roundup American Trucking Associations’


advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For- Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 3.3% in all of 2019, about half the annual gain in 2018 (6.7%), for the tenth straight annual increase. The advanced SA For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 4% in December after falling 3.4% in November. In December, the index equaled 118.2 (2015=100) compared with 113.6 in November. “Last year was not a terrible year for for-hire truck tonnage, and despite the increase at the end of the year, 2019 was very uneven for the industry,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “The overall annual gain masks the very choppy freight environment throughout the year, which made the market feel worse for many fleets. In December, strong housing starts helped advance the index forward.”


The American Trucking Associations’ Intermodal Motor Carrier Conference urged China Ocean Shipping Co. and Hyundai Merchant Marine to continue allowing motor carriers to choose their chassis provider rather than moving to private pools where motor carriers are forced to pay a higher daily use rate. IMCC estimates that the move to abandon chassis interoperability pools will cost the trucking industry tens of millions of dollars a year.


U.S. railroads originated 955,579 carloads in November 2019, down 7.5%, or 77,166 carloads, from November 2018. U.S. railroads also originated 1,019,766 containers and trailers in November 2019, down 7.4%, or 81,138 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in November 2019 were 1,975,345, down 7.4%, or 158,304 carloads and intermodal units from November 2018.


ranges of 15-25 °C and 2-8 °C. With four dedicated gates and the capability to accept both loose and built up units, the facility will bolster Emirates SkyCargo’s pharma handling operations in Copenhagen. The shift ensures that there is maximum focus on following the guidelines for handling pharmaceutical cargo including avoiding contamination with other kinds of cargo such as food and perishable goods. “Copenhagen is an


important pharma station for Emirates SkyCargo and the move to a facility that provides dedicated pharma handling is aligned with our customer requirements for protecting the integrity of valuable pharma cargo while also ensuring that cargo is transported rapidly and efficiently,” said Henrik Ambak, Emirates Senior Vice President, Cargo Operations Worldwide. “Our current priority is


to strengthen our Pharma Corridors program. We have done this by adding more


Emirates SkyCargo B777F being loaded. (Emirates SkyCargo photo.)


relevant pharma origin and destination stations to the initiative. We have expanded the initiative to 25 stations globally from the 12 we started with initially. We’re also working to ensure that the capabilities we are developing with support from our ground handlers are fit-for-purpose.” The


Chicago GDP


certification is also part of the cargo operator’s overall plan to connect pharma cargo efficiently and securely. Emirates SkyCargo operates


more than 8,600 sq. meters of GDP certified space dedicated for the combined handling of pharmaceutical products at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central. The carrier also operates a fleet of close to 50 dedicated Emirates Pharma Cool Dollies that provide temperature protection on the ramp when cargo is being moved between the aircraft and the terminal. Through a partnership with DuPont, Emirates SkyCargo has rolled out a set of innovative thermal blankets called the Emirates White Cover which also provides a first level of protection against external temperature fluctuations for cargo.


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