Page 36 - Logistics News July 2019

News

First ‘paperless’ container shipped to the Netherlands

Courtesy www.ftwonline.co.za
THE FIRST paperless door-to-door tracked
container was shipped from Korea to the Samsung
SDS warehouse in the Netherlands via the Port of
Rotterdam in June using the blockchain platform
DELIVER, Dutch bank ABN AMRO announced.
According to the bank, its collaborative eff ort with
Samsung and the Port of Rotterdam proved that new
technology such as blockchain had the potential to
fully control and manage the supply chain.
“A supply chain management ecosystem with
a complete, paperless integration of physical,
administrative and fi nancial streams is now truly
feasible,” said Chief Innovation Offi cer Edwin van
Bommel.“All parties involved in the trade fl ow
will benefi t from more eff ective controls, greater
effi ciency, transparency and traceability.” •

Smarter mobility may be the answer

to curbing SA’s carbon emissions

Courtesy www.bizcommunity.com
THE CARBON Tax Act has recently come into
eff ect in South Africa with the aim to penalise
large emitters of greenhouse gases to minimise the
climate risks that hydrocarbon fuels present. This,
however, has a knock-on eff ect on consumers in the
form of raised fuel prices and potentially increased
living costs.
As such, it is vital for the government to consider
ways to minimise these fi nancial implications. This
is especially important in South Africa, as even in
wealthier and more economically stable countries order to become a zero-emissions society, the
like France and Australia, eff orts to increase carbon electrifi cation of transport is vital. Government has
taxes were abandoned following a backlash from already begun implementing several initiatives,
protesters over the rising costs. including the use of electric vehicle fl eets at the
However, according to a recent report, carbon City of Tshwane, Department of Environmental
tax is the best way to cut greenhouse gas emissions Aff airs and Trade and Industry in Pretoria.
as it allows for a reduction in energy consumption, Ultimately the goal would be to work towards
favours cleaner energies and provides much- creating an environment where bikes, scooters
needed revenues which could be used to fi nance and public transport can be used, or the vehicles
sustainable and more inclusive growth. that are used are either electric, hybrid or reduced
With this in mind, global and local backlash through carpooling and ride hailing services. To do
should not deter the government from this, a shift from asset ownership to mobility as a
implementing such policies, but rather serve as an service needs to take place.
incentive for it to reinvest in the country by using South Africa has already taken a bold step
revenue collected from the carbon tax to support towards making this a reality with implementing
the introduction and roll-out of new, smarter the carbon tax and through the Department of
mobility, such as electric vehicles or increased Transport signing into law the fi rst Green Transport
public transport. Strategy. Hopefully this will continue to drive
The transport sector is a huge culprit when it the adoption of a sustainable and economically
comes to polluting the atmosphere. Therefore, in stimulating solution to curbing carbon emissions. •

34 July 2019 | Logistics News