…at the 17th annual inter airport Europe exhibition is where you will find us October 6 – 9, 2009.  The inter airport Europe exhibition is the airport industry’s international meeting point for buyers, vendors, specifiers, decision makers, architects, consultants and system integrators. The show encompasses all aspects of airport equipment, technology, design and services.

As such, representatives from our Airport Market Unit are already confirmed to attend. The Market Unit is comprised of three of our Centres of Excellence – Cavotec Dabico, Cavotec Fladung and Cavotec Meyerinck – all of which are market-leaders in the design and manufacture of in-ground fuel systems, airport refueling systems and advanced in-ground utility systems, respectively.  At inter airport Europe, Cavotec Fladung will be presenting an “APU free” airport concept, which will help to reduce carbon emissions.

We are excited about inter airport Europe; the previous exhibition in 2007 was a record event, with more than 600 exhibitors and some 13,000 visitors from all over the world.  This coming October, inter airport will be held at the Munich Trade Fair Centre.

Will we see you there?

Ever on the lookout for industry innovations, we were interested by this piece in the International Herald Tribune, “Airline industry is studying ways to protect black boxes.”

As described in the Tribune, while modern communications technology has allowed real-time transmission of information in even the most banal situation, “…when Airbus jets from Air France and Yemenia Airways crashed into the ocean, taking their black boxes into the deep with them, neither aircraft could send its data and cockpit voice recordings to a secure place on the ground.”  As the article quips, there is an “…expectation of air travellers that multimillion-dollar airplanes should have more, not less, technological capability that the average Twitter user.”

A "black box," photo credit: Gizmodo.com

It is not a new idea to transmit real time info (like the millions of Twitter users do every day) from the”black box” data recorder – it is just one that has not yet been brought to fruition.  Given the amount of bandwidth required, the amount planes in the air at any given time, as well as the confidentiality of data being sent, etc. there are a number of obstacles to overcome.

Airbus has responded to say that they are set to find new ways that will “reduce the chance of losing critical data.”  More specifically, two department heads are investigating “live data transmission, external black boxes and…extending the life of the black box pinger.”

Cavotec as a company wholeheartedly believes in the transforming power of technological innovations.  In fact, in this crossroads between two powerful industries, Airline and Communications, there is undoubtedly large potential for a groundbreaking solution.

What do you think?

As a current member of the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) we would like to extend a warm welcome to PEMA’s newest members:

1. Terex Cranes: a crane manufacturer that supplies a wide range of high performance mobile cranes to various industry sectors, including the international ports market
2. Loxystem: a container logistics solutions designer that makes use of the latest technology to help increase port security, productivity and safety.

As PEMA President Ottonel Popesco said, “It’s a pleasure to welcome new members to PEMA. We look forward to working with our colleagues at both Terex and Loxystem; both companies bring with them a wealth of industry experience from their specific areas of expertise.”

Last month we wrote about the unveiling of the Solar Impulse solar-powered aircraft – an inspiring project that could be part of the solution for an industry that “has been battered from all directions since the financial system nearly collapsed in September, ” as described in the International Herald Tribune on July 14, 2009.

As Bertrand Piccard, President and Initiator of the project said on the day of the unveiling, “We all share the same human values, the same spirit for a more sustainable future.  Protecting the environment is vital.  But it should also be profitable. Otherwise, nobody is going to commit himself to find the solutions and to change something in this world.”

Is Solar Impulse a sustainable, but profitable solution that could help a “struggling” industry?

Watch a clip of the Solar Impulse unveiling day by clicking here.

Though it’s the Airports and Ports & Maritime innovations that spend most of the time in the spotlight, what happens below ground is no less worthy of attention.

Cavotec cable reels in a mine

We have come across a great resource in Mining.com - a so-called “mine of information.”  In this one site you can track metal prices, explore Best Management Practices for the industry, read the latest headlines, peruse the latest industry events, view job listings, etc.  There are areas broken out for suppliers, buyers and links to relevant blogs.  We are certainly fans of the site and any measure that gives added attention to an industry that, by nature, is usually not so illuminated.

In fact, Cavotec actually started out as a specialist supplier of tunnelling and mining equipment four decades ago, initially focusing on the electrification of drilling rigs and other mining equipment.  We have since adapted and expanded our range of products to become one of the most trusted names in the mining supply and tunneling equipment.

Cavotec AMP™ system

Ever since the EPA proposed tougher engine and fuel standards for U.S. flagged ships, there has been a lot of buzz in the blog world.  Ultimately, such standards would align the U.S. with international criterion and serve to reduce air pollution in U.S. cities and ports.  Naturally, we are in full support of any measures that would enhance our own efforts in making the shipping industry a cleaner one.  Our Alternative Maritime Power (AMP™) system allows ships in port to plug into local electricity grids, rather than running their engines to produce power – a process commonly referred to as “cold ironing.”

What has been of particular interest is seeing the many articles that use the EPA’s proposal as an argument for the use of cold ironing. Or the residents who track the issue in their own neighborhoods, and wonder why cold ironing isn’t already in place in Red Hook, Brooklyn or wherever else.

There is also a lot of positive coverage for those who have adopted AMP™ or other cold ironing systems or have intentions to do so.  From San Diego, California to Port Everglades, Florida, it seems that the EPA’s proposal has sparked many into action.  While this is just a start, as Thomas J. Eager, CEO of N.C. State Ports Authority, remarks in his op-ed, “daily there are new “green” practices becoming standard in the port industry.”

Given that each ship using AMP™ saves around one ton of pollutants per day, we look forward to seeing the day cold ironing become one such standardised green practice.