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Spanish firm Cepsa has been recognized for its Reina Sofía Project in Huelva, Spain, which has resulted in a reduction in mooring hours and fuel consumption for ships.

The company is a finalist at the upcoming Edison Awards, an international awards ceremony that recognizes innovation projects in fields such as logistics, energy and technology.

The Reina Sofía Project is a concept developed and patented by Cepsa, installed in 2015 at the Port of Huelva, based on a pioneering loading and unloading system for petrochemical products. The Quay Reel system by Techflow Marine Ltd and Cepsa consists of a specialized set of hoses that allows different products to be loaded simultaneously, while also enhancing the flow of the pump.

According to Cepsa, the system enables loading and unloading times to be reduced by between 50 and 60 percent, saving more than 2,160 hours of mooring time a year and reducing the occupation of port facilities by 20 percent.

The technology is said to have provided improvements in operational efficiency, safety, and environmental impact. In the first year, Cepsa says the reduction in mooring hours has meant that ships have consumed 625 tonnes less of fuel, cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2,000 tonnes. Furthermore, the possibility of any fuel spillage into the sea is said to have been reduced to a minimum due to a new hose coupling security system.

A link to further details about the Quay Reel tanker loading and unloading system has been provided below.

www.techflowmarine.com/products/quay-reel-loading-system/

The Edison Awards symbolize the persistence and excellence personified by the american inventor Thomas Edison, and they aim to promote innovation, creativity and ingenuity.

Since their launch in 1987, companies from various sectors have received the award, including Apple, General Motors, Amazon, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Nike, Motorola, Starbucks and Boeing. The winners are selected by more than 3,000 of the world's top senior business executives, academics, and innovation professionals.

The 2016 Edison Awards are due to take place in New York on April 21. A list of the finalists has been provided in the link below.

www.edisonawards.com/finalists2016.php