editor’s letter

SAFETY STAYS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

BY SANDRA SPEARES

With the plight of seafarers continuing to be a major concern – and vaccination of crew members top of the agenda – new aids to the health and safety of people vital to the shipping industry are to be welcomed

It is good to see that countries such as India, which has paid a heavy price in the pandemic, have been pushing for vaccination of their seafarers in the shortest possible time. Health and safety continue to be major concerns for the industry and, it is hoped, will continue to receive a high level of attention at all levels.

While seafarers’ issues are nothing new, it is hoped that the pandemic may have a positive effect in highlighting the importance of those who work in all sectors of the industry.

The pandemic has also served to highlight or accelerate trends such as remote working, digitalisation and the need to reduce costs by introducing greater efficiencies and eliminating wasteful practices. Some remote working practices will continue to improve safety conditions for those working in ports and on ships. They should have a positive effect on how personnel are deployed and, result in the elimination of some of the more dangerous tasks in which individuals may have to become involved. The use of drones may serve to address the issue of dangers represented by enclosed spaces, notably reducing the need for human intervention within high-risk areas of the ship or port facility

One area that has been receiving attention is using drones to carry out surveys of areas of ships that have often resulted in dangers to crew in the past. The use of drones may also serve to address the issue of dangers represented by enclosed spaces, notably reducing the need for human intervention within high-risk areas of the ship or port facility.

That said, remote working does have its down side and it is hoped as the pandemic begins to ease, there will be more time for face to face contacts that do not involve speaking via a computer screen. There have been benefits for more efficient use of working time, but the maritime industry is essentially a very sociable one, and face to face contacts are important. Hopefully, this will be possible later this year when ABTO holds its delayed conference in Riga.

We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to make the trip to Riga in October to enjoy the pleasures of networking in the traditional way, while at the same time having the opportunity of hearing presentations from specialists from across the dry bulk segment.

Meanwhile, enjoy reading the latest edition of Bulk Terminals International.

BULK TERMINALS international

Published by Editor: Sandra Speares speares1@aol.com Designer: Justin Ives justindesign@live.co.uk PROJECT DIRECTOR: Jonathon Ferris jonathon.ferris@bulkterminals.org PROJECT MANAGER: Alex Corboude alex.corboude@bulkterminals.org Sub-editor: Samantha Robinson Sam.robinson.journalist@gmail.com Publisher: Bill Robinson production@bulkterminals.org ABTO 35 Beacon Drive Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 1GG Chief Executive: Simon Gutteridge ce@bulkterminals.org Technical Adviser: Ian Adams tech@bulkterminals.org PR: Patrik Wheater pr@seabornecomms.com

The views expressed in Bulk Terminals International are not necessarily those of ABTO or the publisher unless expressly stated to be such. ABTO disclaims any responsibility for errors or omissions or their consequences or for advertisements contained in this magazine and has no legal responsibility to deal with them.

CONTENTS

» p13

» p23

» p25 » p39

1 editor’s letter

Why the plight of seafarers needs to stay firmly in the spotlight

6 welcome

ABTO CEO Simon Gutteridge

36 viewpoint: IRON ORE

Basil M Karatzas on a rallying market

39 HEALTH AND SAFETY

Why covid-19 vaccinations must be a priority to protect seafarers

8 world news round-up

Why speedy solutions are required in the industry’s quest to tackle emissions

43 BULKER CLASSIFICATION

Decarbonisation and digitalisation are two of the challenges the industry faces

13 GRABS

Flexibility is one of the main factors when selecting the right grab

47 Spotlight: INDIA

The country is pressing ahead with the development of a national maritime plan

18 craneS

Cranes are playing an important part in the race to digitalisation

25 SHIP Loading

Innovative designs are transforming efficiency in ports across the globe

27 SELF unloaders

Pioneering vessels are dealing with environmental concerns

32 GRAINS

Dust particles constitute a major hazard when moving grains around the world

49 Spotlight: SOUTH AFrica

New plans give ports a much-needed boost after challenging times

51 Spotlight:

US WEST COAST

Urgent calls ask for immediate and substantial investment in ports

53 Spotlight: SCANDINAVIA

Innovative solutions that make ports more efficient continue apace