editor’s letter

UNDER PRESSURE

BY SANDRA SPEARES

Dealing with the fallout from the pandemic has highlighted the many issues that ports and dry bulk operators are currently facing

Crews and those operating in ports have continued to be under pressure as they face a range of short- and longer-term measures relating to the pandemic.

As the International Association of Classification Societies’ chairman Nick Brown said at the association’s recent annual press conference, efforts have been focused on keeping supply chains operating effectively and making sure that essential goods reach their intended end-users.

Brown mentioned in his presentation the different segments of the industry that have needed to work together more cohesively than they have perhaps done in the past.

It is clear that as the demands of decarbonisation make themselves increasingly felt, and governments announce further measures going forward, industry co-operation will be vital if any of the ambitious climate targets are to be reached.

It is also worth remembering that there are already regulations in place, such as those relating to ballast water, that need to be followed through and not merely forgotten about as operators face new regulatory challenges.

What is clear is that a tick box mentality with regard to the new eco challenges is not an option and those in the industry need to ensure that not only do they meet requirements, but that they have put in place practices that will stand the test of time.

Industry practices have also come under the spotlight recently with highprofile incidents, such as that involving Ever Given, shining a light on safety and manoeuvrability of vessels in restricted areas. Questions have been raised, among other topics, on the safety issues relating to the carriage of containers on bulk carriers.

With this in mind, the use of new forms of propulsion for the industry will continue to gather pace – although one wonders if these will develop at the speed at which many expect them to do so. There will also be a need for shoreside facilities to keep pace with the demands of using new fuels and different types of propulsion.

Meanwhile, the pandemic has led to many working in a virtual way, which has brought with it several advantages, for example remote survey use can cut down the risk of accidents for surveyors when visiting ships or accessing dangerous spaces.

That said, there still remains a role for the surveyor on the ground, with better opportunities to assess responses to requests for information, for example.

It must be said that getting several people together in the same room has much to offer – in particular in a highly sociable industry such as ours. Let us hope there will soon be more opportunities for industry members to meet in person.

We face a challenging time and there will be much to play for when the industry meets in Glasgow for COP26.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this edition of Bulk Terminals International and look forward to seeing many of you in person soon.

Industry practices have come under the spotlight recently, with high-profile incidents shining a light on safety

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

» p7

» p26

» p47 » p32

1 editor’s letter

The fallout from the pandemic has highlighted the many issues that ports and dry bulk operators are currently facing

7 welcome

ABTO CEO Simon Gutteridge

10 world news round-up

Supply chain issues continue to dominate across the globe

15 cranes and gRABS

A new technical committee focused on port handling, plus plenty of new orders, sees the sector booming

22 viewpoint

Basil M Karatzas on how the demise of coal has been somewhat exaggerated

26 grains

Carriage of grain cargoes has continued to be upbeat in recent months, with ports experiencing an increase in demand

32 cement

In line with other industry players, the cement sector is tackling the issue of carbon emissions

37 storage

Storage has been vitally important for ports during the pandemic, but safety and security have been paramount

40 Bagging

Demand for bagging equipment is growing across the globe, with a number of new innovations improving systems

42 Safety

A number of issues have come under the spotlight in recent months as a result of the pandemic

46 biomass

Using wood biomass as a carbon-neutral fuel is gaining ground globally, with several big players making their mark

48 Spotlight: Great Lakes

The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership has undergone a busy time, with movements through the ports on the up

51 Spotlight: middle east

With investment increasing, Middle East ports are experiencing an uplift

54 spotlight: netherlands

Ports in the area have been pursuing a green strategy

57 spotlight: australia

Australia’s trade spat with China has continued to affect bulk trades this year

60 last word