In a concerted effort to reduce injuries and equipment damage in port operations, the TT Club, the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) and ICHCA International have announced a joint initiative to establish minimum safety standards for quayside container cranes. There are many features available for the design of quay container cranes which can dramatically improve safety, reducing exposure to injury, damage and disruption costs. The initiative aims to ensure that such features are included as standard and not optional in specifications tendered by equipment manufacturers.
TT Club has an established reputation for researching, assessing and nurturing technological advances that will enhance safety and performance in the operational port environment. In the past TT has recommended, for example, the installation of boom anti-collision sensors, which have proven benefits in preventing damage costs and business disruption, as well as improving safety for crane operators, terminal personnel and ships’ crews.
Initial work will involve agreeing the list of safety features that should be standard. Thereafter. the partners will seek a commitment from all quayside container crane suppliers on the baseline standard specification in relation to safety that will be used in tendering.