BULK TERMINALS 2018: Improving safety, streamlining operations and ensuring environmental protection

The Annual Association of Bulk Terminal Operators (ABTO) Conference Tuesday 23 – Wednesday 24 October 2018, Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg

Improving safety, streamlining operations and ensuring environmental protection is the theme that will run throughout the two-day Bulk Terminals 2018 conference.

Will the optimistic first half forecasts for the bulk trades be sustained throughout 2018? Setting the scene for terminal operations, Bulk Terminals 2018 will undertake a strategic overview of the markets and future trends.

Safety and environmental factors are investment drivers. And for good reason, upping the industry’s act on safety continues to be a priority. Addressing ways to minimise the hazards of handling bulk cargo and how to prepare for the inevitability of fire and explosions will feature in the programme – as will what can be done to improve safety training without which there will be little, or at the best, slow progress

The environment and sustainability steadily move higher up the agenda, driven by regulation and emissions concerns. Ballast water and tank washings regulation are seen by many as a problem for ports, but maybe an opportunity for others? Similarly other green port initiatives, such as cold ironing and dust control.

Other investment drivers, such as new and smart technologies which enhance operational efficiency, will be compared. So will which systems are suitable for which application – always a factor but with the need to flexible and adaptable to changing markets, a further variable is added.

Access; position; connectivity; technology; equipment and operational efficiency are all vital and well known factors contributing to a bulk terminal’s attraction to customers. Can terminals improve their performance with better marketing?

Both physical and cyber security remains a particular weak spot for the ship shore interface. Ports and terminals are not only at risk not only from breaches in their own security but also their customers.

If terminals do suffer a cyber attack – or for that matter natural disaster, significant power loss, or terrorist incident – do they have a robust business continuity plan in place and if so how do they test it?

With terminal case studies and a programme of expert speakers providing insight, advice, solutions and networking, Bulk Terminals 2018 is the only event all those involved in the transportation, storage and handling of bulk commodities need to attend.

For the latest programme and registration details please see: www.bulkterminals.org/events