Harbour Masters Committee launch “The Chain” video
GreenPort 2010 will be the first event where the video production “The Chain” is shown to a large audience. Through “The Chain”, the European Harbour Masters’ Committee are aiming to create awareness of the effects of individual operations on the nautical chain, and of the importance of sharing information and knowledge.
. A stronger nautical chain can contribute significantly to greater efficiency in maritime transport, increased safety and, perhaps most importantly, to a reduction of vessel emissions and use of fuel. Ingrid Römers, EHMC Secretary explains that a number of developments have made it necessary to raise awareness:
• ever-increasing importance of efficiency and faster turnaround times in ports
• ever larger vessels operated without adequate crew size
• increasing mixes of different nationalities on board
• unfamiliarity of crew members with the port or terminal due to rapid turnover of crews
• diminishing number of people with a nautical background working in ports. All these developments tend to put stress on the links in the nautical chain, creating serious problems such as:
• ships arriving at port only to find berths are occupied meaning unnecessary fuel has been consumed
• increased numbers of unnecessary incidents resulting in a sharp increase of P&I premiums
• increased turnaround times due to improper planning, caused by incorrect information and unknown mooring configurations
• loss of cargo volume due to incorrect out of date nautical and terminal information. By creating awareness of the effects of individual operations on the nautical chain and awareness of the importance of sharing information and knowledge, these problems can be solved.
The Chain offer an insight in the jobs of all the partners who are involved in a vessels’ voyage, bringing it into port, mooring and preparing for loading and unloading. Understanding and appreciating each others’ work will translate into better cooperation in the chain, something the European Harbour Masters consider of great value to vessels and port clients.
