DBTG to focus on preventing enclosed space accidents

(Posted on 02/08/18)

The International Dry Bulk Terminals Group (DBTG) will discuss the important topic of accidents deriving from working in enclosed spaces such as the cargo holds of bulk ships at its next meeting in Baltimore in October. 

The DBTG was founded 20 years ago as a not-for-profit organisation that would provide a voice and forum for owners and operators of dry bulk terminals.  Two decades later, DBTG has grown and its’ Members handle some 35% of world seaborne dry bulk cargoes.  Today the voice is stronger than ever on both the national and more importantly with a seat at the IMO, the international stage – it has to be strong as it is the only credible voice of the dry bulk industry.

DBTG Members gather twice a year to meet and discuss a variety of issues from the technical to the operational and this year is no exception.  In April the venue was Hamburg and in October Members will assemble in Baltimore, USA.  Executive Director Nic Ingle explained “with Members across every continent, we aim to hold one meeting a year at a suitable location in Europe, the other somewhere similarly suitable outside Europe and in October it will be the Baltimore”.

DBTG has some notable achievements to shout about too.  From the inception of the Blu Code to more recently playing a central role in the IMO tasked Global Bauxite Working Group (GBWG) DBTG has led the way in setting industry standards.  The GBWG was set up following the loss of the Bulk Jupiter off Vietnam in January 2015 and the research it conducted established that it is Dynamic Separation that causes some bauxite cargoes to become unstable.  Dynamic Separation is a process where moisture in bauxite cargoes with a high percentage of fine material is forced to the top of the cargo in each hold due to the compaction of the fine particles in the cargo, causing a free surface water effect that renders the vessel unstable and liable to capsize.

In Baltimore, DBTG will discuss another important and little talked about subject, accidents relating to solid bulk cargoes, more specifically, working in enclosed spaces such as ships holds.  Independent research, conducted by Kevin Cribbin,  has recently revealed that in the last 19 years, at least 106 people, either shore workers or ship’s crew have lost their lives through either asphyxiation and/or carbon monoxide poisoning or through fire and/or explosion.  Nic Ingle said “that such a large number of lives have been lost in this way, nearly 6 every year, is shocking.  Considering that over 80% of that number suffocated is simply not acceptable”.  He went on “In Hamburg we heard the tragic account of a 20 year old terminal worker who died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning earlier this year and we simply must do more to prevent such terrible loss of life.  Setting industry standards is the DBTG philosophy and we are raising this matter at the IMO”.

The Baltimore meeting has a full two day agenda with more than 20 senior executive speakers already confirmed from across the dry bulk terminal sector.  Topics covered range from working in enclosed spaces to capital investment to spontaneous combustion to health and safety.  The meeting runs from the 3^rd to the 5^th of October 2018 and more details can be found at www.drybulkterminals.org or email [email protected]

Latest News

Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows

In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more

PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO

PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more

New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more

Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port

AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more

Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more

Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel

The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more

Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants

A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more

SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping

The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more

Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty

The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more

PD Ports strengthens Teesport bulk handling with £5.4m crane investment

PD Ports has further strengthened its bulk handling capability at Teesport with the arrival of... Read more