Diversification and Sustainable Development in Southern Europe - Essay Example

INTRODUCTION The Republic of Malta which in itself is an island is situated south of Europe and comprises an archipelago of seven islands. It is approximately 300 kilometres from Libya in the north, 288 kilometres to the east of Tunisia and 93 kilometres off the coastal region of Sicily, Italy. Throughout the history of Malta, its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea has given it great importance (Bill, 2004). On its main island, the republic of Malta has three natural harbours: The Grand Harbour is situated east of Valletta of the capital city. The harbour has existed since the Roman times and has a number of extensive wharves and docks, on top of a cruise liner terminal. The harbour also has a terminal that serves ferries to connect Malta to Catania and Pozzallo in Sicily. The Marsamxett harbour is located west of Valletta and mainly hosts several yacht marinas. The harbour at Marsaxlokk which is the site upon which the Malta Freeport stands is on the south-east of Malta, and is the main cargo terminal in the republic (Bill, 2004). Also, there are two man-made harbours that are used to provide car and passenger ferry service connecting Marr Harbour on Gozo and irkewwa Harbour on Malta. Malta Freeport is among the most sophisticated terminal hubs in the world. The port has a well established feeder network connecting it to over 100 ports in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean ocean. The port has experienced remarkable growth since it was established and has attracted some of the most renowned international maritime players in the world courtesy of state-of-the-art facilities, proven track record and enviable geographical location (Bill, 2004). NEED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MODERN CONTAINER Port Authorities in Malta have increasingly appreciated the need for the construction of modern one million TEU container terminals in Malta in response to the need to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and capacity, and globalise terminal operations. The highly automated terminal is expected to use gantry cranes. The construction of the modern terminal will have great consequences for the strategic position of port as well as to its potential clients. Standard-sized containers are commonly used to cargo between different transportation modes such as trains, trucks and ships (Bill, 2004). A commonly used unit of cargo capacity used for describing container terminals and container ships is the teu or TEU, but is an inexact measure. One TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) represents a cargo capacity of a shipping container 8 feet wide and 20 feet long without a standardized height. The container height can range from 4.25feet to 9.5feet but more commonly is 8.5feet The construction which is anticipated to offer world-class maritime services will be capable of handling one million teu annually with a potential for future expansion. Several Safety and security issues must be well addressed during the construction of the facility which must also be environmentally friendly (Felix, 2008). The high-level technological gantry equipment used at the terminal must be able to keep drivers, visitors and workers safe while expediting cargo movement using the newest and technologically advanced handling machines. The automated container handling system will make it possible for the management function to closely monitor activities taking place in the terminal through a central monitoring office. CONTAINER TERMINALS In the recent past, methodological approaches in container terminal operations have considerably changed with modern techniques of material handling being adopted (Hans, 2004). Yet another area where significant changes have been witnessed in information and communication as well as the security functions of the organization. Constructing of quay walls, fairways, and terminal areas must therefore be carefully done in line with the master plan which has several security and safety measures on top of complying with current regulations and providing room for future development (Felix, 2008). In constructing the container terminal, quality improvements should be implemented through the support of proper policies, resources, technologies and procedures. The prime objective of the port's authority is to provide fast, efficient, reliable and secure services to its clients by using technologically up-to-date equipment. This goes a long way in maintaining high customer confidence in the operations of the container terminal. Container terminals and cities in which they exist interact in many dimensions; environmentally, economically, socially, and culturally. Port's reforms should therefore take into account both the city's objectives and objectives of the port. The storage and cargo-handling facility will perform all activities related to discharging and loading inland and seagoing vessels, including intra-port transport and warehousing. The container terminal will also provide storage facilities for both empty and loaded containers. Containers that are loaded will be temporarily stored whilst awaiting onward transportation. Unloaded containers will be stacked together for conservation of storage space. There are several types of cranes that container terminals can use in performing its functions. In Malta, the container terminal will mainly use gantry cranes. SAFETY TECHNOLOGY Malta considers safety and health a matter of great importance in its business activities. The organisation has made measures to ensure that as much as practicably possible, all contractors and employees will work in a hazard -free environment. Safe working procedures and practices will be implemented and awareness spread among all stakeholders with an aim of ensuring that they are committed to safety rules and regulations in all activities. Safety measures in container terminals must be put in place with an aim of preventing crisis that may result from explosions, collisions, discharge of pollutants and natural disasters (Hans, 2004). The facility to be constructed must be highly efficient, incorporating the use of emissions-conscious and energy-saving technology equipment designed to be environmentally friendly. Very high standards of security, safety, labour, and technology are maintained within the container terminal facility. The yard area will feature remotely controlled cranes and weight-sensitive booths. To ensure drivers' safety, they will have to exit their cabs then stand inside an enclosed booth before each chassis can be loaded by its specific yard crane. With an aim of ensuring maximum safety levels within the yard, cranes will be control remotely from an operations control centre in a different building. This will help in minimizing possible exposure to safety hazards. Optical sensors, scanners and radio frequency identification readers will be used in every applicable place to ensure that movement of trucks, containers, cargo and human traffic is smooth and without obstruction. This also helps in avoiding collisions and accidents which could be serious owing to the nature of equipment and containers involved. There is a need to have a health care facility within or close to every organisational setup. This helps in managing emergency situations more easily. The container terminal will have in place a well equipped hospital to cater for workers' medical needs in good time and in a proper manner. The Malta maritime container terminal will be situated around one of the main harbours and will be connected to the inland by good road and railway connections. This will ensure that transportation in case of urgency is efficient and effective. EQUIPMENT AND THEIR MAINTENANCE Gantry cranes lift objects by use of hoists which are fitted in trolleys and can horizontally move fitted under a beam or on pairs of rails or on a single rail. Gantry cranes, much like overhead travelling cranes, are suited to lifting very massive objects and have rails on which they are installed to the ground. Some gantry cranes are designed to run on rubber tires eliminating the need for tracks. Gantry cranes are known to be efficient in loading and offloading containers from one transportation vessel to another or to the ground. Rubber Tire Gantry cranes are known to have exceptional ground speed control features that allow cranes to be inched during the engagement and disengagement of trailer pins when a fifth wheel is to be used (Kap, 2007). The fifth wheel provides better traction, helps in the redistribution of loads and in easing the steering process. Also when the steering is disengaged, the wheel pivot is electronically locked into position by a counter-balancing system that is operated through a hydraulic system. On-dock rail will help in eliminating truck traffic in adjacent neighbourhoods and on local highways. RTGs are also used in moving containers from rail cars on multiple tracks of on-dock rail. On top of container shipping, the facility will handle break-bulk cargo. This kind of cargo will have a dedicated area for carrying out operations. All equipment for handling containers will be operated and maintained at the highest possible standard to minimize fuel consumption, noise and contamination. All environmental accidents will be conclusively investigated and measures put in place to avoid future occurrences of similar accidents as much as possible. The organisation will also make reports in review of the working environment and environmental incidents. Twelve outbound and a similar number of inbound high-efficiency gates will be put in place to minimize idle time hence reducing truck emissions while speeding up the movement of cargo. RFID (radio frequency identification readers) and optical scanners will be used to boost and encourage efficient truck exit and entry, giving accurate direction to truck drivers. If necessary, trucks will be directed to a different place specifically dedicated to problem resolution. ERGONOMICS Cranes used will be adaptable; designed for boom extension, span change and height increase for easy functioning and maintenance. The facility's equipment will be subjected to both preventative and corrective maintenance practices on regular basis to achieve the highest possible reliability and to ensure that high levels of safety are maintained at work. The working conditions will be ergonomically sound to ensure that workers are not affected by industrial health problems which could further lead to the occurrence of accidents. SECURITY MEASURES Security is a main concern in conducting business. Harbours throughout the world are known to be entry points for illegal immigrants and a place where illegal activities can easily be planned and executed (Kap, 2007). The organisation will ensure that the highest possible security standards are instituted and implemented. The container terminal will be adequately equipped with CCTVs (Closed Circuit Televisions) with an aim of monitoring all activities being performed within the port. The port will also work in collaboration with private, national and international security authorities and law enforcers to ensure that the harbour does not turn into a hive for illegal activities. Overall focus on security will include the implementation of a more advanced identity-credentialing system. This will help in limiting access to sensitive or high-risk areas while only admitting authorised workers. Also, on-line reservation systems and overhead electronic screens will enable optimized flow and movement of both cargo and trucks (turn time) within the facility while also helping to ensure that high levels of security and safety are maintained in entire facility. The ICT and security systems used will provide real-time data about activities taking place in the terminal, which will be used by management to develop better measures for improving the container handling cycle and implementing measures that may help in dealing with unforeseeable circumstances when they arise (Kap, 2007). Wireless communication network and EDI systems will be used for efficient transmission of security information with appropriate documentation being accompanying all transactions Online frauds have become common place in the recent past with huge losses being realised by organisations courtesy of people in remote places. The organisation will ensure that its information and communication systems are secure through use of appropriate software that prevents intrusion. The ICT system also will help in monitoring the movement of cargo and resources into and out of the facility; this will include both empty and loaded containers. ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AND CONSERVATION In recognition of the importance of conserving the natural environment, the organisation acknowledges and appreciates its responsibility to the environment. It has taken measures to encourage its contractors and employees to have a positive attitude of responsibility towards their activities' impacts on the environment. It will also make clear and continuous targets for environmental conservation and develop indicators that will help in evaluating progress while also taking appropriate actions to correct any problems that directly or indirectly affect the environment as a result of the organisation's activities. The terminal will include an inventory of several super post-Panamax gantry cranes, a number of rail-mounted cranes and rubber tire cranes with electric spreader bars which help in eliminating hydraulic spills. Also, for the purpose of environmental protection, only a few diesel engines will be used. Further to this, off-road terminal vehicles which emit significantly reduced amounts of nitrous oxide and particulate matter will be used in transportation. The terminal will have a vast area of land set aside for trees and also serves as a wetland with close to 200,000 wetland-type plants. Plants in the wetland include needle rush, cordgrass, saltgrass, wax myrtle and marsh elder, planted around the container terminal. Environmental conservation is a collective duty; the container handling facility will work in cooperation with land transport operators, ship owners and national authorities to make sure that cargo that could be dangerous is safely moved in compliance with international laws and standards. CONCLUSION The construction of the modern terminal will have great consequences for the strategic position of port as well as to its potential clients. An automated container handling system makes it possible for the management function to closely monitor activities taking place in the terminal through a central monitoring office. REFERENCE FelixA 2008 Visualising Layout and Operation of a ContainerTerminal Maritime and Supply Chain Solutions UK Bill B 2004 Coastal Mass Tourism: Diversification and Sustainable Development in Southern Europe Illustrated edition Channel View Publications Kap H 2007 Container Terminals & Cargo Systems Design Operations Management and Logistics Control Issues illustrated edition Springer Hans A 2004 Planning and Design of Ports and Marine Terminals Edition 2 Thomas Telford Read More