About Us

The International Dry Bulk Terminals Group (DBTG) was established at end-1998 and provides an effective forum and voice for a global, but highly fragmented, industry that is of critical importance to the seaborne trade and transportation of dry bulk commodities.

DBTG is a not-for-profit society open to all owners/operators of dry bulk terminals world-wide. Commercial matters are not discussed.

DBTG is unique and its membership has grown year on year. Today its members operate more than 200 bulk terminals world-wide ranging in throughput capacities from less than 1mta to the largest facilities handling well over 50mta; in some cases much more.

DBTG is a signatory to the Maritime Industry Charter on Quality and has Consultative Status at the International Maritime Organization (the United Nations maritime agency). Here it works in conjunction with the Australia-headquartered Coal Export Terminal Operators Association (CETOA)

In combination DBTG and CETOA handle almost 1.5 billion tonnes of dry bulk cargo per year.

Since foundation DBTG has developed into a community where members freely exchange ideas and concerns, experience and expertise on issues such as operational safety and efficiency, performance benchmarking, technical analysis and innovation, environmental matters, operator training, as well as maritime security. In all these matters DBTG’s work programme includes initiatives of regional and global relevance

DBTG has worked to develop communication and understanding between terminals and other players in the seaborne dry bulk chain.

DBTG meetings, organised by terminal operators for terminal operators, provide a private** forum for full, frank consideration of key regional and international issues confronting the industry.

(**DBTG members and guests only. NO press nor related organisations)

DBTG PROGRAMME

  • Continuous exchange of ideas, concerns, experience and expertise among members on matters of Operational Safety and Efficiency in a non-commercial environment
  • Development of a standard industry scheme for the certificated training of Terminal Representatives in line with IMO’s BLU Code and Manual
  • Continuous monitoring of ship/port interface matters. Outreach to emphasise the impact of bulk carrier design on the safe operation of terminals and the need for vessels to be suitable to their operational environment
  • Action related to 2009 study. in conjunction with the Center for Maritime Economics and Logistics at Rotterdam’s Erasmus University, into the suitability of bulk carriers to terminals and their cargoes
  • Expanding use of the Group’s Bulk Carrier Handling Data Exchange
  • Continuous contribution to IMO matters through IBTA
  • Progress towards closer co-operation with CETOA, the Group’s joint venture partner in IBTA
  • Continuous drive to create the widest possible awareness of the Group’s aims and activities and to increase membership world-wide
  • Expanding use of Difficult Cargoes Database and Information Exchange
  • Expanding use of DBTG’s confidential Mutual Safety Exchange. (Distribution of associated Safety Forum newsletter)
  • Working Group for co-ordination and standardisation, of formal training programmes presently used by members for bulldozer drivers, crane drivers and various other personnel
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