Annual Statements
The activities of the DBTG, full reports of Group meetings and events, and the deliberations and decisions of its Executive Committee (ExCom) are available to Members through the web site (Members-Only section) at all times. The Annual Statements are presented in the open section of the web site in compliance with the DBTG Constitution. The Annual Statements provide a simple yearly snapshot of events, new initiatives, and developments in the work programme.
2009
January, Rotterdam: Centre for Maritime Economics and Logistics, Erasmus University nominates graduate student to assist Group research and analysis into “Suitability of Bulk Carriers to their Cargoes and Terminals”
April, Vilnius: Mid Term meeting. Host, KLASCO, Klaipeda. Business focus:
Grab unloader refurbishment; contrasting market penetration of CSUs in Asia and Europe
Trade and Economy, Safety, Maintenance and Technical matters
Outline introduction to DBTG’s work to develop a standardised, internationally accredited Training Scheme for Terminal Representatives
Ship/Port Interface issues including DNV initiative
Executive Committee meeting
Consideration commences of special membership category for retired DBTG members to ensure experience and expertise is not unnecessarily lost to the Group
May, IMO: Final submissions made to DSC Correspondence Group considering revisions to the BLU Code
June, London: DNV facilitates meeting between Group representatives and bulk carriers owners and their representatives to discuss issues related to suitability of vessel design to terminal operating environment
August: Executive Committee meets for first time in “teleconference” environment
September, IMO: Group participates (as IBTA) at DSC14. Representative of the European grains association, Unistock, participates via IBTA delegation. During BLU Code agenda item IBTA:
emphasises concerns over suitability of vessel design to known operating environment
opposes shipowner manoeuvring to prescribe number of loading and trimming pours per hold; this seen as intended to accommodate lowest common vessel denominator
introduces statistics derived from DBTG study into scale and scope of unsuitable vessel problem
September, Ghent: Annual Meeting. Host, Port of Ghent. Business focus:
Keynote – global economic crisis, banking systems collapse and shipping crisis
General consideration of trade and shipping trends, materials handling innovations, control of operating costs
Reports: Vessel Suitability Study – main findings; Development progress – Training Scheme for Terminal Representatives
External Affairs: Ghent meeting and subsequent ExCom mark opening of dialogue with the Coal Exporting Terminal Operators Association (CETOA) on the possibility of closer co-operation. (Also see below)
May, IMO: Final submissions made to DSC Correspondence Group considering revisions to the BLU Code
DBTG and CETOA participate at IMO through the specially-created joint venture device, the International Dry Bulk Terminals Association (IBTA). This is organised through the DBTG Secretariat.
