Ports and Terminals
Port Survey Expertise and Consultancy
Brookes Bell investigate, survey, troubleshoot and advise on a range of disciplines on land and in marine environments. A Port Survey Consultant will be at the forefront of marine civil engineering claims associated with Fixed Object Damage (FOD) and can be on-hand to support claims anywhere in the world, when and where they are needed.
The scope of our work in both ports and marine terminals incorporates:
- Initial site investigation
- Desktop studies
- Advice on repair solutions and costs
- Organising and monitoring of repair contracts
- Manoeuvring and ship handling issues
- Settlement of claims
- Reviewing consequential business interruption loss claims
- Sourcing of replacement cargo handling systems
- Expert witness and dispute resolution support services
Fixed Object Damage (FOD)
Typical Fixed Object Damage (FOD) incidents investigated include damage to the following:
- Jetties, quays and breakwaters
- Berthing, mooring and turning dolphins
- Fendering and mooring systems
- Bulk ship loaders, container cranes and quayside cranes
- Liquid loading arms and flexible hoses
- Jetty pipelines, manifolds and valves
- Access channels, turning basins, navigation beacons and buoys
- Subsea pipelines and cables
- Offshore oil and gas platforms
- Single and conventional buoy moorings (SBM’s & CBM’s)
Without the highest standards of investigation, all those with an interest in an incident could risk serious financial and legal disadvantages. Our reputation and proven track record of technical performance and output is second to none.
Port Risk Assessments
Brookes Bell has been involved in many different aspects of port operations over the years. Our team of specialist consultants and surveyors are not only very familiar with the requirements for Port Risk Assessment under the Port Marine Safety Code and the application of Formal Safety Assessment as recommended by IMO but our wide range of disciplines and experience provide an enviable in-house knowledge base which allows us to achieve a high level of hazard identification.
Through our long-established involvement in marine casualties and particularly container ship casualties our Port Risk Assessment can bring the added value of assessing a ports ability to deal with the challenges of being a Place of Refuge and the very special challenges that this can bring to Port Authorities, Harbour Masters, Terminal Operators and State Authorities.
Nautical and marine expertise
Our Master Mariners have carried out numerous port risk assessments and feasibility studies around the globe. In addition, our Master Mariners have been involved in the arbitration and litigation of many unsafe port claims. This requires an in depth understanding of safe port systems including navigational assessments, pilotage training, towage requirements, provision of navigational aids, dredging and survey regimes, berth and fender arrangements, weather forecasting, limiting environmental conditions, port evacuation plans and contingency, mooring arrangement assessments, target vessel evaluations, port SMS, personnel safety and industrial injury claims.
Port infrastructure expertise
Our Civil and Port engineers have the knowledge and experience to evaluate and assess risks associated with the structural elements of the port infrastructure. They have up to date knowledge and experience of issues regarding port operations, safety and scenarios regarding damage and repair for port and coastal facilities, jetty structures, equipment including gantry cranes, and port furniture such as fenders.
Facilitation and analytical skills
Our Naval Architects and safety engineers provide a wide range of supporting services which allow us to provide a very comprehensive port risk assessment service including structured hazard identification exercises, qualitative and quantitative risk assessments, and a range of advanced engineering analysis and simulations, hydrodynamic evaluations of towage requirements and port design criteria regimes.
Hazardous cargo/materials expertise
Our cargo scientists have a broad range of expertise which is often used to assist clients in determination and handling of hazardous materials both legitimate industrial materials but also those which may be generated through casualties such as toxic wastes, contaminated environments and pollution.
Fire and explosion risks
The Brookes Bell Fire Investigators are experts in their field and understand the special risks associated with fire and its consequences in the context of port operations including coordinating conflagration management with local first response personnel.