Offshore leaders partner up to improve safety at the Port of Esbjerg

Siemens Gamesa, MHI Vestas, Blue Water Shipping, the Dockers Union, and Port Esbjerg have come together to make an initiative for improved safety within the Port of Esbjerg.

The industry partners at the Port of Esbjerg observed and reported near miss situations at one of the intersections, and the parties consequently agreed to asphalt the intersection with a layer of red asphalt to warn drivers. In addition, they also decided to call out for a pledge for safety in port operations and for increased awareness.

Given the focus on safety within the offshore wind industry, it is no coincidence that the players in this industry lead the way in port safety for offshore wind ports.

Safety is a number one priority

More than half of the offshore wind farms in Europe have been shipped via the Port of Esbjerg. Loading and unloading of major components is everyday business for the equipment manufacturers, stevedores and dock workers, while traffic with trailers, trucks, reach stackers and other handling equipment is busy and the aspect of road safety is added to the complexity of safety within the port.

While the industry is busy securing clean energy for the world, safety remains a number one priority. This focus is evident in the significant progress that the industry has made since the first offshore wind farms were installed nearly three decades ago. In 2018, the major players in the industry came together to develop the Guideline for planning and execution of WTG lifting operations, which has resulted in a best practice for the industry.

The ports, where much of the operation is going on, are busy environments with numerous activities moving both conventional and specialized cargo. Today’s highly efficient pre-assembly and port operations are recognized to entail even more activity and much larger components.