APD Limited, owner and operator of Nassau Container Port (NCP), has announced the launch of a new phase of its commitment to safety, which will involve a heavier emphasis on inspections of vehicles and equipment.
Beginning June 1, port managers will conduct regular port gate inspections of heavyweight tractor trailers, dump trucks and equipment entering the port. The assessment aims to ensure that such vehicles and equipment are maintained in a condition to operate safely in port and on the busy streets of Nassau, which they share with other vehicles and pedestrians.
"The majority of the imports coming into The Bahamas pass through Nassau Container Port. The trucking industry, which moves those goods to and from the port, is therefore a vital element of this country's trade. From the establishment of NCP, truckers have been our partners in the progress the port has achieved so far, which benefits the 11,000 Bahamians who own the Nassau Container Port and Gladstone Freight Terminal and the country as a whole," Michael Maura, Jr., president and CEO of APD Limited noted.
"We are now counting on our trucking partners to join us in contributing to greater safety in the port premises and on the streets of New Providence. Imagine a powerful, heavy tractor head and chassis carrying 50,000 pounds of cargo trying to stop a skid on an oil slick or on a rain-wet surface. If there is no traction because of faulty brakes or tires, it is inevitable that there will be a disaster. We want to make sure, as far as possible, that the vehicles moving loads in and out of the port are safe and capable of moving that freight."
Noting that the heavy equipment inspection program is a new and essential element of APD's commitment to creating a culture of safety, Maura said that NCP has been conducting informal inspections to give heavy equipment operators the opportunity to see the plan in action and appreciate its worth. He said the inspections are the responsibility of the port's Gate and Interchange Manager Brando Glinton and his team, which has undergone specialized training.
Glinton explained the details of the inspection.
"As heavy transport vehicles enter the NCP gate, we will use the checklist of our heavy equipment gate inspection form to assess their fitness to operate safely within the port. For the big rigs, it's a two-part checklist. We're looking at elements of the tractor and the chassis. On the tractor head, we are checking head lights, the tread depth on the front and rear tires and the security of the fuel tank," the manager said. "As regards the chassis, the important items for assessment are the unit number, brake lights, condition of the tires, chassis leg height, sand shoes, load locks and safe load."
In regards to inspection of dump trucks, Glinton noted that he and his team will be checking to see that headlights are working, mirrors are attached, tires have the proper depth of tread, brake lights work and the tailgate locks and the fuel tank are secure.
Following inspections, the gate and interchange manager said vehicle operators will be given two copies of the completed inspection form to sign, one of which they will keep as a guide to needed repairs and for their records. For vehicles passing this important health check, it will be business as usual. If a vehicle fails the inspection, it will be allowed to enter the port once the repairs indicated on the inspection form are made.
"At the end of the day, none of us, not importers, truckers or APD as port operator, should accept, 'I'm going to get it fixed tomorrow'. We all know that something could happen in the port or the minute one of these heavy, powerful vehicles leaves the dock. It must be emphasized that we see the port's safety inspection initiative as contributing to increased safety, in the spirit of partnership, with the authorities," said Maura.
"Our inspection, while impactful, does not take the place of an extensive road traffic inspection and subsequent certification. Our desire is to see that only vehicles in proper operating condition do business with the port for the good of everybody. Our checklist is short and inspection is carried out by a trained crew and does not take up much of the truckers' time."
In-house legal counsel of APD Yvette Rahming highlighted the specialized training the company invested in to ensure that the relevant staff members gained the appropriate knowledge and skills to conduct the vehicle inspections.

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