A new trade association has been established to provide the world’s bulk terminals with a united front at governmental level in order to ensure the sector can better face the environmental and commercial challenges ahead.
The Association of Bulk Terminal Operators (ABTO) seeks to provide a voice for bulk terminal operators at a national and international level, providing a forum for its members to discuss the issues impacting seaborne trade and the global transportation of bulk commodities.
“We hope to facilitate and encourage the free and frank exchange of opinion to enable the dry bulk sector to present a united front in all discussions with governments, shippers, shipowners and operators. Unity is the only way to promote and protect the interests of the world’s bulk terminal operators,” Chief Executive, Ian Adams, said.
“We hope to cooperate more fully with all industry organisations, including those representing ship owners/operators, specialist terminal operators and other groups with an interest in the bulk trades to ensure that our members’ voices are heard at national and inter-governmental level,” Adams said.
Membership to ABTO is open to bulk terminal operators, suppliers of equipment and services to those terminals, and relevant associations and institutions.