Challenge
The challenge put forward by the Port Authority of Bilbao is titled: “What is the best way to prevent diffuse particles from solid bulk cargoes stored in the open air on a dock from dispersing towards the space of neighbouring businesses?”
This challenge addresses the needs described below:
Background
The Port of Bilbao has several docks dedicated to the storage, loading and unloading of solid bulk cargoes that in 2020 represented 12.4% of the total traffic managed by the Port, and which are managed by several concessionaire companies (see attached file with the types of bulk and Ton). These bulk cargoes are mostly stored in piles and in the open air. This means that weather conditions such as wind, or the loading and unloading movements themselves create a diffusion of particles that, depending on the dispersibility of the material, can cause significant negative effects on neighbouring businesses.
In addition ,these aspects of the port operation entail the following costs for the Port Authority of Bilbao, and for the port as a whole:
- Operation costs: the presence of dust deposited on roads, rainwater drainage networks, distribution networks or the seabed of the port involve a significant increase in maintenance costs for the Port Authority.
- Emergency or incident costs: the environmental aspects linked to the handling of bulk cargoes can lead to emergencies or legal non-conformities that can affect the operational performance of the port or have unforeseen remediation costs that affect the economic efficiency of the activity.
- Opportunity costs: cross-contamination between goods or interference with other activities that require high levels of environmental quality can cause a loss of service quality that could prevent the development of other business opportunities.
- Reputation costs: an inadequate environmental performance can compromise the image and reputation of the port, creating a lack of trust among different social agents, which can have negative effects on both the normal development of port operations and on the development of possible activities on the port infrastructure, with the resulting economic cost for the Port Authority.
The Port Authority of Bilbao has assessed the following possible solutions:
- Mobile panels
- Covering piles with tarpaulins
- Conveyor belt with fairing and wetting
- Water spray
The measures included in the Guide on good practices regarding the handling and storage of solid bulk cargo have also been assessed, but they have not solved the challenge put forward by the Port of Bilbao. The solution that is sought should be an alternative to these measures.
There are several reasons why these solutions have not prospered, which range from the responsibility for the implementation of the solution to the economic/operative feasibility of the same. Firstly, the concessionaire companies that store and handle the solid bulk cargoes are responsible for implementing the measures to minimise the disruption on their surroundings derived from their activity. On the other hand, the most effective applicable measures today require a significant investment and are large-scale projects that are difficult to implement. Lastly, the eventual measures to be applied must interfere or disrupt as little as possible on the storage, loading and unloading operations of solid bulk cargoes, as this has a significant impact on the costs for the companies that work with them.
1. Description of the Challenge
2. Terms and conditions of the Challenge