The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA), the global industry body for port equipment and technology, has published a new information paper entitled ‘Tyre Selection and Maintenance in Ports and Terminals.’

Tyres have a significant, often overlooked, impact on the cost, reliability, safety, energy usage and emissions of port vehicle and handling equipment fleets. In the port and terminal market, tyre replacement ranks second only to energy expenditure in operating costs. Tyres thus constitute a critical component of modern port and terminal fleet operations and warrant detailed consideration.

Choosing appropriate tyres for specific applications and equipment types also has serious safety implications. The huge pressures exerted on port tyres during operations can, and do, result in injuries and fatalities in the case of blowouts. Equipment such as reach stackers, straddle carriers, heavy-duty forklifts and empty container handlers also rely on their tyres to absorb or counter some of the forces inherent in carrying high, off-centre loads.

In addition, correct selection and maintenance have a considerable impact on port equipment’s energy consumption, emissions and on the lifetime of tyres of themselves. It is estimated that some 20% of a harbour vehicle’s energy consumption can be attributed to the rolling resistance of its tyres. In addition, a tyre inflated to 70% of its recommended air pressure can have its lifetime cut by as much as 50%.
Addressing these critical issues, the new information paper – developed by PEMA’s Environment and Safety Committees – provides practical advice on the main types of tyres available for port equipment, the most common causes of damage and loss, and how to reduce costs, loss and accidents through correct selection, inspection and maintenance.

'Our goal with this latest information paper is to assist port professionals in making better-informed decisions about tyre purchases, helping them to cut costs, emissions and energy consumption, and preventing avoidable accidents,' says Ottonel Popesco, President of PEMA.

The new report is the latest in a series of information papers to be published by PEMA and complements existing briefings covering container yard automation, e-RTGs, container weighing technology and other key issues. It is available for free download here.