ESL Shipping and SSAB have developed a series of initiatives to promote safety in the Port of Raahe, Finland.
The basis of this cooperation lies in regular safety meetings, where both safety and operational matters are openly discussed.
“A positive cycle is created when development ideas are received by both parties with appreciation rather than resentment. The proximity of SSAB and its port not only represents a logistical advantage, but has also generated a unique and close-knit safety culture for us,” said Ari Hurula, regional director of ESL Shipping.
Key tools for safety cooperation with SSAB include the exchange of safety observations, safety walks, and regular safety and emergency drills.
“Safety is a shared responsibility. Close cooperation and regular safety meetings have improved our response time to reported incidents and have helped us anticipate situations before they escalate. We develop operations jointly and seek solutions from both sides to stay ahead in demanding environments, both in the port and on board vessels,” added Ari Harju, director of SSAB in Raahe.
The most recent example of this cooperation was a fire drill on board the vessel Haaga, carried out jointly with the Port in Raahe and the Fire Department.
The objective was for the vessel’s crew to experience the type of support that a shore-based fire department provides in the event of a fire, while improving the port fire department’s knowledge of on-board firefighting capabilities. The drill also allowed the entire port organization to practice operations in fire situations and communication between the different stakeholders.
