Dry bulk ports and terminals play a vital role in the global economy, facilitating approximately 50% of all seaborne trade on a global scale. These facilities, dedicated or multi-purpose, handle a range of dry bulk commodities such as bulk minerals, agribulks, fertilizers and biomass, and play an essential role in logistical supply chains.

The long-term trade outlook for dry bulk commodities is positive, with bulk minerals supplying the large-scale energy transition and agribulk and fertilizer products feeding the ever-increasing global population.

Whilst our experts appreciate that the productivity and efficiency of bulk terminals is determined by the infrastructure, handling equipment and operational processes; we understand the intricate details relating to cargo characteristics and supply chain challenges that each of our client’s face.

Combining our ports and maritime expertise with our diverse in-house experience in market forecasting, mine resourcing and mineral processing, industrial developments, and energy generation, we are facing the challenges across the dry bulk sector head on.

 
We have navigated our client’s business plans through the impacts of geopolitics through cargo diversification programs and optimization of operational costs. We have improved our client’s resilience through consideration of inventory and stock management strategies, with a focus on just-in-time supply chain models. We have successfully supported our clients with project funding and acquisition due diligence, and even steered our clients away from potentially poor investment and acquisition targets resulting from shortfalls in market positioning or unforeseen infrastructure investments.

Services:

• Business case development
• Operational assessments and process improvements
• Merger and acquisition due diligence
• Project finance due diligence and loan monitoring
• Expert witness

 
Climate adaption and resilience is a challenge facing all maritime transport infrastructure but is specifically relevant to dry bulk ports due to their geographical location. In recent years, extreme weather events have been causing frequent operational disruption and physical damage to dry bulk terminals and hinterland connections. We have a strong track record in modelling extreme events and climate-proofing infrastructure.

Services:

• Terminal planning (PRIME)
• Supply chain capacity analysis
• EIA studies
• Coastal modelling (including navigation, mooring and berthing studies)
• Material handling systems specification and design
• Infrastructure design
• Tender support
• Owner’s engineering and construction supervision

 
Our carbon accounting teams work together with our engineering teams to evaluate and model the carbon footprint of infrastructure options and operational strategies at the design stage. This support continues through to procurement and construction where we evaluate contractor ESG principles and the carbon footprint of design alternatives and material supply chains.

Services:

• ESG strategies, benchmarking, reporting and disclosure
• EHS due diligence
• Capacity building and training
• GHG and life-cycle assessments
• Decarbonization and net zero pathways

 
Our asset management team offers decades of experience in inspection, monitoring and delivery of rehabilitation and replacement of ports and terminal projects. We provide long-term planning across the entire asset life cycle to minimize unplanned operational downtime and ensure customer service levels are maintained at the lowest possible cost.

Services:

• Surveys
• Inspections
• Failure analysis and rehabilitation design
• Recycle, reuse and replacement plans
• Operations and maintenance budgeting
• Asset management risk and vulnerability assessment and management