Unite convenor at the port and Unite executive member for docks, Andy Green, said:
“A close and loving family have lost a husband and father and his colleagues have lost a truly wonderful friend. They only want to help in this tragedy and to learn what happened and why, that isn’t too much to ask.

“Our members are deeply shocked that the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) has not responded to calls from Unite representatives at the port to launch an investigation, and that the company has chosen not to conduct a joint investigation alongside the Unite safety representatives, as set out in the company’s own Health and Safety Policy.

“We are at a loss then to know why the HSE will not speak to us, their behaviour is nothing short of shameful. However, we have been touched by the kind words of condolence from dockworkers in every port throughout the UK. Our union will always fight for truth and justice and to help the loved ones left behind who have to bear the real burden of workplace deaths.”

Speaking on National Inspection Day (26th October), which is supported throughout Europe, Unite’s national officer for docks, Julia Long, called for health and safety action across all ports to reflect the dangers within the port industry. She said: “The government has set the ports as a ‘low risk’ industry. This tragic incident shows that the government needs to have a rethink on their position. And we are calling for the company to carry out a full investigation with our health and safety reps fully involved.

“Unite will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to understand how this terrible accident was able to happen. We now call on the HSE and port management to work with us and immediately launch an urgent joint investigation into what happened.”

The high-energy CX-Mobile G3 produces the high-quality images required for accelerated and accurate cargo screening in a flexible platform suitable for a broad range of security and customs applications.

“We are pleased to announce the sale of our new third-generation mobile X-ray system,” said Thomas M. Ripp, president of L-3 Security & Detection Systems. “The G3 delivers unprecedented life-cycle cost benefits in a lightweight, road-ready platform that a single person can operate.”

The CX-Mobile G3 sets a new standard for high-energy, mobile X-ray design. The interior layout can be customized to suit varied concepts of operation and provides for the co-location of driver, operator and image analyst to enhance communication. Manufactured with corrosion-resistant materials, the CX-Mobile G3 is the lightest high-energy mobile screening solution available and features a boom that can scan even the largest road legal vehicles. With the ‘engine off’ feature during scanning, the CX-Mobile G3 consumes less fuel and delivers significant life-cycle cost savings compared to existing systems.

Like all L-3 SDS cargo platforms, the CX-Mobile G3 is powered by L-3’s best-in-class ClearView™ Imaging System and the new ClearView Workstation, which seamlessly integrates data from multiple X-ray systems and a host of other sensors, such as radiation detectors.

“The Port of Savannah plays an integral role in attracting new locations and the expansion of existing companies in Georgia,” said Gov. Deal. “This region serves as a focal point of Georgia’s highly efficient logistics system, providing companies with global access to their customers in markets around the world.”

An expansion of the Panama Canal, due for completion in 2014, will significantly lower the cost per container compared to current Panamax vessels. Delivering decreased cost per container will help lower the bottom line for the 21,000 U.S. businesses that import or export cargo through Georgia’s ports.

“Considering the importance of the Port of Savannah and its Savannah Harbor Expansion Project in the logistics chain and in the ‘All-Water Route,’ we look forward to seeing their infrastructure project completed and continuing our partnership,” said ACP Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta.

The GPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are working to deepen the river from its current 42-foot depth to as much as 48 feet in order to more efficiently handle the larger vessels.

Georgia has already committed $134 million to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. Gov. Deal has proposed another $46.7 million in his FY2013 budget.

“Preparing for the future, even in uncertain times, is the best formula for success, and our partners here today also clearly understand this,” Foltz said. “Our plans to accommodate future growth will ensure that the state of Georgia and its deepwater ports are prepared to advance economic development and opportunity.”

Joining Gov. Deal, Foltz and Alemán Zubieta were Terry Bunch, director of  Logistics and Customer Service at Rayonier; Chris Swartz, director of Global Transportation & Logistics at AJC International; Rick Gabrielson, director of International Logistics, Target; Mercedes Hernandez Garner, manager of purchasing at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia; Chris Parvin, vice president of Marine Operations, Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Michelle Livingstone, vice president of transportation, The Home Depot.

“Deepening the Port of Savannah – one of the most important and productive civil works projects in the country – will maintain and create jobs and commerce throughout the nation, while significantly reducing transportation costs for U.S. shippers,” said GPA’s Chairman of the Board Alec L. Poitevint. “As the Southeast’s gateway to the world, our harbor must be able to accommodate these vessels without tidal restrictions in order to efficiently serve global commercial demands.”

A 6% rise in oil and gas volumes compensated for the decline seen since the start of the year in the general cargo and dry bulk sectors, which continue to be hit by the world economic slowdown.  The overall total compared with a 1% downturn at other major French ports but lagged behind the European average 3.6% growth for the period.

Looking ahead, however, the Marseilles Fos port authority said the return of three shipping lines since May, the projected return of a fourth line and a string of new arrivals at the Distriport logistics zone – including Maison du Monde, Mattel, GCA and Mediaco – was a sign of confidence that promised increased growth in the coming months. 

General cargo reached 11.65MT, down 4% on a particularly dynamic period last year.  Container traffic, accounting for almost 7MT of the total, fell 6% in unit terms to 704,800 teu due to losing 35,000 teu through strike action in early 2011 over national retirement age reforms.  Conventional trades, strongly dependent on steel products, fell 11% to 1.48MT but ro-ro traffic was stable on 3.22MT.   

The six-point increase in oil and gas throughput to 44.8MT was marked by a 35% rise in LNG to 5.3MT and a 30% improvement in LPG to 1.6MT.  Crude imports for national refineries slipped 2% on 21.6MT, but South European Pipeline deliveries were up 13% on 6.8MT and refined products gained 5% to 9.5MT.  Growth since July saw chemical and agro liquid bulks to a 3% increase on 2.65MT, helped by demand for biofuels and the reopening of the Arkema chemicals plant after a five-yearly maintenance shutdown.

Dry bulks – dominated by raw materials imports for the steel industry – were down 18% at 7.3MT for the period, although an Arcelor foundry that had been shut down since December came back into operation in mid-September and boosted the month-on-month result by 35%.      

Passenger numbers totalled 1.93 million with an 11% rise in both the ferry and cruise sectors, which handled 1.31m and 0.62m respectively.  The ferry total was marked by a spectacular 31% increase in Corsica traffic.  Numbers were down 14% for Algeria and 20% for Tunisia but are expected to improve with the stabilisation of the political situation in these countries.