As the push to decarbonize ports and terminals accelerates, interest is growing in adopting battery-powered e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motorbikes as alternatives to traditional diesel-powered vehicles. While these electric vehicles offer a cheaper, cleaner option, cargo handling insurance specialist TT Club warns that their integration into logistics facilities presents significant safety and operational risks.

Read also: Reducing Carbon Footprints: How Logistics Can Support Green Building Initiatives

Challenges in Terminal Design and Traffic Management

Ports and logistics facilities are primarily designed to accommodate large cargo vehicles and heavy equipment. Introducing smaller, battery-powered personal vehicles into these environments creates challenges due to their lower visibility and vulnerability. Traffic layouts, road conditions, and the overall infrastructure in terminals are tailored for robust machinery, not for lightweight, two-wheeled vehicles.

Neil Dalus, TT Club’s Risk Assessment Manager, highlights the inherent dangers posed by terminal surfaces: “Designed to withstand high volumes and heavy loads, terminal pavements often suffer wear and tear, leading to uneven surfaces. For smaller wheeled vehicles, these conditions are hazardous. Rail crossings, spills, and wet surfaces exacerbate the risk, especially for two-wheeled vehicles that lack the stability of their four-wheeled counterparts.”

Safety Measures and Planning

The addition of e-bikes and similar vehicles also blurs the boundaries between different user groups, such as pedestrians and cargo-handling equipment. TT Club recommends enhanced traffic safety planning, including:
– Licensing and training programs for operators.
– Mandating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
– Redesigning traffic layouts to accommodate diverse vehicle types.

Fire Risks in Charging and Maintenance

The increased adoption of electric vehicles brings another pressing issue: fire risks during charging. TT Club emphasizes the need for:
– Comprehensive due diligence in vehicle and charging station procurement.
– Rigorous fire risk assessments to determine the safest locations for charging points.

Balancing Innovation and Safety

While e-bikes and similar vehicles contribute significantly to cost savings and emissions reductions, their integration must be carefully managed. Dalus concludes, “Battery-powered personal transport vehicles offer substantial benefits, but their adoption requires meticulous planning and risk management. Only by addressing these concerns can we balance innovation with safety and achieve a cleaner, more sustainable working environment in the cargo handling industry.”

As the logistics sector continues its journey toward greener operations, port and terminal operators must navigate these challenges to ensure that sustainability efforts do not come at the expense of safety and operational efficiency.

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