CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
The high-value programmes for the Annual ABTO Bulk Terminals Conference are designed for all those involved in the transportation, storage and handling of dry bulk materials and commodities.
Previous events: Please click here for links to the videos of Bulk Terminals 2021 Riga ONLINE, and here for the links to the webinars we ran in 2020 as well as the brochures for previous Bulk Terminals conferences.
Bulk Terminals Riga 2022: This year we are guests of our host port the Freeport of Riga Authority in Latvia, at their conference centre. Since Amsterdam in 2019 this will be the first time we will all meet physically.
The conference always sets the scene with an analysis of bulk markets. It continues with a full programme focused on the concerns of operators, each year offering sound practical solutions for improving safety, streamlining operations and ensuring environmental protection. Digitalisation, the cyber threat, development opportunities and naturally the ongoing effect of covid-19 on bulk terminal operations will also be covered this year.
Given the importance to Latvian and other Baltic ports of transit cargoes, rail and transport connectivity will be covered as well in Bulk Terminals Riga 2022 – especially given the impact the conflict in Ukraine has had.
Disputes with origins in political disagreements can affect the fortunes of port and terminals. China’s dispute with Lithuania has regional and EU implications. In late 2020 China stopped buying Australian coal. Subsequently the Australians found new markets. Most recently Chinese exports of sand to Taiwan have stopped.
Who should join us? The Annual ABTO Bulk Terminals Conferences are designed for all those involved in the transportation, storage and handling of bulk commodities. As well as terminals and ports we welcome equipment and service suppliers, professional advisors and academics to the conference. Indeed, ABTO feels strongly it is only through the interaction with these others that bulk terminals will achieve increased operational efficiencies, together with safety and environmental compliance.
Networking: As well as a full programme of presentations, panels and case studies, by popular request this year Bulk Terminals will include a terminal visit. We are delighted to be the guests of Rīgas Universālais Termināls – Riga Universal Terminal (RUT). As well as the valuable networking opportunities afforded by the visit to RUT, there will be a boat tour of Riga Port with lunch on board thanks to the generosity of the Freeport of Riga Authority, followed by a visit to the port Vessel Traffic Services Centre.
After the proceedings at the end of the first day, the Freeport Authority have kindly organised a tour of Historic Riga, culminating in the conference reception at the Riga Museum of History and Navigation – and for arrivals on Monday before conference they are also hosting drinks in the Foyer and Winter Garden of their conference venue overlooking the Riga City Canal.
Bulk Terminals 2022 Riga – the only event all those concerned with bulk terminals need to attend this year. To register to attend please click here
The Annual Conference of the Association of Bulk Terminal Operators (ABTO) – the only event aimed at the entire bulk terminals industry
11-12 October 2022: Freeport of Riga Authority Conference Centre, Latvia
PROGRAMME & CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
PRE-CONFERENCE NETWORKING MONDAY 10 OCTOBER
ICE BREAKER DRINKS
18:00 Foyer and Winter Garden of The Freeport of Riga Authority conference centre overlooking the Riga Canal
Kindly hosted by the Freeport of Riga Authority
CONFERENCE DAY ONE TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2022
08:15 Registration and refreshments
OPENING WELCOME ADDRESSES
09:00 Simon Gutteridge BA Law (Hons), FIMarEST, Chief Executive, ABTO
09:05 The Honourable Tālis Linkaits, Minister for Transport, Republic of Latvia
09:15 Viesturs Zeps, Chairman of the Board, Freeport of Riga Authority
09:20 Ansis Zeltiņš, CEO, Freeport of Riga Authority
09:25 Conference Chairman’s opening remarks
Professor Mike Bradley BSc Hons, PhD, Director, The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, University of Greenwich; Chairman, Solids Handling and Processing Association (SHAPA) and the ABTO Members’ Advisory Panel
BULK MARKETS
Session Chairman: Rahul Sharan
09:30 Effects of the conflict in Ukraine on grain markets
Rahul Sharan, Lead Analyst Bulk Shipping Research, Drewry
09:55 Prospects for the minerals dry bulk market in 2022 and beyond
William Fray, Director, Maritime Strategies International (MSI)
10:20 The future of coal – short, medium and long term
Basil M Karatzas, CEO, Karatzas Marine Advisors & Co
10:45 Biofuel markets
Speaker to be confirmed
11:05 Panel discussion and questions
Previous speakers and chairman
11:15 Refreshments
OPERATIONS, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEVEPLOPMENTS
11:45 Dangers of value engineering
Professor Mike Bradley
12:05 The benefits of bespoke designing for purpose
Lodovico Bernardi, Director Asia Pacific, Bedeschi SpA
12:30 Technical routes to improved OPEX
Speaker from Bruks Siwertell
11:55 Panel discussion and questions
Previous speakers and chairman
13:05 Lunch
14:05 CASE STUDY: Teesworks – the largest development in Europe
Garry O’Malley, Operations Director, Teesworks and Chairman, ABTO Technical Committee
14:30 CASE STUDY: Operation improvements for better efficiency at Puerto Panu
Cristian Valenzuela, Gerente, Puerto Panul S.A.
14:55 Benefits of containerised bulk handling
Frank van Laarhoven, Senior Sales Manager Europe, RAM Spreaders
15:20 Utilising the Delphi Technique when making major decisions – achieving the best outcome
Ian Mills, Assistant Lecturer, Solent University and Director, Lawrence
Mills Consulting
15:35 Refreshments
16:05 Current operational issues in the present climate
Vladislavs Jakovļevs, CEO, Riga Bulk Terminal
16:30 Rail connectivity
Ģirts Bramans, Head of Strategic Stakeholders and Communication,
Rail Baltica
16:55 Panel discussion and questions
Previous speakers and chairman
CONFERENCE PANEL DEBATE
17:05 Conflict and the effect of the pursuit of political objectives on bulk trades – international, regional and EU implications
Chairman, speakers and invited guests including The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Latvia His Excellency Olexandr Mishchenko
EVENING SESSION
Kindly hosted byThe Freeport of Riga Authority
17:40 Tour of Historic Riga followed by the Conference Reception in the Riga Museum of History and Navigation
CONFERENCE DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER 2022
08:30 Refreshments
09:00 Conference Chairman’s opening remarks
Professor Mike Bradley
DIGITALISATION
09:05 What are the challenges and understanding where digitalisation can improve performance
Nick Chubb, Managing Director, Thetius
THE CYBER THREAT
09:30 Identifying where the risks come from and managing the risks
Nick Chubb, Managing Director, Thetius
09:55 Panel discussion and questions
Previous speakers and chairman
SAFETY AND RISK
10:00 Safety first
Richard Steele, Head of ICHCA International
10:25 Risk issues
Julien Horn, Senior Underwriter, TT Club
10:50 Panel discussion and questions
Previous speakers and chairman joined by Aleksandrs Abuzjarovs, Chairman, Marine Services Group
11:00 Refreshments
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
11:25 Hydrogen – a way to achieve decarbonisation targets
Mériadec Le Mouillour, Directeur Général, CCIM Bretagne Ouest
11:50 Monitoring emissions
Raphael Picard, VP Sales EMEA, Ellona
12:15 Retrofit of the existing power supply – achieving energy savings through electrification
Malte Moeller, Project Manager, igus GmbH
12:40 Panel discussion and questions
12:45 Chairman’s summary of conference deliberations
HARBOUR BOAT TOUR, PORT VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES CENTRE AND TERMINAL VISITS
13:00 Depart for boat tour of Riga Harbour and lunch on board
Kindly hosted by the Freeport of Riga Authority
14:00 Port Vessel Traffic Services Centre visit
Kindly hosted by the Freeport of Riga Authority
15:00 Bulk terminal visit
Kindly hosted by Riga Universal Terminal
16:00 Close of conference and return by coach to central Riga
To register to attend please click here
