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Figure 2. Review of Cargo handling in Klaipeda seaport.
According cargo handling types in Klaipeda seaport one of the most handling cargo is dry
and bulk cargo: bulk cargo amounted to 36,41% the total turnover at Klaipeda seaport at
2015 (figure 2). Seaports, which handle bulk materials are facing with critical ship-to shore
transfer problems, which are far more complex comparing with ship loading or unloading of
general cargo or containers. The dry bulk cargo needs to be transported from the quayside
to the storage location and vice versa. A major environmental problem, common to all three
of these operations and unique to dry bulk cargo handling, is that of material spillage and
dust pollution. The main problem with dust pollution – it’s really hard to stop bulk cargo
dustability, most of seaport terminals don’t pay enough attention to this problem and also
don’t have integrated any technical measures which would help to reduce the negative
impact of this kind of pollution.
Dusty materials are susceptible to drift when broadcast applied. Bulk loading especially of
grains and fertilizers is a very dusty job as the airborne dust envelops working
environments, neighbourhoods, plant and machinery and the emissions cause low visibility
and dirty, dangerous and very unpleasant working conditions. Fugitive dust, for example,
can contribute to inhalation hazards, generate safety risks and also potentially create
explosions. Many other bulk materials develop fine particles during both processing and
handling and these can become airborne very easily. Some of these particles are so
lightweight that they may stay in the air for long periods of time, thereby giving them the
opportunity to migrate. The very nature of bulk material handling implies large volumes, so
these dust-generating activities have the potential to cover massive areas if not properly
monitored and managed (Portstrategy, 2013).
Cargo handling operations in seaports has two types of negative environmental
implications: implication inside port area and implication outside the port area, in addition
to important safety implications to port employees, which are nevertheless outside the
scope of port eco management. Dry bulk cargo such as grain, coal, phosphate, sulphur, etc.
may generate dust during handling. It is widely accepted that 1% of the cargo is lost in the
process of transportation. It means not only a loss in financial terms, it also means an
environmental threat since most of the product will end up in the port environment – not
only as dust and atmospheric pollution, but also as a contamination of dredged material.
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