The drive to decarbonise ports and terminals intensifies with growing interest in using battery powered e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-motorbikes. Operators are tempted by the cheaper and cleaner alternative to diesel-powered vehicles. However, TT Club warns about the significant risks associated with their use in facilities not designed to accommodate such vehicles.

Ports, terminals and logistics facilities are typically designed to accommodate large vehicles and cargo handling equipment. The introduction of smaller, more vulnerable road users like e-bikes and e-scooters presents unique challenges. These vehicles are less visible, making traffic management and the prevention of human-machine collisions much more difficult. Typically, terminal traffic layouts and pavement conditions, are designed for large vehicles and plant, not for smaller, more vulnerable battery-powered personal vehicles. 

Cargo handling insurance specialist TT Club has long-standing experience of such terminal risks, TT’s Risk Assessment Manager Neil Dalus comments on the question of paved surfaces in particular. “Designed to withstand high volumes and heavy loads, the terminal surfaces often suffer significant wear and tear, resulting in uneven road conditions. For smaller wheeled battery electric vehicles, these conditions can be hazardous. Traversing rail crossing points, especially when wet, and encountering spills of cargo or oils further increase the risk of accidents. Two-wheeled vehicles, being inherently less stable than four-wheeled vehicles, are particularly susceptible to these hazards,” he highlights, emphasizing the need for operators to take care in introducing their use.

For smaller wheeled battery electric vehicles, these conditions can be hazardous

As the use of electric personal vehicles blurs the lines between different user groups within a facility, such as pedestrians, plant and handling equipment operations, TT recommends additional terminal traffic safety planning. This should include consideration of licensing, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

Additionally, charging and maintenance of these vehicles can also present significant challenges. Emerging data indicates a higher risk of fire during the charging process, necessitating thorough due diligence in procurement of vehicles and their charging points. Proper fire risk assessments for the location of charging points is essential to mitigate these risks.

Dalus concludes, “While battery-powered personal transport vehicles offer significant benefits in terms of decarbonisation and cost-effectiveness, their integration into ports, terminals, and other logistics facilities however requires careful planning and consideration of risk. Addressing these issues will be crucial to achieving a balance between innovation and safety in the ongoing and rapidly developing drive to achieve a cleaner working environment in the cargo handling industry.”

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. Its mission is to make the industry safer, more secure and more sustainable. Established in 1968, TT Club currently services more than 1400 Members – container owners, operators, ports, terminals and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail and air. The Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. Its average annual customer retention rate is consistently over 95%, with some Members having chosen to insure with the Club for over 50 years.

Media Contact

Peter Owen
Portcare International
Tel: + 44 (0) 7710 991531
E-mail: peter@portcare.com