Dual testing is important for berthing and docking materials

Despite these results, it appears that the good intentions of those responsible for the procurement of berthing and docking products are not translating into best practice, with a quarter of respondents admitting to being concerned only with price rather than where a product comes from.

Richard Hepworth, managing director of Trelleborg Marine Systems said of the results: “Ports and contractors need to ensure that adequate testing has taken place to ensure that the International Navigation Association PIANC guidelines have been met, and that test certification applies to all factories, processes and products – not just one location or component of a product range.”

“PIANC certification is not regulated so you need to check all documentation carefully and ask suppliers for clarification over PIANC type approvals. Ignoring this can be costly and damaging in terms of reputational risk when products fail,” he added.