Doing so has the potential to extend tyre life by as much as 45%, and therefore reduce operating costs – not to mention delivery of other associated benefits.

Manufacturer Bridgestone and Britain’s largest independent industrial tyre re-processor, Vacu-Lug, agree on the point. Says Bruce Connor, Bridgestone marketing executive manager: “Improved tyre management is a critical factor in maximising tyre life,” but he sees it as a way of getting operators past the current supply  vacuum, predicted to last until at least the beginning of next year, rather than a long-term change of mindset.

Vacu-Lug suggests port operators should never buy tyres as stand-alone items, but only as part of a management contract, bundling them  together with the necessary care and maintenance to wring out the  maximum possible life.

Vacu-Lug expert Billy Dillon says: “It’s amazing to see the condition in which tyres are sometimes removed from dockside vehicles. It’s not uncommon to see one shoulder completely worn away, whilst the other has as much as 35mm of tread – half of the tyre’s life – remaining.”

That sort of wear is caused by the job crane tyres have to do. “Working on concrete, and making tight turns carrying heavy loads, asks a lot of them, but even so the wear can be equalised by proper management, like turning tyres on their rims,” he said. At about £250 a tyre, that might seem expensive, but it’s a fraction of the cost of a brand new set, which can be as much as £14,000.

A tyre can also be re-treaded to extend its life, and, depending on circumstances, that can be done as many as four times.

Correct maintenance has the potential to deliver other benefits, such as reduced vehicle downtime, reduced maintenance costs, greater vehicle stability and enhanced safety.

Mr Dillon advises: “Don’t look at outright purchase. Go to a reputable company and ask for tyres as part of a management package that includes servicing and inspection as well. Buying in to that approach will undoubtedly save money in the long run.”