Maintenance given short shrift in recession

The research shows that more than a third of operators have noticed that maintenance levels have decreased as a result of budget pressures over the last two years.

Richard Hepworth, managing director, Trelleborg Marine Systems, said: “Despite all the best intentions, the reality is that port owners are not always prioritising investment in the things that will lower downtime, reduce costs and improve efficiency of their operations over the long term.

“In the current climate, the financial pressures on ports to lower costs are considerable. But the industry must resist the temptation to do business with low grade suppliers delivering cheap, unreliable mission critical equipment. This can only be achieved if ports, and other decision makers in the supply chain, put short term savings to one side and focus on the bigger picture.”