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12 Apr 2023 - Seatrade cruise review
Seatrade cruise review
Stephen Xuereb, Chief Operating Officer, Global Ports Holding offers his unique insight.
Artificial intelligence and technology are leading the change in health, safety & security. Most ports already had technology such as intruder detection, sensors and surveillance which are today even further enhanced.
Surveillance is now sophisticated enough to incorporate facial recognition, and higher quality cameras that are sharper. Perimeter security systems have advanced capabilities and can instantly alert security teams, especially with tracking via mobile devices and advanced cyber-security solutions are also highly in use.
Through AI and analytics, port security’s work has become much more efficient. Forensic algorithms can aid analysis and search of video data, using AI to pick out information such as license plates, text, people and vehicle counting and facial recognition. Object tracking can help with port safety rules, enabling better health and safety when equipment like forklifts, trucks and cranes are being used.
As cruise lines develop new itineraries and shore excursions, health has become a very important element as well. Even today, health monitoring, cleaning and ventilation system upgrades are a part of the industry. Considering the huge impact of Covid-19, technology has been a huge boost when it comes to health practices.
GPH had already two set of codes: the GPH PTFS Code and the GPH HSE Manual. The PTFS Code applies to all employees in connection with GPH ports, passengers, partners, visitors, and security personnel thereof to all units, diverse facilities, installations, equipment, and instruments in addition to security systems as well as planning, education, operational and reporting systems.
Meanwhile the GPH Health, Safety and Environment Manual applies to GPH ports and office headquarters, with a focus on human and environment. We aim to prevent anything that may directly or indirectly affect day-to-day operational activities.
Environment
Our Environmental Policy aims to ensure compliance with environment-related laws and regulations, ethical principles in the countries where we operate, as well as determining relevant internal responsibilities and rules.
We are also ready to play our part in enabling shore power and LNG at our ports. In Valletta, we are supporting a €49.9 million initiative spearheaded by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta to develop shore-side electricity infrastructure as part of the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project. The project includes a €37m investment to provide shore power on the five main quays of Valletta’s Grand Harbour by 2023, resulting in air quality improvements with emission reduction.
In Antigua, there are plans for the installation of an LNG power plant by April 2023. In Lisbon, together with the port authority, we are in the process of carrying out a feasibility study for shore power. Recently, Barcelona signed a joint statement with the port authority and major cruise lines, to the implementation of shore power at all berths before 2030.
GPH’s network of cruise ports and the continued harnessing of global best practices from its network and the global standards it allows us to set across health & safety, and security are critical to the continued success of GPH. This success also relies on continuing to work collaboratively with all stakeholders. GPH and the cruise industry can only continue to meet the challenges of tomorrow if we continue working closely together today.
12 Apr 2023
Seatrade cruise review
Stephen Xuereb, Chief Operating Officer, Global Ports Holding offers his unique insight.
Artificial intelligence and technology are leading the change in health, safety & security. Most ports already had technology such as intruder detection, sensors and surveillance which are today even further enhanced.
Surveillance is now sophisticated enough to incorporate facial recognition, and higher quality cameras that are sharper. Perimeter security systems have advanced capabilities and can instantly alert security teams, especially with tracking via mobile devices and advanced cyber-security solutions are also highly in use.
Through AI and analytics, port security’s work has become much more efficient. Forensic algorithms can aid analysis and search of video data, using AI to pick out information such as license plates, text, people and vehicle counting and facial recognition. Object tracking can help with port safety rules, enabling better health and safety when equipment like forklifts, trucks and cranes are being used.
As cruise lines develop new itineraries and shore excursions, health has become a very important element as well. Even today, health monitoring, cleaning and ventilation system upgrades are a part of the industry. Considering the huge impact of Covid-19, technology has been a huge boost when it comes to health practices.
GPH had already two set of codes: the GPH PTFS Code and the GPH HSE Manual. The PTFS Code applies to all employees in connection with GPH ports, passengers, partners, visitors, and security personnel thereof to all units, diverse facilities, installations, equipment, and instruments in addition to security systems as well as planning, education, operational and reporting systems.
Meanwhile the GPH Health, Safety and Environment Manual applies to GPH ports and office headquarters, with a focus on human and environment. We aim to prevent anything that may directly or indirectly affect day-to-day operational activities.
Environment
Our Environmental Policy aims to ensure compliance with environment-related laws and regulations, ethical principles in the countries where we operate, as well as determining relevant internal responsibilities and rules.
We are also ready to play our part in enabling shore power and LNG at our ports. In Valletta, we are supporting a €49.9 million initiative spearheaded by the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Infrastructure Malta and Transport Malta to develop shore-side electricity infrastructure as part of the Grand Harbour Clean Air Project. The project includes a €37m investment to provide shore power on the five main quays of Valletta’s Grand Harbour by 2023, resulting in air quality improvements with emission reduction.
In Antigua, there are plans for the installation of an LNG power plant by April 2023. In Lisbon, together with the port authority, we are in the process of carrying out a feasibility study for shore power. Recently, Barcelona signed a joint statement with the port authority and major cruise lines, to the implementation of shore power at all berths before 2030.
GPH’s network of cruise ports and the continued harnessing of global best practices from its network and the global standards it allows us to set across health & safety, and security are critical to the continued success of GPH. This success also relies on continuing to work collaboratively with all stakeholders. GPH and the cruise industry can only continue to meet the challenges of tomorrow if we continue working closely together today.
