First Bauxite is pleased to announce that its bauxite loading & port facility at Sandhills in Guyana, South America has achieved full International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) accreditation. The ISPS code is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention on maritime security and lays out minimum security arrangements for port facilities used in international trade. It also prescribes responsibilities to senior port security personnel to detect security threats and institute measures to prevent and mitigate security incidents.
The Sandhills facility is now officially part of a network of ports that work collaboratively with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), to ensure the safety and security of commercial vessels and crews that visit Guyana. First Bauxite employs dedicated port facility security officers (PFSO) responsible for the development, implementation, review and upgrading of a master port facility security plan. These PFSO’s work along with peers at other facilities to share security information, respond appropriately to heightened threat levels and ultimately spread best practice.
Achieving full ISPS compliance is the culmination of a lengthy process of security inspections, assessments, gap analyses and execution planning. It has also involved extensive staff training and the development of robust systems of record keeping. The Sandhills facility has also benefited from significant Investments in video surveillance (of critical infrastructure), site access control systems and improved signage as well as beefed up land and river security patrols. In this regard the company recognises and appreciates the guidance and assistance of MARAD and the PFSO network.
The upgraded security arrangements at the port in conjunction with existing and planned infrastructural capabilities, makes the Sandhills facility a very attractive port of loading. The facilities boast extensive inventory storage capabilities (covered & uncovered) and can turn around vessels that call at Sandhills quickly and efficiently, typically within a 24 – 48 hour window. The company dredges the river around its wharf bi-annually to maintain 6.5 metres draft at low water and has strategically positioned mooring points so that it can comfortably berth vessels up to 140 metres length and 23 metres beam. Its shiploading systems are capable of loading product at up to 6000 metric tons per weather working day (including Sundays & Holidays) into vessels with up to 10 metres air draft. This is achieved using a telescopic radial stacker that minimises the need for vessel shifting during loadout. First Bauxite remains committed to continuously developing its infrastructure, human resources and processes to ensure that Sandhills continues to be a safe, efficient and easily accessible port of call for its bulk customers and logistics partners.
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