PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten on July 18 welcomed three new recruits to its division St. Maarten Harbour Crane Company after they successfully completed their certification course to join the crane team.
Four senior crane operators also took a refresher course and training. The trainings started on June 13 and were completed July 18 with all crane operators receiving certification. The training was carried out by Global Port Training certified crane trainer Gunther Dierckx. The crane operators work under Crane Operator Supervisor Romeo Gumbs.
The new crane operators are: Edwin Haynes, Eugenio Jones, and Robby Smith. The senior crane operators who followed the refresher course were Romeo Gumbs, Yevgeny Andy Daflaar, Jerry Nicholson, and Michel Edwards.
The training took place using the port’s Gottwald Mobile Crane, the largest in the North Eastern Caribbean.
The partnership between Port St. Maarten and Global Port Training started back in 2009/2010 with the certification training of the port’s first crane operators when the crane company was formally established. Due to the successful relationship that has been developed, Global Port Training and Port St. Maarten are exploring opportunities in enhancing their working relationship.
St. Maarten continues to see positive results within its cargo numbers as it relates to transshipment cargo via Port St. Maarten – double digit growth. Based on this, and looking at vessel scheduling, there is a need to have a proper flow of professional human resources on hand and at the same time keeping them upgraded based on new working techniques and trends in containerized cargo handling technology.
Port St. Maarten Cargo crane operations staff must ensure optimal vessel turn-around time in a safe, efficient and productive manner, and keeping within operational excellence for customers. The aforementioned is also key to attracting new businesses in order to grow the transshipment business.
Port St. Maarten Cargo and Terminal Operations Manager Roger Lawrence pointed out that the cargo section at the port continues to invest in young local talent by inviting them to join the Port family.
“We emphasize and place top priority in continuous investment in existing personnel to optimize efficiency within container operations at Port St. Maarten. There is a pool of local talented people, and Port St. Maarten Management will continue to tap into this pool to fill its job openings as the company continues to grow.
“On behalf of Management, I congratulate all those who have participated in the training and I welcome the new recruits who will do an excellent job in maintaining current standards and increasing our cargo port operations where it concerns efficiency and productivity,” Cargo and Terminal Operations Manager Roger Lawrence saidon Monday.
The scope of the training is to provide the necessary knowledge and skill to handle and operate a mobile shore crane in order to load and unload containers in a safe and productive way.
The course covered: lashing factors; international signals; safety procedures; crane operation; risk detection and safety; pre-use checkup; knowledge of ship structure, cells, gliders, bays; and technical safety procedures.
