Cross Checks

ARPEL has fostered the implementation of cross checks since 2013 with the purpose of promoting the exchange among professionals of member companies and identifying opportunities for improvement in the operation of terminals. It also seeks to consolidate a regional group of experts in terminals operations, who can identify, share and disseminate best practices.

Cross checks consist in the verification of the degree of implementation of ARPEL Reference Manual for Terminals Operation Management to the facilities of one company by professionals from another company in a biunivocal manner. In each instance, technicians from other companies are also invited to participate as observers. The main objective is to identify gaps, opportunities and recommendations for improvement, in a collaborative exchange and enriching environment for all participants.

These assessments are made on the basis of checklists covering all key aspects of the terminals operation management, and allow analyzing each one of them in detail.

Prior to each checkup, the company must perform a "self-assessment" of its terminal based on the checklists contained in the Manual. This self-assessment will serve as a reference for the company that leads the visit. This company develops, together with the company evaluated, a technical report that summarizes the opportunities for improvement identified at the end of the checkup.

By way of example, following are some suggestions made in these reports: develop a "mooring analysis" in order to determine and establish operation parameters in the pier; review the use of gasoline engines in vessels to support the marine pollution control plan of the terminal, and evaluate the design and construction of an automation system in the fire pumps, among others.