TOC Exclusive Interview - Achim Dries, President at PEMA 

Q: As we exit the difficult times of recent years, how has PEMA evolved and what is the relevance of the Association today for the industry?

A: “Facing the current worldwide situation, I am not convinced that we have exited the difficult times. Rather, we need to be flexible to face every change and challenge of the coming years. I am sure that the world will change in the next 15 years as much as it has in the last 100. Communication and trend identification will be key factors for success in the future. PEMA can provide a forum for communication and help its members to understand worldwide micro and macro trends for an innovative and successful future.”

Q: As our industry continually evolves, how do you see PEMA adapting to keep pace with this, to ensure it fully represents the views of port equipment manufacturers?

A: “PEMA is providing a wide range of possibilities for members to be informed about the actual trends and developments while at the same time integrating input from a wide variety of sources:

-          As PEMA has members from across the industry, we can incorporate trends and input from everyone into discussions and make them available to all members.

-          With our technical committees, we provide a platform for members to actively participate in this process.

-          We, as PEMA, publish technical papers addressing actual trends in the port industry.

-          PEMA hosts a student challenge to gain extra input from young talents.

-          During our yearly AGM we invite speakers from across the industry sector to provide our members with information lectures.

Providing all these different possibilities for our members collectively to participate in activities and gain access to developments, PEMA is for sure keeping pace with the industry trends.”

Q: Adopting sustainable practices is a huge challenge currently for the industry – what role is do you see PEMA playing in this and in future, particularly around digitalisation initiatives?

A: “As an organisation whose members are operating in a sector where sustainability has become more and more relevant, PEMA is facilitating and providing a forum for the implementation of technologies compatible with the sustainable agenda. During the pandemic, PEMA hosted webinars specifically addressing topics related to sustainability where the industry expectations were explored and where members were encouraged to present their solutions in this area. 

On the digitalisation front, the port industry has embraced new technology with the digitalisation of processes being made possible by the products and services supplied by our members.  This development is continuing apace with new innovative concepts emerging resulting from the interaction of members, the informative presentations and technical committee activities. 

PEMA provides various opportunities for exchange among the members and with specialists across the industry. Keeping track of changing requirements and being the entity providing new trends is for sure a goal for our members. PEMA provides and will provide the platform to enable members to be leading companies in shaping the industry in which we operate. The PEMA Board is composed of members from different disciplines.   PEMA can therefore assess the needs of the industry from different points of view and provide valuable input to the Association.

Summarised in one sentence: PEMA is the key enabler for members to gain insight into the development and the future requirements of the industry from different points of view in a relatively condensed forum.”

Q: What new initiatives / white papers can we expect from PEMA in the coming months?

A: “During the past twelve months, PEMA has issued five white papers on a variety of topics.   The most recent publication related to pollution in Ports associated with Buk material handling.    This paper was generated by the new PEMA technical committee formed during 2021 to deal specifically with the bulk handling port sector.  There are several new Information papers in the pipeline for 2022 relating to topics such as standards, cybersecurity and energy storage systems.

The student challenge which had to be suspended over the past two years due to the pandemic will be held again in 2022 and has been re-named as “The Ottonel Popesco Student challenge by PEMA“ acknowledging the contribution made by our late president Ottenel Popescu who has been synonymous with PEMA from the outset.   As part of the planned 2022 Autumn meeting agenda, speakers have been identified who will present a variety of relevant topics relating to the port sector including technical content.”

Q: TOC Europe is back in June 2022 and after a long and successful partnership between TOC Events and PEMA, what elements of the event are you most looking forward to participating in?

A: “We are all obviously excited and looking forward to the first post-pandemic TOC Europe. Most PEMA members will be participating and it will be a great opportunity to meet in person, network, renew contacts and learn from other industry stakeholders.

As an association, PEMA will be attending with our own booth as usual which will be a natural meeting point for members and industry players. The attendees should also not miss the opportunity to review our content in the official program.  The student challenge returns as mentioned above as well other interesting developments.” 

TOC is delighted to be welcoming PEMA and its members to TOC Europe 2022.  Offering FREE access to both its Container Supply Chain (CSC) and TECH TOC sessions, TOC Europe provides a welcome chance to re-connect, network, learn and trade once again with thousands of like-minded professionals in a COVID-safe environment.

To attend, complete your FREE visitor registration here, or alternatively learn more about the event from the official TOC Europe website here