APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd region of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has adopted the global total productive maintenance (TPM) programme, with an aim to achieve a fully-efficient, zero-breakdown port.

This international best practice, which focuses on improving production through equipment effectiveness, has enabled APM Terminals Bahrain to successfully improve reliability and cost reduction initiatives by 15 per cent for KBSP, within just 12 months of its initial implementation phase, resulting in better time-bound service for its customers, said a statement from the company.

The TPM framework usually based on an eight pillar framework is applied across the port’s equipment to achieve zero breakdowns, accidents and damages, together with extensive training of the port’s operational and technical staff to help them understand their equipment better and how to tackle the maintenance of major machines at the port.

For KBSP, APM Terminals Bahrain has undertaken the traditional TPM 5s model, to streamline its maintenance operations with an aim to create a clean and well-organised environment while improving equipment reliability.

As part of the roll-out, over 130 APM Terminals Bahrain employees across operational, technical and other teams have been empowered with new techniques to learn proactive and preventive equipment maintenance.

Through this, APM Terminals Bahrain aims to further integrate collective talent of all departments for major improvements in equipment operations.

Furthermore, the ongoing TPM implementation has significantly reduced the average monthly number of breakdowns, with 40 per cent reduction in associated breakdown costs within 12 months.

In effect, 45 of the port’s major machines have been under review with more than 60 per cent of the detected abnormalities rectified and mean time between failures increased by 35 per cent as an average for most of the equipment, resulting in higher equipment reliability and availability.

More importantly, APM Terminals’ operations and safety of its workforce go hand in hand with the TPM process key to eliminating potential health and safety risks, thereby resulting in a safer workplace.

Mark Hardiman, CEO/managing director of APM Terminals Bahrain, said: “We have embarked on a journey to build a sustainable culture of operational productivity, and have started to witness positive impact on the port working, possible due to seamless teamwork across various departments.”

“Moreover, this is helping us to realise our long-term commitment to drive process improvements, enhance safety and environmental responsiveness and guide us to work towards making Khalifa Bin Salman Port, a fully-efficient and zero-breakdown port,” he added.