Limassol’s container terminal staged its first large-scale emergency readiness exercise last Thursday, simulating the rescue of an injured person from a height of 70 metres on a crane bridge, according to a press release by Eurogate CTL. The exercise involved staff from Eurogate CTL, members of the special disaster response unit EMAK and the Limassol Fire Service.
Rescuers used specialised rescue harnesses in combination with a 60-metre telescopic platform operated by the Limassol Provincial Fire Service. The terminal’s emergency protocol was activated throughout. The high altitude and limited access points made the operation particularly demanding, the press release says.
“The successful outcome of this difficult and high-risk undertaking is the result of the joint effort and coordination between Eurogate CTL, EMAK and the Fire Service,” said Alexandros Demetriades, Operations Director of Eurogate CTL. The outcome will be evaluated with a view to continuous improvement and full readiness in the event of a real incident, he added.
EMAK Commander Charalambos Charalambous said the exercise confirmed the unit’s readiness for complex industrial environments. “Our joint action ensures that, in the event of a real incident, our response will be immediate, effective and above all safe for everyone,” he said. “The Fire Service’s policy is investment in modern equipment, continuous training and joint training — pillars that guarantee the safety of citizens and workers in our country’s strategic infrastructure.”
Sokratis Christodoulou, Safety Officer at Eurogate CTL, said ensuring the health and safety of employees is the company’s highest priority and that all necessary measures are taken to that end, according to the press release.
Eurogate CTL manages the container terminal at Limassol port and employs 200 people in Cyprus. According to the press release, its parent, the EUROGATE Group, is the largest independent container terminal operator in Europe, handling around 11 million TEUs across 12 terminals in Germany, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Cyprus and Egypt.