IN THE DOCK
LEADING FORWARD
Achim Dries recently celebrated four years as president of PEMA. He spoke to DLM about his successes to date, the key challenges facing his organisation’s members and the future of the industry.
A
chim Dries won the PEMA presidency in June 2021. Occurring at the height of the Covid pandemic, it was a digital
election, which proved fitting as digitalisation has become a major trend for PEMA members. And Dries brings the perfect skill set, as he is also CEO and managing director of VAHLE Group. “My experience at VAHLE has been instrumental in shaping my leadership at PEMA,” he says. “VAHLE’s focus on delivering innovative, reliable power and data transmission solutions for port equipment aligns closely with PEMA’s mission – to drive the advancement of port equipment technology and promote collaboration across the industry.”
Digital trend At VAHLE, he says he has witnessed firsthand the importance of integrating sustainability, digitalisation and safety into equipment design and operation. “This perspective helps me guide PEMA’s efforts to foster knowledge- sharing, standardisation and best practices that benefit all members,” he adds. PEMA’s core aim – to facilitate cooperation among manufacturers, operators and service providers to create safer, smarter and more sustainable port equipment – is a mission he deeply shares. “Bringing VAHLE’s technical expertise and market insight to the association allows me to support members navigating the industry’s complex challenges and accelerating innovation.”
He believes that digitalisation is the backbone of future-proof port operations. “From VAHLE’s perspective, the key issues include data integration across legacy systems, cybersecurity, and the lack of common standards. Many terminals still operate in silos, missing out on the efficiency gains that real-time data and connectivity can offer. “To accelerate the transition, the industry must invest in open, interoperable platforms
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Multiple challenges In addition to these major trends, port equipment manufacturers are having to navigate several other challenges at once. “Beyond sustainability and digitalisation, our members are contending with growing geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages,” says Achim. “Additionally, navigating complex regulations and ensuring system interoperability remain key challenges. “Two emerging areas demand particular
Achim Dries
and foster collaboration between technology providers, operators, and regulators. At PEMA, we support this by encouraging best practice sharing and aligning on digital strategies that enable smarter, safer and more efficient cargo handling.”
Green imperative Of course, the other major topic for PEMA members is sustainability. “Sustainability is no longer a future goal – it’s a present-day imperative,” says Achim. Key trends include electrification of port equipment, automation for greater energy efficiency and digital monitoring to optimise resource use. “At PEMA, we see strong momentum towards shore power, emission-free container handling and circular economy models,” he adds. He highlights how PEMA actively drives these
trends by facilitating knowledge exchange among members, supporting technical standards and promoting innovation through collaboration. “By connecting manufacturers, operators and stakeholders, we help shape a more sustainable and resilient port industry.”
attention: cybersecurity and the evolving fire protection standards for electric vehicles and equipment. As ports embrace automation and electrification, safeguarding operational technology from cyber threats becomes critical. Likewise, battery-powered equipment introduces new fire risks that require updated safety standards and risk management protocols.”
For cybersecurity, Achim fundamentally believes that it must be considered from the very start when designing new equipment. This is especially true for companies designing machinery such as spreaders, which are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats as technology advances. “There are standards existing with the need to be included in the design process of R&D. This is to be designed against robust attacks,” he says. PEMA will publish an information paper covering the topic of cybersecurity this summer. Additionally, Achim feels that adoption of
battery-powered technologies in port terminals significantly alters traditional risk assessments, as battery fires require a completely different response than those involving diesel engines. He highlights that this transition demands careful planning and major adjustments. “They have to have a different layout of
the terminals to make sure they can really handle a fire,” he says. “You cannot just take
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