Company in Gulf clean-up

Apr 21 2008 Evening Gazette

THORNABY-based Cleveland Cascades has won its biggest contract yet, which will see it clean up the Port of Aqaba.

The company, which produces a unique loading system that allows dust-free handling of dry bulk materials without the need for suction, has seen demand for its products grow as pressure increases for pollution solutions in environmentally sensitive areas of the world.

Founder, Ian Barnard, said growth in the industry was driven by the ‘three Ps’ - People plus Problem equals Pressure.

“If you have a problem in the Australian Outback, there are no people so no pressure,” he said.

“But the pressure is increasing noticeably now and we are having to up our game slightly as a result,” he added. “It’s no longer enough to supply a solution, you have to guarantee it and demonstrate an improvement in the environment.”

The latest contract from the Port of Aqaba authority follows a similar commission on the Elat side of the Gulf on instruction from the Israeli government. Dust generated by the ports had been settling on the sea and killing underwater coral. Aqaba’s tourist industry was suffering as a result.

“By the time we’ve finished, we’ll have cleaned up the Gulf completely,” said Mr Barnard.

The company has also been active in Casablanca, where dust pollution from the world’s biggest exporter of fertiliser was so bad “the first time I flew over it, I could see the dust from the aeroplane”, said Mr Barnard. “They have four big ships loading in tandem. We won the contract to put in a chute for one of the loaders that killed the dust problem stone dead. We’re just about to receive the contract for the other three.”