Maritime Industry Briefing: Crane Safety Communication Gaps Highlighted in New Research

## Crane Operations Face Significant Communication Challenges, New Report Warns A newly released research report is drawing attention to persistent safety risks in crane operations, with findings that carry direct relevance for port terminals, shipyards, and offshore construction environments worldwide. The National Safety Council (NSC) and the NCCCO Foundation jointly published *The State of Rigging and Signaling in Crane Operations* on 22 September 2026, as part of the NSC's ongoing 'Work to Zero' initiative. The report examines how rigging practices, signaling protocols, and organisational culture collectively influence crane safety outcomes — areas of acute concern in maritime and port infrastructure settings where crane incidents can result in fatalities, cargo loss, and costly operational disruptions. According to the report, significant communication challenges exist between crane operators, riggers, and signal persons, with organisational factors compounding the risk. The research underscores that breakdowns in communication — rather than purely mechanical failure — remain a leading contributor to crane-related incidents. For port operators and terminal managers, the findings serve as a timely reminder of the importance of standardised signaling procedures and robust safety management systems. Crane operations are central to container handling, bulk cargo loading, and vessel maintenance, making communication failures in these environments potentially catastrophic. The NSC and NCCCO Foundation are expected to use the report's findings to inform updated training standards and certification requirements for crane operators and rigging personnel across industries, including maritime. --- ## Industry Notes **Infrastructure Planning:** Engineering firm Dunaway has published guidance on how early right-of-way planning can reduce risk on large infrastructure projects, a methodology with potential application to port expansion and marine terminal development. The firm's integrated approach — highlighted in the context of the Texas Department of Transportation's recently approved 2027 Unified Transportation Program, which allocates nearly $138 billion — emphasises early identification of project challenges to maintain schedule momentum. **Energy Storage:** Independent power producer Soltage reported that its '55 Drive' battery storage facility in New York City successfully discharged at full capacity during peak summer demand hours, completing its second operating season. Six additional Soltage storage projects are currently under construction in the city. Reliable grid-scale energy storage is increasingly relevant to port electrification strategies as terminals transition away from diesel-powered equipment. **Critical Minerals:** American Tungsten & Antimony Limited (ASX: AT4; OTCQB: ATALF) announced the successful production of antimony ingot at its Del Sol Hydromet Refinery in Nevada, using ore sourced from the White Spar Antimony Mine in Arizona. The milestone demonstrates a domestic U.S. mine-to-metal supply chain for antimony, a critical material used in flame retardants, batteries, and marine coatings. --- *Sources: National Safety Council, NCCCO Foundation, PR Newswire*