A range of equipment is used in stevedoring operations, including various types of cranes, forklift trucks, straddle carriers and other gear needed to load and unload the various types of cargoes that move through Australian ports each year.
For some types of equipment an operating license is required. This includes derrick cranes, non-slew mobile cranes, portal boom cranes, tower cranes, forklift trucks, boom type elevated work platforms, dozers, front end loader /(skid steer types),front end loaders, and excavators.
Workers in the Stevedoring Sector usually work outdoors in ports, container terminals and the holds of ships. They work in all weather conditions, except very strong winds, and may have to work with a range of goods either in bulk, packaged or in containers. Apart from workers directly involved in loading and unloading operations, career opportunities exist in the stevedoring sector for staff involved in controlling and managing stevedoring operations, the tracking of cargo and goods, and safety management, training, and quality assurance functions.
