About Dry Bulk Terminals Group

The International Dry Bulk Terminals Group (DBTG) was established at end-1998 and provides an effective forum and voice for a global, but highly fragmented, industry that is of critical importance to the seaborne trade and transportation of dry bulk commodities.

DBTG is a not-for-profit society open to all owners/operators of dry bulk terminals world-wide.

Commercial matters are not discussed.

DBTG is unique and its membership has grown year on year. Today its members operate more than 200 bulk terminals world-wide ranging in throughput capacities from less than 1mta to the largest facilities handling well over 50mta; in some cases much more.

DBTG is a signatory to the Maritime Industry Charter on Quality and has Consultative Status at the International Maritime Organization (the United Nations maritime agency). Here it works in conjunction with the Australia-headquartered Coal Export Terminal Operators Association (CETOA). In combination the members of DBTG and CETOA handle almost 1.5 billion tonnes of dry bulk cargo per year.

Most recently DBTG has developed, and enjoys, Memoranda of Understanding with:

  • Unistock is the European Association of Professional Portside Storekeepers for Agribulk Commodities
  • NAEGA is the North American Export Grains Association
  • IIMA is the International Iron Metallics Association.

Since the foundation DBTG has developed into a community where members freely exchange ideas and concerns, experience and expertise on issues such as operational safety and efficiency, performance benchmarking, technical analysis and innovation, environmental matters, operator training, as well as maritime security. In all these matters DBTG’s work programme includes initiatives of regional and global relevance

DBTG has worked to develop communication and understanding between terminals and other players in the seaborne dry bulk chain.

DBTG meetings, organised by terminal operators for terminal operators, provide a private** forum for full, frank consideration of key regional and international issues confronting the industry. (**DBTG members and guests only. NO press nor related organisations)