Development of a computerized maintenance management system for dry bulk handling equipment to enhance availability performance at Tanzania Ports Authority: The case study of Dar es Salaam Port

Abstract

The availability of dry bulk handling equipment is challenge in the Dar es Salaam port. The engineering management of Dar es Salaam port is facing high downtimes of the equipment due to frequent breakdowns of dry bulk handling equipment which reduces the availability performance of handling equipment. This study therefore, was set out to develop a maintenance management system for enhancing availability of dry bulk handling equipment at Dar es Salaam Port. To accomplish this aim, necessary information and data were collected through literature review, observation, documentary review and questionnaires. The collected data were analysed using computer software: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 in which Linear Regression model was applied and the mean used to rank the identified factors affecting current maintenance management strategies of the handling equipment. The results of the study have identified factors affecting current maintenance strategies of dry bulk handling in the Dar es Salaam port. The study identified five factors with their coefficient, including: Effective maintenance of equipment (-.009), Availability of spare parts (-.053), Effective communication information sharing (-.001), Negligence of warning sign and alarm of the equipment (-0.004), Usage equipment (-.001), Technical and operators training (.247), Availability manpower (.012). From these factors the availability performance model was developed with R2=0.841 which indicates that 84.1% of the variation in equipment availability performance is explained by the independent variables and effective maintenance management system for dry bulk handling equipment was developed. In order to improve effectiveness of the current maintenance management strategies, adaption of developed availability performance and effective maintenance system to the Dar es Salaam port is recommended. In their adaption, the port management could establish and clearly define equipment maintenance management policy and strategies , ensuring the availability of maintenance historical data for review previous maintenance schedule and planning for attending preventive maintenance of equipment, effective communication between maintenance personnel and user operational department, supervision of maintenance practices for monitoring and controlling work, and to monitor equipment age for controlling life span in order to reduce frequency breakdowns.