"revolutionary'', according to the company that provides the manpower and equipment to run the port.

The dock inquiry report released late last week recommended, among other things, loosening Stevedoring Services grip on the profitable contract to operate the docks.

The report suggested the Corporation of Hamilton buy the expensive cranes and other equipment used on the Hamilton docks. This would end "the stigma of a monopolistic operation''.

The only equipment is now owned by Stevedoring Services -- giving the company a tremendous leg-up whenever the contract is up for renewal.

Anyone else interested in bidding for the contract had difficulty explaining how they would obtain the heavy equipment to do the job. And some importers had also expressed concern that it left them, and Bermuda, in a helpless position if Stevedoring Services suddenly pulled out.

"The recommendations are quite revolutionary,'' Stevedoring Services managing director Mr. Michael Lohan said, "and we feel that without careful study it would be incorrect to comment on them at this time.

"However, what we would like to say is that anything that can be done to improve the service to users at the port is welcome.'' The new system of ownership suggested in the report "is quite revolutionary for Bermuda, but is a system in use in other ports around the world,'' he said.

"In our case, because we have a major investment in equipment which we must protect, the concept needs very careful examination. However, we do believe that the problem could be resolved.'' Mr. Bobby Rego, head of the Chamber of Commerce Sales Division, called the report "positive''.

The idea of moving the warehouse for breaking up container loads away from the docks "sounds like a good idea.'' The consultants calculated this would eliminate about 100 delivery trucks a day from Front Street traffic.

And he was also enthusiastic about the proposal to get all container truck parking off Front Street and onto the docks.

He also approved of recommendations to reduce noise from the docks and to improve their appearance.

These included suggestions to put better mufflers on the heavy motorised equipment on the docks, reduce the volume of the beepers that sound when cranes and top loaders reverse, replace white fluorescent lighting with softer lighting when work is not going on at night, and to create a "facade'' of some kind to better shield the docks from Front Street.

Mr. Rego added: "I guess the other real impressive point was the cost of this, and how they proposed to service this additional cost, by putting a $30 to $40 surcharge on each container -- which at the end of the day, when you look at the value of a container, is peanuts.''