[161010.EN.SEA] APMT Design Allows Two Cranes To Work Alongside Each Other

MAERSK's APM Terminals has introduced the FastNet technology which doubles shore crane productivity by having two work in adjacent bays of large containerships, thus doubling the number of cranes that can work alongside larger vessels.
Speaking to the Annual Med Freight Conference in Barcelona, APM Terminals' new terminal design and development chief Ross Clarke said crane legs dictate a minimum spacing of one bay when loading and unloading vessels, resulting in lost opportunities to maximise production. Because the crane leg span is wider than one bay, adjacent bays are not accessible while being loaded and unloaded, he said.

"Eliminating the limitation on cranes working in adjacent bays enables the number of cranes deployed on a ship to be doubled, which in turn enables overall ship exchange to be doubled, without any increase in the handling rate of individual cranes" said Mr Clarke.

The FastNet concept calls for large horizontal girders raised 50 metres above wharf level and supported by intermediate frames. The FastNet STS cranes are suspended from the girders. The cranes are similar to the
existing upper works of cranes, without the large portal frames below. As a result, the cranes are as narrow as an FEU and can work adjacent hatches.

The operational flexibility is obtained by allowing the cranes to pass the frames using a gate in the boom structure and enabling the frames to move parallel to the quay to avoid blocking ship bays. The large rail gauge of 55 metres combined with fixed openings to the yard allow for rapid and flexible transport of containers from the quay to the yard and vice versa, he said.

APM Terminals has been working on the design specifications and conducting computer simulations to perfect the technology and procedure for implementation. Patents on FastNet crane technology have been filed in 17 countries, as well as the 27-member European Union.

Source : HKSG, 16.10.10.