Crane order for bulk carriers

Chinese shipyard Yangzijiang has ordered hatch covers and cranes for five 62,000 dwt open hatch bulk carriers from marine cargo and offshore load handling specialist MacGregor. Equipment deliveries will start in 2018 and continue until 2019.

The order comprises the delivery of 20 cranes (four per vessel) and the design of key hatch cover components. Each crane will be fitted with an active rotation control (ARC) system which MacGregor said stabilises and automatically rotates a load in the air. To do this, the system has an automatic swivel control that maintains the cargo’s position during the entire operation, stated MacGregor. When activated, cargo positioning times can be shortened by up to 30 percent, the company claimed. Shorter positioning times and a smooth drive lower energy consumption and increase efficiency, the company added.

“We want to help our customers succeed,” said Leif Byström, senior vice president, cargo handling, MacGregor. “Our commitment to this success is MacGregor’s long track record in engineering safe and efficient solutions for cargo handling and stowage. Our ARC system enables faster load handling, reduces cargo damage and delivers considerable energy savings.”