Mediterranean container port orders 24 automated mooring units in multi-million Euro deal

23 Jun 2011 - AtoN and Mooring/Berthing, Port Planning

• 24 Cavotec MoorMaster™ MM200C automated mooring units to be installed at Mediterranean container port

A major container port in the Mediterranean has placed an order for 24 MoorMaster™ MM200C automated mooring units from Cavotec, in a multi-million Euro deal.

Under the contract, Cavotec will manufacture, engineer, install and commission the MoorMaster units, which are specifically designed for use in container port applications, and will be implemented on an exposed berth at the sea port.

The project is one of the largest Cavotec has registered to date for its automated mooring unit equipment, and will be the second implementation of MM200Cs units at a dedicated container port since the Port of Salalah in Oman for placed an order of 12 of the units, in 2009.

“This major project highlights the exceptional versatility of MoorMaster. In light of our recent successes with the technology in other applications such as bulk handling, I’m very pleased to see a new MoorMaster project with the container industry,” said Ottonel Popesco, Cavotec CEO.

The MoorMaster units are mounted on, or recessed in, the quayside and moor and release vessels using remote-controlled vaccum pads.

Automated mooring eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines, and is able to moor and release vessels in seconds, which improves safety and operational efficiency, and also enables ports to make infrastructure savings.

“The degree of automation and associated safety and productivity gains that MoorMaster offers represents a genuine step-change in mooring operations,” said Patrick Rosenwald, Managing Director of Cavotec MoorMaster.

To date, MoorMaster automated mooring units have performed more than 40,000 mooring operations, with a 100% safety record, at ferry, bulk handling, Ro-Ro, container and lock applications around the world.