Bromma, the world leader in crane spreaders, will deliver its first order for six units of Automated Lashing Platforms (ALPs) to the fully automated Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) in Melbourne Australia from August, 2016.
Extensive collaboration between Bromma, VICT and other involved parties to fully automate processes and communications with the crane automation, Terminal Operating System (TOS) and the ALP will allow it to become a wholly integrated part of the Neo-Panamax Ship-to-Shore (STS) crane movements.
PTI is set to launch its Terminal Automation & Training Conference on June 8, 2016, in which experts will come together to discuss the development of automation and training within container terminals.
Read more about the conference here
Manual twist-lock handling under the STS cranes during load and discharge operations is one of the areas which until now has proven most difficult to automate.
This ALP invention means human contact for twist-lock removal from heavy suspended loads, one of the most dangerous jobs within a container terminal, will be eliminated, thereby optimising workplace safety and massively reducing common injuries and the risk of potentially devastating accidents.
The ALP is the first and only system on the global market capable of fully automating this hazardous manual work for both the placement and removal of twistlocks and under-deck pins.
Anders Dømmestrup, CEO of VICT, said: “The ALP was the missing piece in our ambition to achieve the safest, most automated terminal in the world.
“Through the strong collaboration between the Bromma and VICT teams, we have managed to seamlessly integrate the ALP into our operation and we firmly believe we have the safest and most efficient pin-handling solution available on the market today.”
Peter Rydberg, Business Line Director at Bromma, said: “The confidence in our product combined with the collaborative approach VICT offered was the perfect fit and opportunity for Bromma.
“We are confident that with this revolutionary release of technology, the ALP will seamlessly integrate into VICT’s fully automated container terminal systems and demonstrate the full capability and potential of Bromma’s ALP.”
The ALP can handle 20, 40, 45 and twin 20 foot containers. When operating, it efficiently stores the twist-locks and under-deck pins within the unit for discharge and re-use when back-loading an entire vessel bay on a 14,000 TEU vessel.
The current system is tested and designed as a stand-alone unit which will sit in the back reach of the STS crane.
However, new designs show the potential for the ALP to be fully integrated to form a Crane Lashing Platform. This is natural next step, and highly possible for future development.
Fact File: In more than 50 years of continuous operations, Bromma has delivered crane spreaders to 500 terminals in 90 nations on six continents, and Bromma spreaders are in service today at 99 out of the world’s largest 100 container ports. Bromma is the industry market leader in ship-to-shore spreaders, mobile harbour crane spreaders, and yard crane spreaders.
