Leading Angola terminal operator Sogester invests in new large MHC cranes and RAM’s heavy-duty spreaders to service container volume increase.
Critical to the success of the terminal is reliable spreaders. In 2019, RAM Spreaders supplied the terminal with four mobile harbour crane spreaders (MHC). Given how busy the terminal is, the spreaders suffered some heavy impacts, so the terminal’s engineering manager called RAM with some suggestions.
The changing face of Mobile Harbour Cranes Traditionally, mobile harbour cranes are mainly considered for smaller ports with lower lifting capacity and speeds. This tradition is changing with the advent of big MHC cranes, such as the LHM 600 and more recently the giant LHM 800, with larger container terminals now using these types of crane.
Listening to the customer After delivering several spreaders to Sogester terminal in 2019, RAM’s technical manager for Africa Louis Du Plessis made several upgrades to protect the spreaders integrity and further boost performance in a demanding environment.
Sogester Terminal engineering team and technical manager Adil Bennani identified some aspects of the design that required improvements to give the spreaders increased reliability.
After listening carefully to Sogester, spending time in the workshop and observing vessel loading, Louis and Adil came up with several changes to improve the performance of the spreaders. Louis and the RAM design team got straight to work to develop a new design for the 2750 model heavy-duty MHC spreader.
Adil commented after the consultation “Louis arrived on site and we both carefully analysed the problems together. Louis listened to our concerns, and we are really pleased with the new heavy-duty design.
The Tuas mega terminal are on their way to becoming the world’s largest fully automated terminal with a new order of pioneering spreaders from RAM.
Located in the southwestern corner of Singapore, the Tuas terminal will be the world’s largest fully automated terminal, when completed in 2040. RAM has been awarded the contract of providing the terminal with over 125 spreaders. The innovative spreaders will help the port become a global hub for container cargo handling.
Costing over 20 billion dollars, the mega port will boast an impressive 26km of deep-water berths, which will cater to the demands of the world’s largest container ships. Moreover, as the port is built upon a greenfield site, it aims to boost environmental sustainability, while still increasing their efficiency and productivity. It is clear, the port has a monumental task to meet all the aims. The pioneering RAM spreaders will be there to assist the port in achieving their targets.
RAM is proud to be awarded 40 heavy-duty hydraulic twin lift spreaders with Shock Absorb™ impact suppression system for the Double Trolley Quay Cranes. The heavy-duty spreader is designed for ease of maintenance and long service life while operating in a demanding port environment. The spreaders include a number of design improvements as a result of the close consultation with the customer. Thus, ports, like PSA, are able to invest more in terminal growth due to the reliability and lifespan of their lifting equipment.
Keith Koh, senior manager- RAM Spreaders, comments, “We are very pleased and humbled to get such a large order of spreaders from PSA, listening to the needs of PSA and incorporating this into our designs has been key to receiving this order.”
The remaining number of spreaders is comprised of all-electric telescopic spreaders for yard operations. Like the heavy-duty hydraulic twin lift, the RAM all-electric telescopic spreader reduces crane downtime due to proven reliable systems and low maintenance requirements. Reliability and performance of the RAM all-electric spreader has been proven in the most arduous port conditions, instilling confidence in our customers that the equipment will help to drive up port performance and productivity. The new spreaders’ feature an open ASI spreader to crane communication system. RAM have an open policy regarding spreader components and does not use black box systems.
This order follows a successful order from PSA Pasir Panjang three years ago, where RAM Spreaders supplied more than 130 spreaders. Over the past few years, RAM has continued to invest heavily in its research, development and product improvement programme. New innovations include an automated spreader to headblock an auto connector and an advanced camera system. In addition, RAM is committed to providing the finest customer care to help their clients achieve their goals.
Head of sales and marketing Cameron adds, “The support and back up of our long-serving people in Singapore to give top customer care and service before and after the sale and throughout the lifetime of the equipment was critical to PSA in deciding this order.”
if you would like to know more about RAM’s products, contact one of our local sales agents by clicking here
RAM have been featured in World Cargo News, discussing the new pipe-handling spreader.
The article published by WCN in December discusses the increase in demand for pipe handling attachments for jib cranes, including shipboard cranes and MHCs. World Cargo news raises current issues of current pipe handling operations, suggesting (un)loading is labour intensive, slow and often dangerous. This is a particular problem with coated pipes, which are not airtight and therefore cannot be handled using vacuum technology.
The article reports the solution to these issues is the RAM’s pipe-handling spreader. Its telescopic quad beam system and end grippers with purpose-built padding protecting the pipes from any damage during the lifting and handling process. The article also informs on the spreader’s other beneficial features such as the option of the pipe spreader being powered from the crane’s power supply or self-contained diesel power unit; how it can be controlled by the crane operator or wireless and its LED and camera system to ensure a safe working environment.
Click here for more information on the RAM Pipe Handling Spreader or contact our local sales agent by clicking here.
As pipes come with a variety of external and internal diameters, lenghts, and coatings, there are many challenges to overcome to automate the pipe handling process.
In the majority of cases, pipes are handled manually with slings and chains by stevedores, with the conventional loading and discharging of pipes using rudimentary fixed metal frames, slings, chains and hooks. This is a dangerous and slow process.
RAM has designed a pipe handling spreader for use on Ship cranes, MHC cranes and is capable of handling a wide variety of pipe diameters and lengths, thanks to its specially designed seperating telescopic quad beam system.
Click here to read further on how the RAM Pipe Handling Spreader has been developed for ship loading without manual intervension.
Click here for video showing the design and functionality of the RAM Pipe Handling Spreader.
Emmanuel Mair of Container Management looks at the way spreader manufacturers are moving firmly towards the direction of tandem lift operations helping customers reduce downtime and improve productivity.
Extract Equipment companies normally have two basic things in mind when tailoring their products to customers’ needs: maximising the efficiency and productivity of their product offerings and ensuring that downtime is minimised through durable designs and quality maintenance. Spreader manufacturers are no different from anyone else in this respect.
The trend towards single-hoist tandem headblock systems is one which RAM Spreaders wants to capitalise on. Virtually all cranes delivered within 5–10 years will be single-hoist tandem, Cameron Hay, the company’s chief sales officer, told CM, citing studies by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co (ZPMC) and Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), which suggest that dual-hoist systems are becoming antiquated.
RAM’s product can fit any standard headblock connection, while the changeover from a single spreader to a tandem spreader is fully automated, taking less than two minutes.
For terminals looking to operate in tandem, a key issue is the percentage of lifts that can be done in tandem. Hay explained: “Our clients have 40% tandem operations – that’s critical. One of the key reasons why they can do that is …click here to read the full article.
TOC Europe 2018 in Rotterdam played host to a talk by Cameron Hay on the trends in tandem lifting that show an increase in ports and terminals using single hoist tandem.
The talk began by making reference to published technical article by SIPG revealing some design and complexity issues with dual hoist operations and that dual hoist operations consume a high amount of energy, which as a result are not generally in high use. Also discussed was the fact that new terminals are not selecting dual hoist cranes, but instead opting for more economical single hoist dual spreader cranes.
The results of an independent review showed the RAM SingFlex single hoist system was a superior headblock.
Cameron commented
“The industry is clearly moving toward higher TEU ratios and tandem 40 will be the norm. Terminals using SingFlex are achieving greater than 40% of all moves in tandem with its flexible design.”
Click here to see the full Power Point Presentation delivered by RAM at TOC Europe 2018
Trends in using the RAM SingFlex Tandem 40 Headblock has been reported in the industry publication World Port Development.
In June 2016 World Port Development reported on the trends in multiple lifting.
The report looks into the new concept of lifting multiple containers using a single hoist crane, focusing on the successes of the RAM’s SingFlex Tandem 40 Headblock which is now in operation in China, South East Asia and North Africa and South America.
Also presented in the article is how SingFlex is flexible in operation, the energy saving benefits and explains the advantages over dual hoist systems.
Port of Qingdao Automated Container Terminal is able to achieve 5.2 million TEU capacity thanks to the RAM SingFlex twin spreader headblock connection on single hoist cranes.
XINHAUNET news reported in May on the Port of Qingdao putting into operation their fully automated container terminal which has the ability to serve 24,000 container ships every year thanks to the RAM SingFlex tandem headblock connection; which enables the port to increased lifting rates with single hoist cranes.
We reported back in our April 2017 Newsletter on the Port of Qingdao ordering 7 units of our RAM SingFlex single hoist tandem 40 headblocks for their fully automated terminal.
The order followed the terminal’s long study into the RAM SingFlex tandem headblock connection for single hoist cranes with alternatives. The study recommended the RAM SingFlex to be the solution for the two new automated terminals because of the flexibility, low capital cost and proven stable design. It also has the flexibility to couple with all spreaders, ensuring no obsolete equipment.
The XINHAUNET news article on Port of Qingdao can be viewed here.
RAM SingFlex is quickly becoming the tandem headblock of choice with units sold in China, Southeast Asia, North Africa, South America and UK.
