Africa Port helps RAM re-engineer MHC spreaders for tough environment

Oct 8, 2020 | Other Articles, Press Articles, Spreader Articles

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.

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If you would like to know more about our MHC spreaders click here, or contact one of our local sales agents by clicking here

Innovative Change for TPC’s Copper Concentrate Export

Jan 6, 2020 | Containerised Bulk Articles, Press Articles

RAM Revolver MHC - Ship to Shed Operation

Terminal Puerto Coquimbo (TPC) enhances their loading and storing of copper concentrate, after adopting CBH technology.

TPC is part of the Ultramar group and are a multipurpose terminal in the Coquimbo region, who provide their services to tourism, the fruit and vegetable industry and mining. With rising demands to export copper concentrate, TPC have been looking for innovative ways to cope, meet environmental regulations and maintain product quality. The company had to look no further than RAM Spreader’s proven track record with the lightweight MHC RAM Revolver for a containerised bulk handling solution.

The containerised bulk handling system introduced by TPC is a Shed to Ship operation. It begins at the shed, where the copper concentrate is unloaded, and stored in an existing conventional bulk warehouse at the port. Upon the arrival of the ship, the Intermodal Solution Group (ISG) bulk containers are each loaded with 30 tons of copper concentrate. The containers are then sealed shut with a lid preventing the product from being exposed to the environment; loss of commodity or product quality being degraded. 10 containers are then transported to the quayside in a loop, waiting to be unloaded by the RAM Revolver directly into the ship

As TPC opted for the lightweight MHC RAM Revolver, their mobile harbour crane is able to unload a greater payload of copper concentrate per cycle. The RAM Revolver automatically removes the lid before rotating the container 360 degrees at the bottom of the hatch reducing dust plume. When the container is emptied, the RAM Revolver replaces the lid back onto the container, which is then placed back on the truck to be reloaded at the shed.

The TPC operation demonstrates how the CBH technology is able to flexibly integrate into a Port with an existing bulk warehouse to produce a more efficient bulk cycle.  This technology can integrate with any type of Port or bulk logistics system to sharply reduce both loss and contamination of the commodity.

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RAM Awarded Major Order for PSA Tuas Terminal

Dec 18, 2019 | Press Articles, Spreader Articles

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

The age of automation is here!

Dec 17, 2019 | Other Articles, Press Articles

RAM’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Cameron Hay introduced the future of container handling at TOC Americas 2019 in Columbia

Hay delivered a talk on the RAM’s new automated PinSmart II machine.  He began the talk by discussing issues ports face with the current container handling process, acknowledging that manual twistlock operations are dangerous, inefficient and expensive.

To combat those issues, RAM has designed an automated machine, which Hay believes is “the future of container handling”.  The PinSmart II includes two cradles and a tool for all twistlocks, allowing rapid transfer between quay crane operations. The machine’s innovative design will lead to a more efficient quay crane cycle; save big on labour costs and operate in any weather conditions.

Learn more about Pinsmart II by clicking here.

 

 

RAM appoint new sales manager for Africa

Dec 10, 2019 | Other Articles, Press Articles

RAM are pleased to announce the recent appointment of Javier Cazin Lozano as the new sales manager for Africa region.

With several years of experience in the container port industry, the new sales manager brings a wealth of expertise and insight into the growing African market.  Besides his experience, Javier holds a Masters in both Management and Law and is fluent in French, Spanish and English.

The recent appointment at RAM comes following their continued commitment to providing customers with a world-class sales service and products for ports and terminals in a bid to help further boost the African economy.

Sharing RAM’s enthusiasm for listening to customers’ needs and to find the best solution for their operations, Javier comments “I am looking forward to working closely with our sales agents in Africa to maintain relationships with existing clients as well as developing new market opportunities in the region“.

In addition, the sales manager will use his expertise to support the Southern Europe sales team.

If you would like to speak to Javier head over to our contacts page.

WCN reports on the realisation of RAM’s pipe dream

Dec 6, 2019 | Press Articles, Spreader Articles

 

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.