PCTCs to feature first full suite of electrically-driven RoRo equipment

Cargotec’s business area MacGREGOR has secured a contract that will see the first pure car/truck carriers fitted with a complete set of electrically-driven RoRo equipment, totally eliminating the use of hydraulic oil in the operating system MacGREGOR has received a contract to deliver totally electrically-driven sets of RoRo equipment to two pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs).

The contract is with Japanese shipyard Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co Ltd for two 4,000-unit PCTCs: one for Japanese owner MOL and the other for a Korean owner. Each vessel will be equipped with one stern quarter ramp, one side ramp and two internal hoistable ramps, all of which will be operated and secured by means of electric winches and actuators. Delivery of all equipment is scheduled for 2010.

“Over the last few years, MacGREGOR has delivered, and been contracted to deliver, over 100,000m2 of electrically-operated car decks, internal hoistable ramps and covers,” says Magnus Sjöberg, director of sales for MacGREGOR’s RoRo business line. “These first car carriers with complete electric-drive operation of the RoRo equipment – including the external ramps – is a breakthrough and the result of MacGREGOR’s intensive R&D work responding to customers wanting to move away from the use of hydraulic oil completely”.

MacGREGOR highlights a number of advantages of the electric drives compared with hydraulically-operated units:

Advantages for the shipowner

- no oil pollution or damage to goods by hydraulic oil as no hydraulic oil is required
- maintenance friendly
- energy saving as continuous running is not required
- easy to monitor
- no change in operating times in cold conditions.

Advantages for the shipbuilder

- cable wiring is easier than piping
- no flushing work is required
- no need for hydraulics specialists
- no pump unit required.

The MacGREGOR Group

MacGREGOR Group is the global market leader in engineering and service solutions for the maritime transportation and offshore industries. Ship owners, ship and port operators and shipyards in the commercial marine and offshore industries are our customers. Products include hatch covers, cranes, equipment for RoRo ships and ports, and solutions for cargo lashing, bulk handling, offshore load-handling and naval logistics. We also provide worldwide service and support.

MacGREGOR's 2007 net sales totalled EUR 748 million. MacGREGOR employed 2223 people at the end of December 2007. The Group operates in 50 major shipping and shipbuilding countries and its service network consists of approximately 60 service stations. Visit our website at www.macgregor-group.com

MacGREGOR is part of Cargotec Corporation, the world's leading provider of cargo handling solutions, which are used in local transportation, terminals, ports, distribution centres, and ships. In 2007, Cargotec's net sales were EUR 3.018 billion. Cargotec's class B shares are listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

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