First car carriers with all-electric cargo handling
equipment enter service
14 November 2011
MOL's new generation of 'eco-friendly' efficient PCTCs are entering service; they feature MacGregor RoRo access outfits from Cargotec and are the world's first car carriers to have all of their RoRo equipment electrically-driven
Cargotec's growing electric-drive RoRo reference portfolio now includes the first vessel to have all-electrically-driven RoRo access equipment entering service. The 4,000-unit pure car truck carrier (PCTC), Iris Ace, is owned and operated by Japanese company, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL) and features an electrically-driven MacGregor stern quarter ramp/door, side ramps and two movable ramps from Cargotec.
Iris Ace was delivered from Japanese shipbuilder, Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co Ltd earlier this year and was followed into operation by a pair of 6,400-unit PCCs, Cattleya Ace and Carnation Ace, from the same builder. Each of these two ships features an electrically-driven MacGregor stern quarter ramp/door, a centre ramp/door and six movable ramps. All equipment is operated by electric winches and actuators, eliminating the use of hydraulic oil in the operating system.
"On average, electric drives consume less energy than their hydraulic equivalents, therefore, their introduction into MOL's recent newbuilds was a natural progression in the company's environmental initiatives," says Mr Sjöberg.
"When you replace hydraulically-powered deck machinery with electric versions, one of the greatest environmental benefits that you gain is the elimination of potential hydraulic oil leaks. These cause pollution and can also damage cargo. It was the high incidence of cargo damage that was a primary concern for car manufacturers, who ultimately put pressure on shipowners to come up with a solution to the problem."
Last year Cargotec and the Shin-Kurushima Dockyard group also signed further agreements for four pure car carriers (PCCs) to be fitted with fully electrically-driven RoRo access equipment. "This means that five car carriers and two RoRos now have all of their RoRo equipment electrically-driven."
Most of the world's pure car carrying (PCC), pure car/truck carrying (PCTC) and deepsea RoRo fleets feature MacGregor RoRo access equipment.
Electrically-driven MacGregor RoRo cargo access equipment is a result of intensive R&D work, which was initiated in response to customers' requests. Cargotec's ability to develop equipment that not only meets numerous performance requirements, but also protects the environment, demonstrates its commitment to operating in a responsible manner and taking environmental considerations into account.
The first ships with electrically-driven MacGregor RoRo equipment were delivered in 2006 - although this equipment was limited to internal systems. In 2009, four 2,000-unit PCTCs for PD Gram & Co AS, delivered from Kyokuyo Shipyard in Japan. Viking Odessa, Höegh Caribia, City of Oslo and Viking Constanza, all feature a comprehensive outfit of internal MacGregor cargo access equipment including: ten hoistable car deck panels, one access ramp, four movable ramps and two ramp covers on each ship.
Cargotec improves the efficiency of cargo flows on land and at sea - wherever cargo is on the move. Cargotec's daughter brands, Hiab, Kalmar and MacGregor are recognised leaders in cargo and load handling solutions around the world. Cargotec's global network is positioned close to customers and offers extensive services that ensure the continuous, reliable and sustainable performance of equipment. Cargotec's sales totalled EUR 2.6 billion in 2010 and it employs approximately 11,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com
MacGregor is the global market-leading brand in marine cargo handling and offshore load-handling solutions. Customer-driven MacGregor engineering and service solutions for the maritime transportation industry and the offshore load-handling and naval logistics markets are used on board merchant ships, offshore support vessels, and in ports and terminals. www.macgregor-group.com
Cargotec press release