MacGregor secures new hatch cover orders
for ten bulk carriers from South Korea

23 June 2014

MacRack is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly electric-drive system that both lifts the side-rolling hatch cover panels up and moves them away from each other into the open position. Image by MacGregor.

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has won an order from Sungdong Shipyard in South Korea for side rolling hatch covers for ten 180,000 dwt bulk carriers with electrically-operated opening and closing system, MacRack. The ships are being built for the New York listed Scorpio Bulkers Inc (NYSE: SALT). The majority of the ships will be delivered during 2015.

Scorpio Bulkers Inc had previously ordered other ships with MacGregor side rolling hatch covers with MacRack opening and closing system.

MacRack uses variable frequency drive (VFD) technology, which allows for the optimised use of electric power. The operating speed is slow at the start of the opening process, when power is needed to lift the panel. Rolling takes place at full speed and slows down again when the panel is close to the end stops.

The first MacRack units were contracted in 2013 and today there are 600 on order for a total of 24 ships and ten options.

MacGregor is the world's leading brand of engineering solutions and services for handling marine cargoes and offshore loads. MacGregor products serve the maritime transportation, offshore and naval logistics markets, in ports and terminals as well as on board ships. Our cargo flow solutions integrate cargo access, stowage, care and handling functions to suit a particular ship's cargo profile. This benefits its productivity, environmental impact and profitable service lifetime. www.macgregor.com

MacGregor is part of Cargotec. Cargotec's sales totalled approximately EUR 3.2 billion in 2013 and it employs approximately 11,000 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com

Cargotec press release