London Gateway Doubles Cargo Lifting Ability (UK)
DP World London Gateway has become the first port in the UK to lift four containers at one time on its quay cranes, which doubles the amount of containers it can lift in one go.
The spreader is capable of handling four twenty foot containers or two forty foot containers at a time, this doubles the quay crane’s capacity for moving containers, which will increase efficiency and productivity for UK shippers.
Andrew Bowen, Engineering Director said: “This is an excellent example of DP World innovation at London Gateway. We’ve engineered a system that allows us to double the number of containers we move safely and quickly.”
“By introducing the tandem lift for two forty foot containers to our operations, we will be able to improve productivity that will allow vessels to be turned around faster and cargo to move on to its final destination more efficiently. The culture at DP World London Gateway encourages us to innovate and improve supply chains and we look forward to continuous improvements in the future.”
“We have already enhanced the size of the cranes to be some of the largest in the world, capable of handling the largest vessels in the world. They also come with cutting edge automation technology,” said Bowen.
London Gateway opened on 7th November with the MOL Caledon calling as part of the SAECS service.
During the bad weather experience over the Christmas period, London Gateway’s land side operations remained open while other ports were closed. Four additional calls to London Gateway were made after poor weather caused ships to divert from their planned port of call. One of the ships, the Maersk Gudrun at 367 metres long, was the longest container ship to ever travel up the Thames, according to the Port of London Authority.
DP World, January 24, 2014
