Spanish co-operation pays off

Co-operation between APM Terminals Algeciras and the University of Cadiz has led to several terminal equipment design improvements, according to the terminal operator.

A Spanish patent has been granted for a method of allowing greater lateral flexibility of RTG crane spreaders so that slight adjustments of several centimetres can be made when securing a container for lifting without having to move the entire crane itself. The side-shift devices do not affect the load capacity or maximum lift height of the RTGs and permit faster and safer container loading. Another patented innovation developed by the two parties enables the hoist cables on the massive ship-to-shore gantry cranes to be replaced in six hours rather than a 24-hour procedure, while the boom is raised, so that terminal operations of adjacent cranes are not affected. The reduction in time for the regularly scheduled cables replacements is also a significant safety factor. "It has been a perfect marriage of operational experience in the yard and academic expertise in making ideas into reality," said Francisco Amores, APM Terminals Algeciras technical department manager.

· APM Terminals-managed Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) in Jordan has taken delivery of two new post-panamax STS gantry cranes. ACT saw container traffic grow by 25% during the first three quarters of 2009 and is planning to expand capacity to 2m teu.