SANDOCK Austral Shipyards has added a new tool that could revolutionise the way containers are handled in south Africa’s ports.
The German-designed self-propelled and self-sustained Port Feeder Barge is poised to solve challenges experienced by South African ports since it can be deployed wherever it is needed and can operate easily in low water depth or high berth.
‘While it looks like a standard shipboard crane, all its mechanical components have been especially designed for continuous operation. Due to its nature, the Port Feeder Barge is continuously in port – seven days a week. Hence the load cycle requirements are even higher than for many quayside cranes, which have significant consequences on the layout of its mechanical components,’ said port feeder barge designer Ulrich Malchow.
‘Durban, like Lagos or even Hamburg, has a lot of container movements within the port from one terminal to another which requires the use of trucks,’ said Dr Malchow.
‘Furthermore, containers need to be carried for stuffing and stripping activities to off-dock facilities which often have their own shallow water access, but no cranes, resulting in additional road haulage. The Port Feeder Barge eliminates this so there is less traffic congestion and moreover reduces the carbon emissions,’ he said.
