CARGOTEC has signed its first contract for MacRack, an electric-drive innovation for MacGregor side-rolling hatch covers combining two operations, raising a cover, and moving it sideways to open or close the hatch.
CARGOTEC has signed its first contract for MacRack, an electric-drive innovation for MacGregor side-rolling hatch covers combining two operations, raising a cover, and moving it sideways to open or close the hatch.
Work on the electric side-rolling hatch cover started in 2001 in response to the Japanese car industry's goal to make its supply chain green. When opening hatch covers, a lever mechanism converts the electric motor's rotating motion into a vertical movement, providing the lift needed. When closing, it lowers the covers and pushes them together to achieve rubber compression and tightness.
Zhenghe Shipyard has ordered the company's all-electric MacRack system to open and close side-rolling hatch covers on a 47,000 dwt bulk carrier being built for a Chinese owner and scheduled for delivery in July 2012. The contract was signed in September and the first components are due for delivery this month.
According to Esko Karvonen, vice president of the Marine Dry Cargo business line, the new electric-drive system will become the standard for side-rolling hatch covers. "Inspired by a commitment to the environment and improving overall cargo system performance, the initiative for this development came from shipyards and shipowners," he said.
"It has certainly attracted a lot of interest at Marintec this year. Close to 150 customers from Chinese and Japanese shipyards took the opportunity to attend the first full-scale demonstration of MacRack which took place in Nantong during the week before the show."
