QUBE-owned New Zealand port logistics company ISO has taken delivery of four Leibherr mobile harbour cranes, claimed to be the world’s first in terms of size and capacity.
The MHCs were delivered to Mount Maunganui Wharves (Tauranga) by the heavy-lift/flo-flo/ro-ro vessel Rolldock Sun (IMO 9393981) following a 37-day, 12,000 nautical mile voyage from Rostock, Germany via the Panama Canal.
ISO CEO Paul Cameron said the remote-controlled MHCs, with advanced technology and safety specifications, were specifically customised to suit ISO’s operating environment with input from the company’s technology team.
Weighing 465 tonnes, the fully mobile Liebherr harbour crane has a 51-metre maximum lifting height, a 54-metre maximum outreach, dual outrigger pads that provide improved point loading distribution, 80 steerable wheel sets and has mobility of 360 degrees from any point.
ISO commissioned the cranes to deliver enhanced safety for handling of all types of cargo including logs, and to increase handling cycles, lift capacity and vessel turnarounds, Mr Cameron said.
“We’re creating a new future in a traditional industry by applying robotics, automation and IT, to minimise exposure to hazards and move our people into more skilled roles.
“It’s very exciting to add mobile harbour cranes to our port logistics operation. The technology is not only safer, it allows us to load and unload vessels without the use of ships cranes – allowing us to handle cargo for a wider range of vessels. The introduction of the cranes is part of a wider technology innovation initiative which has seen us introduce Robotic Scaling Machines for scaling logs, and sophisticated IT solutions to our operations in recent years.”
ISO Limited has grown to be one of New Zealand’s largest nationwide waterfront cargo logistics companies, operating out of Marsden Point, Tauranga, Kaingaroa, Murupara, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Picton, Timaru, Dunedin, Bluff and Invercargill. ISO also provides warehousing, IT and supply chain services to port industries across NZ and Australia and software solutions in North and South America.
