Cavotec MoorMasters sold to Australia’s Port Hedland

Working closely with customers, the Cavotec Group designs and
manufactures a vast array of solutions — from components to
complete systems — that perform critical functions across the
bulk handling industry. The Cavotec Group is also active in the
airports, mining and tunneling and general industry sectors.
Cavotec works in close cooperation with scores of customers
around the world. Its bulk handling client list includes
contractors, sub-contractors, port authorities, local companies,
and large industrial groups such as Atlas Copco and ABB.
Cavotec’s rugged and innovative equipment can be used to
handle the full spectrum of bulk materials as well as some of the
world’s most hazardous chemicals and fuel products.
Cavotec believes that close client relations are key to
remaining competitive in the market. “[We do] what we’ve
always done since Cavotec first started some 40 years ago —
working closely with our customers to design and build innovative
solutions to specific challenges, and delivering product on time
RECENT CONTRACTS
In a major innovation for the bulk handling industry, Port Hedland
Port Authority (PHPA) in Western Australia has ordered Cavotec’s
vacuum-based automated mooring technology, MoorMaster™, for
installation at the port’s iron ore loading facility.
MoorMaster moors vessels in seconds, eliminating the need for
conventional mooring techniques. The technology counteracts
vessel surge in port caused by changes in wave dynamics and
represents a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional
mooring ropes that have been used for thousands of years.
Cavotec began developing MoorMaster 12 years ago. Toll
New Zealand Ltd installed the first units on a rail passenger
ferry, and different versions of the system are also currently
operated by Searoad Shipping Australia, by APM Terminals’
container facility at the Port of Salalah in Oman, on a highfrequency
ferry route in Denmark operated by Nordic Ferry
Services A/S, and in Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway, where
MoorMaster has been specifically designed to secure vessels
through changes in water level of up to 14 metres.
The PHPA’s 14 MoorMaster units, the MM200Bs (Bulk), will
be the toughest ever; built to withstand the harsh operating
environment at Port Hedland. The units will face fine, but
abrasive iron ore dust, falling rocks and seawater. During cyclone
season, which runs from November to the end of February,
seawater spray and winds will regularly blast the systems at
speeds of up to 200mph (320kph).
Port Hedland’s iron ore facility is especially exposed: situated
directly on the mouth of a tidal inflow area, with tides ranging up
to five metres. While the units will not be required to moor
vessels during cyclones, they will be able to compensate for the
port’s exceptional changes in tide levels. “Mooring equipment is
mission critical — it can’t fail, and these MoorMasters are designed
to withstand the extreme conditions common to handling iron
ore, and the demanding environmental factors at Port Hedland,”
says Mike Howie, Cavotec MoorMaster Technology Manager.
The primary advantage the technology offers over traditional
mooring techniques is enhanced safety for shore-side personnel
and ship crews. By requiring one person to remotely moor a
vessel at the touch of a button, port and vessel operators
dramatically reduce the risk of mooring-related accidents, and
even deaths that still occur every year.
The system also creates substantial time efficiencies, offering
users the opportunity to reduce vessel turn around times, and in
many cases make more efficient use of berth space.
MoorMaster can also help ports reduce their environmental
impact through reduced vessel emissions. Because the system
moors ships in under 20 seconds instead of up to 45 minutes
that tends to be common with conventional techniques, ships can
shut off their engines far sooner, and tugs are not required to
position ships for as long as is the case with traditional mooring.
Cavotec is also working strategically in the market place;
under an agreement signed in January this year with German
heavy transport manufacturer, Goldhofer, Cavotec is to supply
Goldhofer with advanced RRCs for the next three years.
“This arrangement will be mutually beneficial for Cavotec and
Goldhofer; we are choosing the right moment to combine our
expertise,” says Popesco. “I am especially pleased that our new
Cavotec MC operations in Germany secured this order, as it will
significantly accelerate its development and contribution to the
Group,” he adds. At Goldhofer, Cavotec’s RRC systems will allow
operators to remotely steer heavy-duty transport vehicles.
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
“We work continuously to develop our existing systems, and are
especially focused on improving solutions that deliver safety and
environmental benefits. Innovation drives all our activities – as it
always has done,” says Cavotec Specimas Product Manager, Diego
Sanchez. This attitude is shared throughout the Cavotec Group.
For example, from hand-held push button terminals to more
sophisticated customized models, Cavotec Micro-control
continues to innovate and introduce new products onto the
market. February saw Cavotec’s new MC-3-5-Ex terminal receive
ATEX certification, and follows IEC EX certification.
The terminal meets the most stringent requirements for gas
and mining applications. The MC-3-5-Ex also has approval for use
in Chinese coal mines.
Recent product launches also include the MC-3300 and
MC-3200; RRCs designed to provide secure and flexible control
for a vast range of machinery. Typical applications for these
systems are offshore and maritime cranes and winches. In
addition to features common to standard RRCs, these units can
also be delivered to use cable control.
Cavotec Micro-control supplies a comprehensive range of
radio remote control systems designed for diverse applications in
the offshore, mining, and maritime sectors, and general and
process industries around the world. Products range from
standard hand-held push button terminals to more sophisticated
and customized models. Established in 1984, Norway’s Microcontrol
COMPANY BACKGROUND
Cavotec MSL provides innovative and environmentally friendly
technologies for the ports and maritime, airports, mining and
general industries sectors.
Through close cooperation with customers, Cavotec develops
innovative systems designed to redefine industry standards,
enhance efficiency, and improve environmental sustainability.
Present in 35 countries, Cavotec operates in a divisional structure
including: ports and maritime, airports, mining and tunnelling, and
general industry. Much of the group’s innovation work takes
place at its research and engineering centres in France, Germany,
Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the US.