Demag Cranes has received an order to supply two mobile harbour cranes (MHCs) to Canada. The two identical machines are four-rope grab cranes for professional bulk handling. Vale Inco Limited (Vale), the second-largest mining and metals company in the world, a new Demag Cranes customer, will be using the cranes for handling nickel and limestone at its terminal in Long Harbour (southeast Newfoundland and Labrador).
“The bulk market offers tremendous potential and has, for some years, been a focal point in our Port Technology segment,” emphasized Thomas H. Hagen, member of the management board of Demag Cranes AG and COO. “Around a quarter of the Gottwald harbour cranes sold last year are for professional bulk handling. The considerable strategic importance to Demag Cranes of the bulk-handling market is also reflected in the acquisition of the UK company DB Controls.
That company has renowned capabilities in software and advisory services in the field of automating bulk-handling equipment. This acquisition has further extended our range of services in this key segment of the market.”
 
G HMK 6407 B MOBILE HARBOUR CRANE
The G HMK 6407 B mobile harbour crane with the four-rope grab is a variant of the Model 6 harbour crane. Designed to withstand the rigours of high-end use, Model 6 harbour cranes are for high-performance applications and thus achieve enhanced handling rates. This four-rope grab G HMK 6407 B variant has a 50-tonne grab curve in A8 classification and, depending on the local conditions, achieves handling rates of up to 1,000tph (tonnes per hour). The machine can service bulk carriers up to Capesize.
 
FOUR-ROPE GRAB CRANES FOR PROFESSIONAL BULK HANDLING
The four-rope grab variant, designed specifically for the professional handling of bulk materials, has become a firm favourite worldwide among terminal operators at universal and special purpose terminals as an alternative to custom- built equipment. Customers profit from low specific investment costs for acquisition, operation and creation of the entire quay infrastructure and short delivery and erection times. For individual requirements, special equipment, e.g. dust protection systems, are available. The four-rope grab variant of the Gottwald mobile harbour crane, as well as the portal harbour cranes and floating cranes derived from it, still retains its versatility. Equipped with a broad range of lifting gear, these machines can load and unload any type of cargo.
 
G HMK 6407 B FOR VALE, CANADA
The two new G HMK 6407 B Gottwald cranes for Vale are to enter service early in 2012 in
Long Harbour in the southeast of Newfoundland and Labrador and will handle nickel and limestone.
Like all other Gottwald Harbour Cranes, these two machines are fitted with the Visumatic® crane management system. Among the many extras included there is an active anti-dust system, a specially customized propping system and a high tower.
The scope of supply also includes four large grabs, an automatic spreader and a fixed spreader.
The decision to opt for Gottwald’s four-rope grab crane was influenced by the convincing state-of-the-art technology available from Demag Cranes and the fact that a large number of these crane variants have been in use worldwide in the most diverse terminals for some years.
“We are proud to have won such a prestigious, worldwide industry leader as Vale as a new customer,” enthused Robert Histon, regional director for North America. “Having supplied many mobile harbour cranes for container and general cargo handling to Canada, we are particularly pleased to have received an order for a bulk application.”