To facilitate an expansion in trade, Associated British Ports (ABP) at Ipswich has placed orders for five new grabs from pALM Bulk Solutions Ltd, the UK dealer for MRS Greifer GmbH in Germany.

The grabs are all of high close, clamshell design. The largest will have a capacity of 13m3 and is designed to handle a wide range of bulk materials with a bulk density of up to 1t/m3, including fertilizer, grain, soya, animal feeds and similar materials.

With a grab weight of nearly eight tonnes, it is suitable for connection to ABP’s dockside crane which has a minimum 21-tonne lifting capacity. A powerful 37.5kW integral hydraulic power pack ensures rapid opening and closing rates to achieve high levels of performance, critical to minimize the amount of time in unloading vessels where excessive delays can generate high level of demurrage cost.

The second heavy duty hydraulic grab, which has a 3.5m3 capacity, is designed to handle material up to 1.5t/m3, including sand and aggregates and is provided complete with an adaptor plate to suit ABP’s dockside material handler.

The remaining three grabs ordered range in capacity from 4–5m3 capacity, and are suitable for materials with bulk density up to 1t/m3. These are again provided with an adaptor plate to suit ABP’s dockside material handlers.

Each of the grabs incorporates a unique design with a fork lift pick-up point, high close shells rated for zero degrees repose angle and close tolerance spill-free Pantanax wear-resistant lower and side knives. The design of these has been developed in conjunction with ABP on several previous grab orders during recent years where grabs have been supplied to ABP at Ipswich, Kings Lynn, Garston, Newport and Ayr.

This brings the number of MRS grabs supplied in the UK to 99 — there will certainly be a big celebration when number 100 is ordered!