The mechanisation of loading logs onto ships is coming to Australasia. Page Macrae Engineering breaks it down for ABHR.
After more than 30 years of loading logs with wire rope-based touch release spreaders, the log industry is moving to implement grapple loading systems to remove staff from the active log marshalling area.
This is a huge challenge for the industry in terms of both the equipment needed and the changes it brings to staff processes and procedures. The support needed for the new mechanical equipment differs greatly from what a wire rope-based system requires.
Page Macrae Engineering is proud to be selected by key industry providers to play a role in this important industry change. In supplying design, manufacturing, and supporting expertise for the different grapple systems utilised, the company has provided a complete end-to-end service to its clients.
Each design-build project starts with a conversation about these essential deliverables to get clarity on what’s important and the order of importance.
Working closely with the client to understand their safety, commercial, and technical objectives means Page Macrae’s engineers have a level of clarity that saves a lot of time and effort.
In the design process, the company works closely with clients to lean on their operational knowledge and technical expertise to get to the finished design. This is the fastest and most efficient way to deliver a solution that has minimal requirements for design iteration.
Not without its challenges
A significant challenge in changing from wire ropes to a grapple operation is ensuring clients can maintain or improve their load rate productivity.
With the weight of a grapple system coming in at approximately 12 times that of a wire rope unit, capacity and cycle times from load pick up to delivery to the hold become very important.
Page Macrae Engineering has designed an innovative grapple tine system that is light and has the weight and volume capacity that our clients need to keep up the productivity they require. The company worked closely with its clients to identify where it could improve the important operator experience and functionality of its designs and controls to optimise the operations.
The story of one of the grapple solutions, the Smart Log Vessel Grapple (LVG) illustrates this collaborative approach.
“We knew we had to eliminate the need for workers to manually sling logs, but we couldn’t compromise on productivity,” Page Macrae Engineering product development manager Bruce Ennis said.
The result was the Smart LVG, an innovation that has now handled over 10 million Japanese agricultural standard (JAS) of logs through more than 552,243 lifts across 34 operational units.
The success of the LVG, which won the 2022 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (NZ) Safety Made Simple Award, demonstrates how innovative thinking can transform port operations. By replacing manual slinging with automatic hydraulic tensioning straps and adding features like radar-controlled safety lockouts, the system has dramatically improved worker safety while maintaining operational efficiency.
One of the challenges in supporting Page Macrae Engineering equipment across Australasian Ports and is accessing the data already gathered by the machine.
Recognising the growing importance of data in port operations, Page Macrae Engineering is now integrating advanced telematics across its equipment range. This technology provides real-time insights into equipment performance, maintenance needs, and operational efficiency.
“It’s not just about collecting data,” Page Macrae Australian business development manager Charles Hennessy said.
“It’s about turning that data into actionable insights that help our customers optimise their operations.”
It provides real-time tracking of vessel discharge operations, monitors grab cycles and performance, and even helps schedule preventive maintenance.
Looking to the future
Page Macrae Engineering is firmly focused on supporting its clients in their aspirations for cost control, growth, and industry innovation. Automation and products that maximise the productivity of customers’ port staff are areas the business is focusing on.
It has new products coming to market that the company believes will support this approach.