Economical and environmentally-friendly electric-drive systems for MacGregor side-rolling hatch covers have been ordered for two new series of Greek bulkers being built by Sungdong, in South Korea, the Company said in a press release.
MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has confirmed that five 180,000 dwt bulk carriers under construction in South Korea at Sungdong Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, will feature MacGregor side-rolling hatch covers operated by MacGregor's innovative MacRack technology. The order includes the design and supply of key components and the fabrication of the hatch covers.
The bulkers are destined for two Greek owners, the first two for Quintana Shipping and the remaining three for Alcyon Shipping. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2014.
Each hatch cover panel will be operated by an electrically-driven MacRack unit, which both lifts the panel up from its closed position and then rolls it away to its open, stowed position. The panels are automatically freed from their securing cleats as they are lifted. The overall operating time for one hatch is approximately 2.5 minutes.
Each MacRack unit is mounted at the associated longitudinal coaming, driving a pinion which engages with a rack fitted underneath the hatch cover panel. In the open position, panels are stowed on transverse ramps. During the closing operation, the hatch covers are automatically cleated and made weathertight.
Automatic motor brakes prevent the panels from unintentional rolling at all stages of the opening and closing process.
MacGregor is the world's leading brand of engineering solutions and services for handling marine cargoes and offshore loads. MacGregor products serve the maritime transportation, offshore and naval logistics markets, in ports and terminals as well as on board ships.