Strainstall Introduce New Container Weighing System for Dockside Cranes

JOC Staff |

LONDON — Following talks within the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) to introduce mandatory weighing of containers, Strainstall have utilised their 45 years of experience in providing industry leading measurement solutions to developed their own container weighing system.

The system is designed for low impact installation and enables operators to view live loadings via an in-cab display or log/transmit data for analysis at a later stage. Various integration options are available, including modification of spreader twist locks and replacing existing load bearing pins or components with load measuring pins within the existing spreader head block assembly.

Benefits include:

Simple non-intrusive integration
High accuracy and reliability
Optional telemetry versions available
Numerous output options
View live or store historic data
Can be retrofitted
Monitors live and eccentric loads
Practical calibration in situ
Durable/rugged solution to suit environment

The system has been specifically developed to enable port authorities, shipping companies and couriers to establish the exact weight of containers, as well as the ability to detect eccentric loads. Having this information can help avoid accidents and damage to equipment, stack collapse due to overloaded containers, poorly loaded vessels consuming additional fuel, and revenue loss for terminals and shipping lines from transporting containers with under-declared weights.

Scott Cruttenden, Business Development Manager – Industrial Sector said “This new system means port operators can significantly improve both safety and productivity by allowing crane operators to know exactly what weights they are lifting, enabling vessels to be correctly loaded and by ensuring all containers are charged according to actual weight.

Strainstall are currently working with several companies including the Port of Tilbury on a solution using standard twist locks. They will be trialling the system with a view to rolling it out on all their straddle carriers.

Strainstall is a broad-based engineering business, specialising in load measurement and sensor based safety technology, with over 45 years of experience in a wide range of industries. Based in Cowes, Isle of Wight, the company has long been associated with the manufacture of standard and bespoke load cells.