Another Eight PIL Container Ships Will Feature MacGregor Electric Cranes

MacGregor, part of Cargotec, has secured a further order from Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd, in China, for its variable frequency drive (VFD) electric cranes. The 32 MacGregor electric cranes have been specified for eight more 3,900 TEU container vessels being built at the yard for Singapore-based Pacific International Lines (PIL). The deliveries are planned for 2014 and 2015.

This new order builds on a previous contract that MacGregor announced in January for 16 electric cranes for the first four in the series, also under construction at Dalian.

"We know, as do many of our customers, about the advantages our electrically-driven cranes can offer," says Jonas Hägglund, Sales Manager for MacGregor Cranes. "Compared with electro-hydraulic cargo cranes, our environmentally-friendly VFD cranes can offer superior cargo handling efficiency with up to 50 percent reduction in energy and fuel consumption and significantly lower service and spares costs; all resulting in a dramatically reduced carbon footprint.

"Substantial savings can also be made on cabling - about 1.4 tonnes for a 37,000 dwt handysize bulker - and through the use of smaller circuit breakers," adds Mr Hägglund.