Hawk eye to aid accident prevention
Mitsui OSK Lines has adopted an innovative crane safety monitoring system to help prevent accidents at its terminals.
Fitted to transfer cranes at the MOL-operated Tokyo International Container Terminal in Japan, the Hawk Eye system uses a microwave sensor in the upper part of the crane to measure distances between the crane and the upper part of the tiered containers.
Sensors in the lower part of the crane measure the distance between the crane and other cranes, and the crane and vehicles, and limit the crane’s maximum speed within that distance as needed to prevent contact accidents
Developed by MOL subsidiary Nihon Engineering Co, Ltd, MOL claims this is the first such monitoring system in the world to use a microwave sensor. The developers have applied for a patent on the technology.
The developer opted for microwave over other available technologies because it is less susceptible to weather, compared with conventional radar and ultrasonic sensors, and it measure longer distances more reliably.
MOL plans to introduce the Hawk Eye system at its operated container terminals in succession, as part of ongoing group-wide efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of container loading/unloading operations.
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