Teesport, one of the UK’s busiest ports, has taken a major step to enhance safety around its container handling operations by installing the Konecranes Truck Lift Prevention retrofit on its four rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.
The system is designed to prevent the accidental lifting of trucks or trailers during container handling, a potentially dangerous occurrence if twistlocks remain engaged.
PD Ports relies heavily on its RTG cranes to manage a high volume of container traffic. “Our equipment is top-of-the-line and our people are really good at what they do, but mistakes can still happen,” said Gavin Robinson, crane manager at PD Ports.
“You have to maximise safety at all times, so additional safety features are always welcome. Konecranes offered a ready-made solution that was quick to install and easy to integrate.”
The new system uses 3D multilayer sensors mounted under the crane’s sill beam to monitor the gap between the container and trailer during the first two metres of lifting.
If the system detects that a trailer is being lifted – either from one or all corners – it halts the hoisting immediately and alerts the operator.
Marc Wilson, frontline manager at Konecranes Port Services UK, emphasised the technology’s role in long-term safety. “This new version adds more layers to the laser sensors for better accuracy,” he said. “PD Ports is demonstrating real commitment to safety and operational excellence.”
The retrofit is part of Konecranes’ Any Brand series and is compatible with all RTGs.
