The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) has published a new paper on the structural examination of container handling cranes in ports and terminals.
According to data from the insurance firm TT Club, the third biggest source of equipment claims in ports worldwide is fatigue damage.
The paper is designed to increase understanding of the risks posed by fatigue failure, highlight the importance of structural examination and give practical guidance to help terminal personnel to detect cracks through visual examination of ship-to-shore (STS), rail mounted gantry (RMG) and rubber tyred gantry (RTG) container handling cranes.
The authors of the paper estimate that, of the worldwide fleet of 5,000 STS cranes, each year around 150 will develop a fatigue crack that can result in the failure of a critical member.
The paper states that, while visual examination by non-specialists is better than doing nothing, this should not replace following a proper inspection programme by the crane maker or a trained professional.
For further information contact: The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association
Web: www.pema.org