Floating cranes for container handling

Abstract

Floating cranes could be used to increase the berth capacity for the largest container vessels, making it possible to reduce the vessel berth time. By adding floating cranes on the waterside of a berthed container vessel, the berth productivity could be increased without disturbing the landside operations. Containers would be loaded directly into barges, which could transport the containers to an inland barge terminal. This would not only reduce the pressure on the deep sea terminals and connecting road infrastructure, but could possibly also reduce the total handling costs for containers to and from the hinterland. This paper presents the findings of a study focusing on the feasibility of such a floating crane concept. The paper discusses the conceptual design of the crane itself, as well as its integration in the current logistic processes and its potential market.