August 17 - Imorex Shipping Services reports that its recently acquired Combilift Straddle Carrier (Combi-SC) has made container handling operations at its deport near Felixstowe, UK, much quicker and safer.
The company says that the Combi-SC has increased flexibility and enabled it to handle 110 teu per week compared with 70 teu with the system used previously.
Before the Combi-SC's arrival a combination of heavy duty forklifts and ramps were used to unload containers from the back of trailers, but according to managing director Alan Nunn this was time consuming and restricted the size and weight of individual items that could be handled.
"A lot of the container handling equipment on the market was unsuitable for our premises," said Alan. "For a busy operation of our size the yard is relatively small for example, so best possible use of available space was a key requirement. When we saw the Combi-SC in action we realised that its extreme manoeuvrability and tight turning circle would be ideal for working in quite narrow confines."
Imorex's Combi-SC is a three wheel, two-wheel drive diesel powered 35 tonne model, which can lift, transport and set down the 20ft and 40ft containers that are brought in from the port.
Combilift's SC range is also available with heavier lifting capacities and can handle 45ft, high cube, reefer and flat rack containers, offering complete operational flexibility.
The company says its low level cab ensures excellent visibility compared with the restricted view of the load when using heavy duty forklifts. It also benefits from a very low unladen weight, which reduces the overall ground pressure even when fully loaded, making it ideal for operation on poor surfaces without the need for costly reinforcement.
Getting rid of the ramps - which can be the same length as a trailer - has had multiple benefits. Space in the yard has been freed up to enable containers to be stored back to back, with the SC able to manoeuvre easily around them.
Founded in 1973, Imorex has since evolved to become a provider of a wide range of shipping services including car shipping, freight forwarding and warehousing.
