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Associated British Ports (ABP) has invested in new lashing stations, a crucial infrastructure for container handling, at its Humber container terminals, in collaboration with local supplier Grimsby Pipework & Engineering Ltd (GPE).
The UK's largest port operator recently installed four new container lashing stations at the Port of Immingham, with another four to follow at the Port of Hull. Container lashing operations represent one of the biggest risks in busy container terminals.
The lashing process involves operators removing the safety pins from the four corners of the container, where it rests on the trailer. The new stations will be separated from the vessel and located within a designated area that protects the operator from overhead hazards and surrounding vehicle movement. They will also feature red and green lights to indicate when container transfer tugs can safely enter the lashing area.
Jamie Pearson, ABP's Head of Unitised Containers (Humber), stated that "our priority at the Humber container terminals is safety, and having carefully assessed the need to eliminate the risks faced by crane operators, the new stations fulfill their purpose".
"Thanks to the creation of a safe working environment and the involvement of the safety and operations teams in the design, we have managed to create a station that performs its function perfectly, thanks to Grimsby Pipework & Engineering Ltd," the executive added.
The new system also eliminates the need to leave safety twistlocks on the ground, which can pose a hazard to tugs and a tripping risk for operators. The stations have been specifically manufactured so that operators can safely access the pins from inside.
GPE custom-manufactured the stations after conducting a site survey and determining the necessary forklifts. They then designed and calculated the required stations to perfectly fit the quay.
Mike Hemsworth, Managing Director of Grimsby Pipework & Engineering Ltd, stated that "at Grimsby Pipework and Engineering Ltd, we are proud to have collaborated closely with Associated British Ports in the design and manufacture of these custom lashing stations. The project arose from a shared commitment to improving safety during the installation and removal of container twistlock pins in loading and unloading operations".
The Ports of Hull and Immingham are key gateways in Northern England for short-sea container traffic with Europe and the Baltic, offering flexibility, value-added services, and road and rail connections.
