Automatic monitoring of mobile harbour equipment for reliability and safety
(Posted on 11/10/23)
Sensor Technology Ltd have highlighted how monitoring the work rate of cranes, loaders and unloaders means their performance can be optimised and downtime for maintenance can be scheduled for minimum disruption to operational requirements.
The increasing globalisation of the world economy is pressurising ports, docks and harbours into handling ever-increasing volumes of cargo, so mobile harbour equipment has to work efficiently and reliably at all times.
Importing and exporting of dry bulk cargos, from minerals to grains, fertilisers to cement, wood chips to agricultural products, is almost exclusively a maritime operation. Thus there is a need to load and unload ships and barges, and in the modern world this has to be done quickly, efficiently and safely.
So as the volume requirements of world trade increase, harbour operators must ensure their loading/unloading equipment is in top condition, always available for use, and able to adapt to new operational, commercial and safety requirements.
The best way to maintain such equipment is constant monitoring while it is working. This will allow the work to be totalised so that pre-emptive maintenance scheduling can be optimised, and will also instantly pick up early signs of emerging problems, such as sticking bearings.
The work done is directly related to the totalised load lifted, a parameter that crane and loader operators should also be measuring for both safety and commercial reasons.
Constant load monitoring used to be very difficult, but Sensor Technology has developed the perfect solution. Called LoadSense, it was originally used with helicopters carrying underslung loads in cargo nets and has now been adapted for use on ground-based materials handling equipment.
The technology involves a sensor being fitted to each crane or unloader. Once installed this does not interfere with handling operations at all, but constantly sends real time data via a wireless link to a computer, where it can be displayed, stored, totalised and analysed to provide performance information to the operators and billing information for the customers.
LoadSense is an intelligent load sensor that can easily be integrated with a mobile harbour crane. Designed and manufactured by Sensor Technology in Banbury UK, it is fully automatic so causes no disruption to normal operations. Special training is not required; instead comprehensive and easily understood information becomes instantly available to operators and managers alike.
Latest News
Smart Ship Hub expects breakthrough year for digitalisation in 2026
(Posted on 23/12/25)Leading vessel performance platform Smart Ship Hub says the industry should expect a breakthrough year... Read more
Accelerating zero-carbon shipping in the Nordics
(Posted on 18/12/25)The Nordic countries are taking an important step towards decarbonising maritime transport with the... Read more
Steelpaint appoints ADD Marine to drive growth in Greece and Cyprus
(Posted on 18/12/25)Germany’s Steelpaint has appointed ADD Marine as its representative for Greece and Cyprus, strengthening... Read more
Rio Tinto’s first Pilbara-made rail car built by Gemco in Karratha
(Posted on 09/12/25)Rio Tinto’s first Pilbara-made iron ore rail car has rolled off the production line in Karratha... Read more
Electric Liebherr portal crane strengthens Baria Serece, Vietnam
(Posted on 04/12/25)Precision meets progress at Phu My Port, Vietnam. The LPS 550 has been deployed to handle bulk commodities... Read more
bound4blue targets Asian growth with new production capabilities
(Posted on 02/12/25)bound4blue, a global leader in wind propulsion systems, has expanded its industrial footprint in Asia... Read more
DNV: Methanol as marine fuel at high readiness level
(Posted on 02/12/25)As the industry explores multiple decarbonisation pathways, methanol is gaining attention as a practical... Read more
Repeat Aasen bulk carrier order emphasises Wärtsilä hybrid strength
(Posted on 24/11/25)Technology group Wärtsilä will supply an integrated hybrid propulsion system for a bulk carrier... Read more
Superior bring big iron and bigger ideas
(Posted on 24/11/25)Superior Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and... Read more
ESL connectivity upgrade enables smarter operations and supports crew wellbeing
(Posted on 15/11/25)ESL Shipping has taken a significant step forward in digitalisation by deploying a new multichannel... Read more
