New Cargo System on Container Vessels Reduces Emissions for Every TEU

FINLAND – SWITZERLAND – CHINA – MacGregor, a part of the giant materials handling empire of Helsinki headquartered Cargotec, which also includes subsidiaries like port handling and fork lift truck specialists Kalmar, has been awarded a contract by container shipping line MSC to upgrade six of its 16,000 TEU box vessels.

The third partner in the deal is the Guangzhou Wenchong Dockyard and the trio are to carry out an upgrade to the six container vessels currently owned and operated by the Swiss line. These 'Cargo Boost' orders will be booked into MacGregor`s second quarter 2019 order intake and the upgrades will be implemented during dry docking in 2020. The parties have agreed not to disclose any further contractual details.

MacGregor is a leader in intelligent maritime cargo and load handling with a strong portfolio of MacGregor, Hatlapa, Porsgrunn, Pusnes, Rapp and Triplex products, services and solutions, all designed to perform in a maritime environment. The company and MSC have together jointly defined and developed the cargo system solution for these vessels, and Magnus Sjöberg, Senior Vice President, Cargo Handling and RoRo, MacGregor, explained saying:

"The objective was to determine the best solution for the operating profile and to deliver a modern, efficient and environmentally-friendly upgraded cargo system.”

The pair have history, MacGregor it was which designed the cargo system for the world’s largest containership, MSC Gülsün, which was delivered in July 2019 by South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries. Giuseppe Gargiulo Head of Newbuildings at MSC said only last month that the cooperation with MacGregor enabled them to develop new solutions which were of mutual benefit.

Of the new deal he reiterated that MSC is committed to promoting a sustainable business model that goes far beyond a ‘business as usual’ approach, remaining true to its roots and its core family values, continuing:

"MacGregor's Cargo Boost is a good example how we can drive down the energy required to transport each individual container and reduce emissions per transported TEU."

A video of the Cargo Boost concept can be viewed here.