Maasvlakte 2 terminals opt for ABB crane remote control system

The terminals are designed to serve the largest container ships, which require lifting heights of more than 50 m and ABB’s system will enable the cranes to be operated remotely without a driver on board, for improved overall efficiency. Scheduled to open in 2014, the terminals will be the first in Europe to use remote STS cranes and APM’s terminals will be the first in the world where STS cranes have no driver’s cabin installed.

According to ABB, the remote control of cranes improves overall productivity and working ergonomics for crane operators and helps reduce the stress on the operator’s back and neck.

ABB’s system has the crane operators working in a control room located in the terminal building where they supervise the crane motion via onboard cameras which are said to offer more comprehensive views than those available from inside the crane cabin. Combined with access to control information provided by the automation system, they help to improve overall operator performance.