Car carriers with all-electric cargo handling equipment enter service

Cargotec's growing electric-drive RoRo reference portfolio now includes the first vessel to have all-electrically-driven RoRo access equipment entering service. The 4,000-unit pure car truck carrier (PCTC), “Iris Ace”, is owned and operated by the Japanese company, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (MOL) and features an electrically-driven MacGregor stern quarter ramp/door, side ramps and two movable ramps from Cargotec.
Iris Ace was delivered earlier this year and was followed into operation by two 6,400-unit pure car carriers (PCCs), Cattleya Ace and Carnation Ace. Each of these two ships features an electrically-driven MacGregor stern quarter ramp/door, a centre ramp/door and six movable ramps. All equipment is operated by electric winches and actuators, eliminating the use of hydraulic oil in the operating system.
"When you replace hydraulically-powered deck machinery with electric versions, one of the greatest environmental benefits that you gain is the elimination of potential hydraulic oil leaks. These cause pollution and can also damage cargo. It was the high incidence of cargo damage that was a primary concern for car manufacturers, who ultimately put pressure on shipowners to come up with a solution to the problem," says Magnus Sjöberg, Sales Director for RoRo ships at Cargotec.