As concerns relating to environmental issues increase, various legislative directives highlight the responsibilities and obligations required of operators working in areas where water contamination is a potential risk factor. Conscious of the walkways’ proximity to water, the decision was made to fill the system with Panolin long life hydraulic oil, providing them with an environmentally considerate alternative.

By choosing Panolin, ABP will benefit from a reduction in energy consumption and from a reduction in the amount of waste produced.

At Holyhead, the latest stage in a programme of upgrade and maintenance on Stena Lines' linkspan has recently been completed. All four of the linkspan's hydraulic cylinders have been replaced, adding extra load bearing capacity to the structure. The finger flaps have also been replaced with a revised design.

The replacement and testing of the first cylinder was completed in October 2006. The remaining three cylinders have since been replaced during a shutdown during October 2007 to complete the overhaul. For the upper deck of the linkspan, the two cylinders have been replaced with larger capacity units. This is in response to the additional loads now placed on the structure, due mostly to the typical increase in lorry sizes from 38 to 44 tons. The need for increased capacity was identified during a PUWER safety audit of Terminal 3, carried out in line with the EU’s Machinery Directive.

The replacement of the cylinders was accompanied by the changeover of the main power unit and pipework with Tungum tubing. This was followed by the replacement of the finger flaps with a new design to accommodate the requirement for a vehicle retaining barrier. All of these changes were completed between sailings with no disruption to the ferry sailings.

During the power unit replacement the hydraulic fluid was replaced with Panolin HLP Synth, a synthetic high performance oil that delivers good long term wear protection for hydraulic cylinders. It also works well at low temperatures and in high pressure environments. Another feature of interest to port operators is the oil’s environmental credentials. Any leakage or redundant oil is fully decomposed by soil or water micro-organisms without affecting the environment.