Linkspans ordered to support new ferry services

Among them is a contract to supply the Norwegian Port of Grenland with a linkspan to accommodate the new Fjordline ferry service to Hirtshals in Denmark. Delivery of the equipment is due in August of this year.

“This order is an extension of a series of deliveries to the Norwegian ports of Larvik, Kristiansand and Stavanger that we have undertaken since 2007, explained Clas Hedelin, Cargotec’s sales manager for MacGregor port and terminal solutions.

“Almost at the same time as the Grenland order, we secured a contract to supply and install four floating taxi terminals to the municipalities of Vikna, Naeroy and Leka in Norway. All of the facilities are based on the use of modular pontoon sections, which form an L-shaped berthing dock for the ferry.

“A bridge-ramp from the pontoon landing face ensures tidal independence for the facility and direct passenger access to shore.”

Last year, Cargotec won a turnkey contract with Scandlines in Denmark for the Port of Gedser. The contract called for double deck loading ramps, a passenger gangway, a provisions handling elevator and an auto-mooring unit linked with a storm mooring device. Delivery of the equipment was completed in early April this year and supports a new ferry service between Gedser (Denmark) and Rostock (Germany), which will be run by two new 170m Scandlines’ ferries, Berlin and Copenhagen.

To meet the requirements for this expanded service, both ports required some upgrades and as a result, in mid-2011 the Port of Rostock also signed a contract with Cargotec for one auto-mooring unit for berth 54, and subsequently added upgrade work to an existing auto-mooring unit, which was delivered in 2007, to the contract. “This work was required as the unit had to be moved from its present quay to a new position as a complimentary unit for berth 54. The delivery and commissioning of both units are to be aligned with the deliveries in Gedser, as they are tailor-made for the same vessels”, said Mr Hedelin.