Container Transport
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OCL return to UK
ARRANGEMENTS have been made with the British Transport Docks Board for OCL /ACT consortium container ships temporarily to use the "Common User Berth" at Southampton terminal. Three of the consortium's ships, Encounter Bay, Act 1 and Flinders Bay, at present returning from Australia will go into Southampton, and this port will continue to be used while the turn-round and handling service meets the consortium's requirements.
Liverpool was also considered but restricted facilities and labour difficulties were the factors leading to a decision against this. Use is still being made of Rotterdam, to which OCL /ACT turned dramatically when labour difficulties made it impossible to use Tilbury for the inauguration of their UK /Australia service.
There is no news yet about the settlement of the Tilbury labour dispute.
Protective lining
GARDEX is the name given to a new highdensity polythene protective lining material suitable for use in freight containers. Supplied in widths of 1,2,3 and 5ft and in a variety of lengths the material can easily be fitted to standard containers. Fixing is by means of Tap-It nylon rivets. The built-in resilience of the lining is claimed to give a longer working life free from the worries of damage to container, contents or loading equipment. Suppliers are the US Expansion Bolt Co. (G8) Ltd., Polesdon Lane, Ripley, Surrey.
New container cranes
TWO new cranes for container handling have been produced by A. B. Haggfund and Soner of Sweden. One of the cranes, a 25-toncapacity model with a low centre of gravity, is designed for general cargo handling as well as 20ft ISO containers. A spreader is available for use when handling containers to enable the load to be turned and tilted to facilitate storage. The crane is controlled by only two levers, one for hoisting, the other for luffing and slewing, which makes operation simple.
The other type is made up of twin cranes which can be used together or separately and can be mounted in a fixed position or it can be rail-mounted for mobility. UK agents are A. Johnson and Co. (London), Villiers House, Strand, London, WC2.
Lost cargo
THE Institute of Insurance in London reports that the use of containers has reduced cargo losses, but stresses the importance of ensuring the efficient stowage and securing of freight in containers. A pilot study on shippers' experience reveals claims due to loss of containers overboard and damage as a result of accidents while being carried by road. However, there were no claims for pilferage or non-delivery.
Ferry rate reduction.
MANN and Son Ltd. claims a drastic reduction in its Harwich-Copenhagen rates for roll-on /off services. The new rate, which came into force on May 1, is a flat rate per unit; previously it was lOs 9d per so.ft. On the old rate a 20ft trailer would have cost about £86; the new rate is £"64.
New ships ... for Blue Star Line
TWO 15,000-ton cellular container ships have been ordered by Blue Star Line with an option for two more. The ships are to be used for trade between Europe and the North American Pacific coast.
. .. for Norfolk Line
THE Norfolk Line is to build a £600,000 sister ship to the Duke of Holland. The roll-on /off container ship is due to be completed in April or May 1970 and will be used on the Scheveningen-Great Yarmouth run.