B&B Attachments has supplied two vacuum lifting systems to Associated British Ports (ABP) at the Port of King’s Lynn in the English County of Norfolk.

According to the company, the lifting systems will provide a safer and more efficient method of handling large-diameter water pipes throughout the vessel discharge and storage process.

The vacuum lifting attachments use advanced suction technology to securely grip the pipe surfaces, allowing operators to lift and position the loads with greater control, while reducing the need for personnel to work in close proximity to suspended loads.

“We were looking for a solution that would allow us to offload large water pipes safely and efficiently,” says Andy Constable, head of operations at ABP, in East Anglia. “The vacuum lifters supplied by B&B Attachments have delivered exactly that, giving our operators greater confidence and control during discharge operations.”

Each of the vacuum lifting systems is capable of handling up to three 14-metre-long pipes in a single lift, with a nominal lifting capacity of approximately 10,000kg.

The units feature radio-controlled individual vacuum pad isolation, interchangeable battery packs and interchangeable vacuum pads to accommodate the two pipe diameters being handled at the port.

A 25,000kg capacity crane, fitted with a vacuum lifter, is used to safely discharge the water pipes from the vessel onto a shunter wagon.

The shunter then transports the pipes along the dock to a storage yard, where a second vacuum lifting system, mounted on a 42,000kg reach stacker, offloads and stacks the pipes ready for onward transportation.

“Vacuum lifting technology offers a highly effective way of handling difficult loads without mechanical gripping or slinging arrangements,” says Steve Egginton, key account manager at B&B Attachments.

“We are pleased to support ABP with a solution that improves operational efficiency while reinforcing safe working practices on the quayside.”