Following a request from Stena Line Scandinavia and the Port of Kiel to overcome a defect on the port’s upper deck RoRo ramp, Gothenburg-based TTS Port Equipment AB has now successfully completed the project with zero downtime to the ramp’s operation
The two RoPax vessels for which the ramp was designed, M/S Scandinavia and M/S Germanica, serve the Stena Line route between Gothenburg and Kiel. The defect, a protruding ramp knuckle, was presenting an obstacle to trailers which were being scraped underneath as they passed over the knuckle. Flow of traffic over the ramp was therefore impeded, causing unnecessary delay.
TTS’ recommendation for the upgrading of the ramp included the optimisation of transition angles for the RoRo cargo by lowering the ramp and making other small but important alterations to the ramp’s geometry to improve traffic flow. These modifications have subsequently halved the unloading time.
Work was carried out such that both vessels were able to maintain standard timetables. A significant portion of the project management was to guarantee the normal flow of traffic twice each day.
In addition to the ramp modification, TTS has installed a new support structure for the passenger gangway on the vessels’ shell. This will improve the gangway’s safe operation.
The crew of M/S Germanica has commented:
“The modified ramp is far better now the trailers can drive ashore unimpeded. The unloading time is now half that of the old ramp. The work carried out has been very professional, with a minimum of disturbance to our passengers.”
About TTS
Norway’s TTS Marine ASA comprises four divisions – Dry Cargo Handling (Sweden); Port and Material Handling (Sweden); Marine Cranes (Norway); and Deck Machinery (Germany). Part of the Port and Material Handling division, TTS Port Equipment AB, located in Gothenburg, is designated the port equipment ‘Centre of Excellence’.
Gothenburg, 19 February 2006
For more details, contact:
Håkan Jönsson
Sales Manager
TTS Port Equipment AB
Tel: +46 31 725 7873
E-mail: info@tts-port.se
