Efficient Container Loading in the Port Environment

Euroports is an international, full-service ports operator offering maritime supply chain solutions through their own terminals. They provide freight forwarding and value-added services, including their own in-house logistics company, Manuport Logistics (MPL). Approximately 46 million tons of goods are transported annually across a network of 25 port terminals in Europe and Asia. Most of the goods are single pieces and bulk goods. Established in 2006, Euroports employs 2,550 people.

Rauma is a town on the west coast of Finland where Euroports runs the largest multipurpose terminal in the region. The Port of Rauma is particularly important for the Finnish forest industry, transporting locally-made products such as paper and wood.

Book a FREE Loading Assessment

Learn how to make the loading process safer and more efficient with a no-obligation assessment...

Business Challenge:

easier, cleaner and faster loading of wood into containers

In Rauma, Euroports Finland had been loading lumber into containers with two heavy-duty forklifts. Even when the loading was done carefully, it was easy to damage the containers, the protective wrapping on the loads or the loads themselves. People were needed on the ground to help the forklift drivers align the loads with the container. It could sometimes be difficult to open or close the container doors, depending on where the container was located, since containers could be anywhere in the yard area. Forklift tyres tracked dirt into the containers, which then had to be cleaned. It easily took 30 minutes to fill one container.

Euroports was sure that container loading could be easier and faster. They wanted a new solution that would lower the risk of damage, improve safety and make their container loading operations more space and time efficient. Whatever they decided on, it had to be ideal for lumber in containers in a port environment.

solution:

LoadPlate streamlines wood loading operations

We brought our innovative container loading equipment LoadPlate® to Euroports Finland at the Port of Rauma in two stages.

In the first stage, only one forklift was needed to deliver lumber products to a LoadPlate equipped with a scale to measure the full weight of the load before filling containers up to 45 feet. Some technical adjustments, such as the distance between the lift truck forks and the positioning of the guide rollers on the LoadPlate were needed to suit the specific situation. This is quite normal. It was a standard loading application in a port environment.

However, in the second stage, a single LoadPlate was serving multiple container stands. We at Actiw also helped to plan the layout of a new warehouse, giving feedback on construction and how the product could flow to maximise the benefit of the LoadPlate.

benefits of LoadPlate

Actiw LoadPlate ensures the efficiency and safety of your container loading operations.

Improve Work Safety

When load handling involves manual work, there is a high risk to safety in each step. When you automate the process, you reduce that risk.

Prevent handling damage

Eliminate damage to your products when loading them into trucks or containers. A reliable automatic loading solution keeps your products intact and your end customers satisfied.

Increase operational efficiency

Automation eliminates unnecessary work in load handling. A typical loading crew has three members, whereas LoadPlate can be run by a single operator.

Save on machinery investment

LoadPlate significantly reduces your fixed asset costs, replacing a fleet of forklifts with one loading machine.

Increase loading capacity

When stuffing long goods or special cargo, LoadPlate can increase total handling capacity by 33% compared with traditional loading.

Boost eco-efficiency

LoadPlate generates additional savings by reducing energy consumption. It runs on electriticy instead of diesel oil, eliminating harmful emissions.

outcome:

faster loading, better safety and cleaner containers

Ports are typically a challenging environment in which to introduce new processes and equipment as they run on tight schedules, and it can take a little time to adapt at first. However, now that the new warehouse has been built and LoadPlate has proved its worth, a new level of efficiency defines Euroports Finland’s lumber loading operations.

Depending on initial load forming, the container loading process using one forklift and LoadPlate now takes only 10-15 minutes. Weighing prevents overloaded containers, and more efficient loading has minimized the risk of damage, proven by the fact that customers no longer report it. Because people are not needed on the ground to guide the loading process, the level of safety has greatly increased. Containers are always loaded in the same areas, so space is better allocated, and there are no obstructions to opening or closing the container doors, keeping up a smooth process flow.

The containers always pass floor quality inspection because the forklift trucks no longer enter them. Finally, LoadPlate requires only a small amount of maintenance and used less energy than the second forklift, reducing both fuel expenses and environmental impact.

Euroports Finland have been very happy with Actiw’s understanding of maritime logistics, the technical expertise, and the high quality of the LoadPlate equipment. As a result, Euroports is considering Actiw LoadPlate for some of their other facilities in the future.

Virtual Showroom

LoadPlate in port conditions

Are you wondering how our LoadPlate system will suit your port environment?

Use our Virtual Showroom and configure your LoadPlate setup, from the installation type to product handling, visualise how our LoadPlate system would fit in your operations.

View LoadPlate in Port Conditions

watch automated truck loading with LoadPlate in action

Actiw LoadPlate® is a one-shot loading system for standard non-modified sea containers and trailers. It has proven itself all around the world in improving work safety, preventing handling damages, increasing your operational efficiency, and increasing your loading capacity.

Watch how we help Versowood quicken their loading time, increase their loading capacity, and boost their overall loading efficiency

Watch Here

don't just take our word for it...

Automating and Optimising the Stora Enso Container Stuffing Operations

STEICO increased the safety and speed of loading by investing in LoadPlate

Actiw automated CCEN’s production warehouse for Maximized utilization of existing warehouse with high handling capacity

schedule a consultation

speak to the experts

Contact us today for a consultation session with a member of our Systems team.

During the consultation, a Joloda Hydraroll Group Systems Expert will speak with you about your business' current logistics operations, plans and goals.

We have over 60+ years of experience providing cutting-edge technological solutions to the logistics industry and have helped countless companies around the world lighten their load.

Book Now

Take A Load Off...

why choose us?

We help businesses lighten loads and are highly regarded as the world's leading loading and unloading solutions provider in the logistics industry. Over the last 60 years, we've helped thousands of businesses streamline their logistics operations to be more cost-efficient, more sustainable, and more health and safety-conscious. Learn more About Us, here.

As experts in all kinds of unloading and unloading solutions, we can help innovate, automate and streamline your end-of-production line problems, wherever you are.

Get in touch with our experts today to learn how we can provide a safe working environment, call our friendly team on +44 (0) 151 427 8954, on our Let's Chat page, via email on sales@joloda.com or on LinkedIn...

OUR NETWORK

a global leader, with local partners

Around the world, we’re known as the number one; the global leader in loading and unloading solutions. This is not only because we are the largest but also the first too; we've been pioneering loading solutions since 1962.

What truly makes us great is our fantastic product assortment supported by the best partners worldwide. We have an experienced network of 30+ distributors that also support an aftersales network, which is key, especially for automatic loading and unloading.

Learn more about our global distributor network here.

Learn More

sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to have the latest industry news and updates delivered straight to your inbox.

efficient container loading in the port environment