Abstract: A container terminal includes a shore working area, loading-unloading passages, a yard area and collection-evacuation passages. The shore working area is arranged on the shore, and a ship is docked at the shore. The yard area comprises a plurality of yard units. Spacing areas are formed between adjacent yard units. Each yard unit comprises at least one yard. Each yard unit is arranged with a collection-evacuation passage surrounding the yard. Loading-unloading passages are arranged in the spacing areas between adjacent yard units. The loading-unloading passages connect the yard area and the shore working area. The collection-evacuation passages are arranged in the yard units. The loading-unloading passages and the collection-evacuation passages are in a same horizontal plane but do not intersect with each other.

Abstract: A bulk material handling system and method use a horizontal boom frame supporting a conveyor mechanism for bulk material that is slidable relative to the horizontal boom frame. The conveyor mechanism is positioned such that, with bulk material received at a fixed location, or loading axis, on the horizontal boom frame, a portion of the conveyor mechanism will always be positioned to receive bulk material. The horizontal boom frame can also be made rotatable about the loading axis. By rotating the horizontal boom frame and advancing or withdrawing the conveyor mechanism, the discharge point for bulk materials relative to the loading axis can be altered radially and angularly without interrupting the flow of bulk materials through the system. A supply bridge assembly can be employed to bring the bulk materials to the loading axis of the boom.

Abstract: A container handling system comprising a crane and a plurality of base elements. The base elements are designed for resting on containers and the crane is designed for being supported on containers or base elements. Containers can be transported on the base elements, which are preferably arranged to form a path. Also cranes, other base element etc. can travel on the paths. Base elements may be provided with rollers or the like and may comprise a turning unit for turning containers etc. about a vertical axis. The system may handle containers stored in a three-dimensional array by arranging base elements on top of containers, lifting containers onto base elements and moving containers across or along base elements to another location in the array. The array may be in a container yard or on a carrier vessel, where the handling system is part of its onboard equipment.

Abstract: Systems, equipment and processes involving one or more aspects such as extending the scope of automation in port container facilities, increasing port capacity within fixed land resources, increasing operational productivity, increasing safety, increasing the velocity and reliability of goods movement, increasing freight security, reducing negative environmental impacts, and/or reducing the overall cost of goods movement are disclosed. In some implementations, storage areas may be accessed by automated guided vehicles which receive and unload containerized loads.

Abstract: Provided are a container terminal and a control method therefor that enhance a cargo handling efficiency by reducing a movement of each yard crane to a minimum possible extent. The container terminal is provided with a first transfer area 44 outside one end portion of a storage lane 20, and a second transfer area 47 outside the other end portion. When a circulating transport vehicle 31 and a shuttle vehicle 32 transfer a container k therebetween via a first yard crane 13 in the first transfer area 44, the shuttle vehicle 32 transports the container k to a second yard crane 14, and the second yard crane 14 handles the container in an unloading container area 46 of the storage lane 20.

Abstract: A loading system for loading bulk material from a bulk material production plant onto a ship has at least one stationary intermediate storage container for receiving the bulk material from the bulk material production plant. A first loading conveying device is used to convey the bulk material from the bulk material production plant into the intermediate storage container. A second loading conveying device is used to convey the bulk material from the intermediate storage container into the ship. An unloading system for loading bulk material from a ship onto transporters has a stationary intermediate storage container for receiving the bulk material from the ship. Two unloading conveying devices are used to convey the bulk material, from the ship into the intermediate storage container and, from the intermediate storage container into the transporters.

Abstract: Described are structures, such as wind turbine structures for offshore sites, comprising transport elements configured for complementary mating with engagement elements of a clamp, which allow for transporting of the structures using that clamp. Generally, the transport element is provided at an attachment region of a tower, or the like, where the tower would attach to a support, such as a jacket. There is also described apparatus for allowing for transport of a wind turbine structure, comprising a clamp. In some cases, the apparatus is also configured so as to modify the effective centre of gravity of an associated structure, and/or the effective centre of inertia of an associated structure.

Abstract: A system for connecting a connector end fitting of a mobile flexible liquid supply pipe, for liquified natural gas, for example, to a fixed tubing located on a support with a different system, such as the manifold of a liquid transporter ship. The system comprises a guide device for guiding the fitting in the fixed tubing, for establishment of a connection, and including a cone mounted on the pipe for engagement with a trumpet on the fixed tubing during connection, with a tractive effort applied by a cable fixed to the cone. The guide device is fixed to the fitting on the flexible pipe and is coaxial to the flexible pipe. The invention is applicable to the connection of a hose to the manifold of a ship.

Abstract: A very long article such as rigid steel pipeline (100) is transferred to a laying vessel (200). The vessel has apparatus (206, 208) for lowering such articles into the sea in a controlled manner. The transfer and laying is conducted in a first step of spooling said article from a source facility (104) onto an intermediate storage reel (12, 102, 102) separate from the laying vessel, and a second step of transferring the article from the intermediate reel to storage (202,203) on the laying vessel. The intermediate reel (102) is supported primarily by its own buoyancy in water, floating adjacent the source facility (104) during said spooling step and floating adjacent the laying vessel (200) during said transferring step. The floating reel may be provided with a buoyant frame (900).

Abstract: A system and process for improving container flow within a port facility, including improved equipment and software for controlling operation and flow of the equipment in the part facility. The system may include a port facility geographically arranged to separate land operations and water operations. Land operation's such as over-the-road missions and rail missions may use landside access areas positioned at one end of a yard including rows of container stacks. Water missions such as loading/discharging a vessel may use waterside access areas positioned at the opposite end of the yard. Automated cranes linked with a terminal operating system may pick/drop/shuffle containers and/or refrigerated containers (“reefers”) within the container stacks. Shuttle trucks may be used to pick/drop containers at quayside access points and the waterside access areas. The shuttle trucks may utilize shared wheelpaths. Software systems may be used to implement various principles of the disclosure.

Abstract: A swingable spacing dock is configured to berth a ship spaced from the shoreline and includes a support positioned on shore, a swingable dock arm pivotally mounted on the support, and a powered drive. The dock arm is driven by the powered drive to swing between a ship docking position where the dock arm extends outwardly beyond the shoreline to engage the berthed ship and a storage position where the dock arm is positioned substantially entirely over the shore.

Abstract: A device for inserting and removing securing fittings for twist-lock containers includes a support plate for containers, which is provided with a pneumatically or hydraulically driven screwing mechanism with a slot gripper for each expected position of a securing fitting for the twist-lock container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container transfer port system for transferring containers between an onshore container terminal and an offshore container terminal located apart from the onshore terminal. The container transfer port system of the present invention comprises: an offshore quay (32) at the offshore container terminal (31) equipped with cranes (13) for transferring containers (11) between the offshore quay (32) and a ship (12) berthed to the quay (32); an undersea tunnel (41) constructed between undersea of the quay (32) and underground of the onshore container terminal (21) for providing a route for transferring the containers; a tunnel conveyor (45) installed in the tunnel (41) for transferring the containers along the tunnel (41): an offshore lift (52) for transferring the containers vertically between the offshore quay (32) and the tunnel (41); and an onshore lift (51) for transferring the containers vertically between the tunnel (41) and the onshore container terminal (21).

Abstract: A non-permanent system for the unloading and loading of ocean-going cargo vessels is described using a cargo transfer system which is supported by dirigibles or airships. The cargo transfer system is comprised of a moving transfer cable, a cargo lifting device and a cargo staging device. The system is used to transfer cargo between at least one sea terminus and at least one land terminus. Cargo is moved along the transfer cable from one terminus to another by means of dirigibles or airships. The sea-terminus of the system may be a floating temporary dock or a large ocean vessel such as an aircraft carrier. The system can be developed so that it is fully transportable and can be assembled and launched from a large ship, as well as recovered for movement to another location. The system may also be used at inland ports. The system can be sized to the port requirements using one transfer system or multiple systems.

Abstract: A personal transfer device for transferring a boater from a dock to a boat moored in a boat lift adjacent the dock, and back again. A cantilevered support is secured to an upper part of the boat lift frame, the support's free end extending out over the dock at a height that does not interfere with normal use of the dock. A hoist carriage, for example a monorail trolley hoist, is movably secured on the cantilever support, and is connected to a transport chair that can be located over the dock at a convenient height for a handicapped boater to seat and/or secure himself. A controller is accessible to the boater seated in the transport chair to raise himself off the dock to a height sufficient to clear any intervening boat lift structures or frame members, and to then transport himself horizontally along the support through the boat lift structure to the boat, where he then lowers himself onto the boat using the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for conveying drill cuttings employing a conveyance gas to induce movement of the non-free flowing drill cuttings in a vessel.

Abstract: A terminal structure (1) for storing and transferring a cargo (51), the terminal structure (1) being separated from a first quay at which cargo (51) is unloaded from and loaded onto ships (50) by a transitional buffer zone (20) i which the cargo (51) is temporarily stored, the terminal structure (1) comprising a storage and transfer area for storing cargo and loading/unloading cargo onto/from land transport devices (60-62), such as for example trucks, railcars or inland navigation vessels, a transfer side (11) for transferring cargo to and from the transitional buffer zone (20), a plurality of third cargo transferring devices (4A-4I), each adapted to travel in a first direction between the transfer side (11) and the storage and transfer area and to pick up, carry and deposit a cargo (51) between a location at the transfer side (11) and a location within the storage and transfer area, and a plurality of fourth cargo transferring devices (10A ), each adapted to travel in a second direction non-parallel to the f

Abstract: A method of building a levee or an island is disclosed. The method includes dredging material from a surface of a body of water with a dredge assembly mounted to a hull and supporting a hopper with the hull. The hopper is adapted to receive the material. The hopper includes a floor with a portion of the floor moveable to permit movement of the material in the hopper, and depositing at a desired location dredge material from the dredge using a transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A container crane includes a movable trolley and a load-carrying frame pendantly connected to the trolley and comprised of a spreader and a head block, for transfer of a container from or to a transport vehicle. Plural optical detectors are mounted on the trolley for identifying longitudinal and transversal edges of the head block or spreader and the transport vehicle. Operatively connected to the detectors is a processing device for determining a spatial position of the edges and calculating a position of longitudinal and transversal center lines of the head block or spreader and the transport vehicle and their spatial positions in relation to one another. In this way a possible offset of the center lines of the head block or spreader with regard to those of the transport vehicle in longitudinal and transversal directions as well as a rotation angle of the center lines can be determined, whereby a detected offset or rotation angle is compensated by displacing the spreader relative to the head block.

Abstract: A multi-modal system for transport of particulate material includes a plurality of ship based hoppers mounted within the hold of a ship. Each such hopper includes a container for particulate material, a container inlet by which particulate material can be loaded into the container by entrainment, and a container outlet through which particulate material can be unloaded from the container by entrainment. The system also includes a product loading internal manifold located within the hold of the ship and connected to a container inlet for a plurality of ship based hoppers, and a product unloading internal manifold located within the hold of the ship and connected to a container outlet for a plurality of ship based hoppers.

Abstract: A method and system for a quay container crane with container code recognition of a container identified by a container code with container positional identification is disclosed. The system and method are capable of performing these tasks without the use of non-standard container tagging.

Abstract: A scheduling method for loading and unloading the containers is developed and computerized for efficiently operating the loading and unloading cargo from the container ship to the assigned storage site or vice versa, and organizing the container storage system. A computer readable recording medium is also developed for recording the computer programs of the scheduling method for effectively performing the optimal loading and unloading process with the shortest time consuming. The recording medium contains a data acquiring step for establishing Yard Information Database, Container Database, Shipping Order Database, a Unloading Step including assigning an available quay location identifying unloading containers and assigning an available container storage site, Loading Step including identify the loading containers, location of storage site, cargo destination and ship quay location, and Data Storing Step for maintaining Bay Plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging/discharging equipment movable on a quay for charging of bulk (13) into a ship's hold (11), respectively for discharging therefrom, comprising—a first conveyor for transferring a batch of bulk (13) from a quay (7) at least to the level of the board of a ship (10),—a horizontal intermediate conveyor (3) connected to the discharging end of said first conveyor to receive the batch bulk (13),—an elevator frame (4) mounted in the front of the discharging end of said intermediate conveyor (3) as well as—an elevator platform (5) movable in the elevator frame (4) between the level of the intermediate conveyor (3) and the bottom end of the elevator frame (4) for transferring the batch bulk (13) into the hold (11).

Abstract: To increase the safety of a transfer assembly for hydrocarbon products, particularly liquefied natural gas from a production site to a transport vessel (8) (such as a shuttle tanker), the invention proposes to provide the production site with an outrigger structure (10) with at the distant end thereof a compacted length of a flexible product transfer hose (20).

Abstract: The invention is a method for lifting and transporting a heavy load comprising using a heavy lift vessel with at least two heavy lift cranes adapted to operate simultaneously; mounting a deep water deployment system on each crane adapted to increase hook travel the crane; shifting the load from the first location to over a second location on the heavy lift vessel; placing the load on the second location; moving the heavy lift vessel to a second position; using a conventional mooring system to maintain the heavy lift vessel at the second position; picking up the load from the second location using the cranes simultaneously; shifting the load from a second location to over a third location; and placing the load on the third location.

Abstract: In a method of automating the loading and unloading of container ships in container terminals, a stowage plan of a ship cargo compartment to be handled by a container crane is transmitted from a harbor-side master computer via a data link to a PC of a crane automation system which renders the container crane operative in response to the stowage plan for transporting containers between a container ship and a repository location in a container storage area of the container terminal. The stowage plan is displayed on a touch screen of the crane automation system, whereby a next following repository location to be handled in the stowage plan is indicated on the touch screen, e.g. through a change in color.

Abstract: A system for transferring a fluid product between a carrier, such as a vessel, and an installation, in particular a fixed installation, for processing and storing the product. The system includes a tubular structure for conveying the product between the vessel and the installation, a device for connection to a manifold of the vessel and a flexible transfer pipe connected to the installation. The connection device and the pipe are connectable to each other at free ends for transferring the fluid product between the vessel and the installation. At least the free end of the flexible transfer pipe includes a product handler for displacing the free end between a position for connection to the connection device and a disengaged position for storage. The invention enables the transfer of cryogenic liquefied natural gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a flexible bunk beam and a convex cushion attached to the beam using locking elements. The beam has a longitudinal recess with a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower anchor portion, and the cushion has an elongated cushion locking member lockably insertable into the recess. The cushion locking member has a narrow upper neck portion and a larger lower portion sized to snuggly fit within the recess. The cushion includes internal voids and walls. The beam includes sidewalls with bores forming bearing surfaces.

Abstract: A gangway includes a ladder, which is removably attachable to extend along a side of a boat, and a ramp, which is removably and pivotally attachable to the ladder at a number of vertically spaced locations. The ladder may include a step that is pivoted to extend outward for use with the ramp attached at or below the step. The gangway may also include a removable step that can be attached to the ladder at the locations provided for attachment of the ladder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging/discharging equipment movable on a quay for charging of bulk (13) into a ship's hold (11), respectively for discharging therefrom, comprising

Abstract: A goods transshipment apparatus having a mobile substructure with a superstructure mounted so as to be rotatable relative to said substructure and having a driver's cab and engine compartment and a jib or jib system jointed to the superstructure wherein the superstructure is adjustable between a lower position (resting position I) on the substructure and an upper position (operating position II) at a spacing from the substructure.

Abstract: A radio IC number tag (10) having a container number (1a) inputted is applied on a container (1); a radio document tag (14) having container (1) physical distribution information inputted is set to a trailer (2); and a radio antenna (11) is arranged at a gate of a container terminal. Upon passage of the trailer (2) through the gate, the radio antenna (11) receives the physical distribution information transmitted from the radio IC document tag (14) while reading the container number from the radio IC number tag (10) applied on the container (1). Such information is sent to a physical distribution information center (31). A computer (31a) in the physical distribution information center (31) checks up the container number (1a) with the physical distribution information and the like for confirmation and data-processing to send a command signal for a storage address to the trailer (2) through the radio antenna (11).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for effecting the transportation of sulfur pellets with the recovery of sulfur fines is disclosed. This is accomplished by a combination of steps and apparatus which include pumping water from a water supply into solid sulfur pellets with a jet-venturi/eductor pumping system to produce a sulfur water slurry containing sulfur pellets and sulfur fines, pumping the sulfur water slurry with one or more rotating disk/boundary layer pumps to a series of static screens to remove large lumps and impurities, a sulfur fines slurry, and a washed sulfur pellet slurry, contacting the sulfur pellet slurry with a dewatering disk to remove substantially all the remaining water, transporting the dewatered sulfur pellets to storage, pumping the sulfur fines slurry to a hydrocyclone to separate all the water from the sulfur fines, recycling the recovered water to said water supply following the addition of an alkaline neutralizing agent when needed, and recovering the sulfur fines.

Abstract: A method and system for a quay container crane with container code recognition of a container identified by a container code with container positional identification is disclosed. The system and method are capable of performing these tasks without the use of non-standard container tagging.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cargo transfer. A cargo sled is stuffed into/stripped from a container. The method encompasses a marine terminal that stores sleds prior to stuffing into a container. Method and apparatus reduce the required number of cargo containers by up to a factor of eight.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (6) for conveying relatively voluminous packing units (4), such as containers, particularly containers in shipping ports, from a put-on location (10, 11) to a takeoff location (19), via conveying means (7, 8, 9) that are separately drivable and fixedly disposed and can displace a packing unit independently of further packing units. By a first conveying means, a displacement is imposed on a packing unit in a direction towards a connecting second conveying means, and the packing unit is thus transferred to the second conveying means, which maintains or changes the direction of the displacement during the transfer of the packing unit to a connecting third conveying means, depending on the pattern (10-18) in which the interconnecting conveying means that are present are arranged and the desired track over those conveying means between the put-on location and the takeoff location.

Abstract: A loading device for ISO containers in a container terminal is arranged below the land-side boom in the rear area of the container bridge and cooperates with container transport vehicles. The loading device comprises at least two bridge members which are movable on the ground independent from one another transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom, and are oriented parallel to one another and to the boom. Each bridge member forms a loading station for an ISO container and carries in the area of its longitudinal center a receiving platform for an ISO container which can be set down and picked up by load-carrying means, this receiving platform being rotatable about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A container ship includes a hull, propulsion device, support, guide disposed on the support that is extendible beyond the hull, and handler movable along the guide. Thus, the container ship enables containers to be unloaded near a variety of points of use, i.e., not only in ports that are not equipped with port handling facilities, but also onto unequipped beaches, banks, or landing slips. The container ship also unloads containers in such a manner that it has practically no effect on the equilibrium of the ship, whatever its size.

Abstract: A terminal and system for the automatic computerized unloading of containerized cargo from container ships to trucks, railroad cars, other ships or storage. The terminal system is equipped to store or transfer unloaded cargo automatically by using independent container transfer vehicles. The cargo ships are moored between quays of a terminal building constructed in or adjacent to a waterway. Independent container transfer vehicles on an overhead transverse beam system lift a container up and away from a ship and transfer it to the elevated ground rail system without changing the container orientation, and then shuttle on elevated ground conveyance rails to other areas of the terminal to distribute the container to the pertinent transportation system or to storage.

Abstract: A self-loading, self-discharging, bulk cargo transhipper 20 comprising a buoyant vessel 21 capable of receiving water as ballast inside the buoyant vessel 21, a bulk material receiving system 22, a bulk material distribution system 25 and a bulk material holding system 28, which transhipper 20 is a deep sea transhipper for the transfer of bulk cargo between vessels or between a port without deep draft loading facilities and a vessel at sea. The invention also relates to method of material transfer between vessels at sea or between a port without deep draft loading facilities and a vessel at sea.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cargo transfer. A cargo sled is stuffed into/stripped from a container. The method encompasses a marine terminal that stores sleds prior to stuffing into a container. Method and apparatus reduce the required number of cargo containers by up to a factor of eight.

Abstract: A wheel supported conveyor having a central platform crane section disposed between opposite end crane sections is positioned in underlying relation to a container holding spreader of a dockside terminal crane for transfer of containers to and from the chassis of trucks moved into loading positions without obstruction along parallel spaced passage lanes formed in the end crane sections. Sections of a roller track are respectively associated with each of the conveyor crane sections for displacement of the containers laterally between a common track path and the truck passage lanes. Container spreaders are slidably mounted on the end crane sections effecting said lateral displacement of containers between the truck passage lanes and the common roller track path.