Industrial Container Crane Lift SE500 from Alimak Hek

Alimak Hek upgrades and improves the productivity of
Patrick's Port of Melbourne container crane lift with the Alimak SE500.

Founded in 1919, Patrick Ports and Stevedoring specialize in infrastructure management and the efficient movement of cargo throughout Australian and New Zealand ports. The Patrick facility, located at Webb Dock East in Victoria's Port of Melbourne, boasts three berths, a quay line of 780m and acts as one of the major frontlines of Australian trade.

Patrick's Melbourne facility makes use of a CM06 container crane to assist in the movement of complex project cargo, including the loading and unloading of steel products, containers and heavy machinery. Until recently, this crane was fitted with an Electruck Easiriser industrial lift, providing operators with vertical access to the crane cabin.

Given the obsolete nature of the Electruck lift, the result of company closure in 2001, Patricks was finding it increasingly difficult to have the dated Easiriser serviced and re-paired. A lack of available spare parts, absence of manufacturer support and difficulties in certifying the lift for operation left Patricks with little choice but to have the lift removed and replaced.

Alimak Hek worked closely with container crane specialists, Inver Engineering, to execute the complete dismantling and removal of the outdated lift, and the installation of the replacement Alimak SE500 FC. Inver Engineering's dismantling expertise enabled the swift removal of the Electruck lift, full-height mesh lift shaft and major support beams. Alimak Hek were then able to install the SE500 on site without causing disruption to the use of the container crane, while Inver Engineering installed necessary screening on lift landings and stairs.

The addition of the Alimak SE500 has improved the efficiency of stevedoring operations at the Melbourne facility, and relieved Patrick's servicing and maintenance concerns for the lift. Working closely with Inver Engineering allowed Alimak Hek to complement their own lift supply and installation expertise with Inver's experience in the difficulties of container crane lift removal. Alimak Hek were able to provide Patricks with a single contract for the complete removal and installation process, combining the expertise of two companies, under the one contract, to achieve best project results.

The Alimak SE500 FC has been in operation at the Patrick Port of Melbourne facility, providing operators with vertical access to the container crane, since April 2010. This is now one of three Alimak SE500's in operation at Patrick's Port of Melbourne. Alimak industrial lifts have been used by global port authorities since 1971, and are installed as crane elevators in more than 100 countries worldwide.