ABP invests in safer container handling

Associated British Ports (ABP) has invested in new pinning stations at its Humber container terminals, working with Grimsby-based engineering company Grimsby Pipework & Engineering (GPE) to improve safety during container handling.

Four stations have been installed at the Port of Immingham, with a further four planned for the Port of Hull.

Pinning is a key operation during container handling, involving workers removing twist-lock pins from the four corners of containers before they are transferred by trailer.

“Our priority at the Humber Container Terminals is safety and having carefully assessed the need to eliminate the risks the pinners faced, the new stations do the job,” said Jamie Pearson, head of Unitised (Humber) at ABP.

“By creating a safe working environment and having involved safety and operations teams in the design, we have now created a fit for purpose station.”

The bespoke stations are positioned away from vessels within clearly marked areas, helping protect operatives from overhead hazards and nearby vehicle movements. Red and green lights indicate when container transfer tugs can safely enter the designated pinning area.

The new design also prevents twist locks from being left on the ground, reducing potential trip hazards for workers and risks to terminal vehicles. The stations have been fabricated to allow operatives to safely reach container pins from inside the protected structure.

GPE carried out a site survey before designing and fabricating the stations, taking account of the quayside layout and forklifts operating in the area. The resulting structures were manufactured specifically to fit the terminal environment.

“By combining ABP’s operational knowledge with GPE’s in-house design and manufacturing capabilities, we developed a practical, purpose-built solution tailored to the demands of a busy port environment,” said Mike Hemsworth, managing director of GPE.

The project forms part of ABP’s continuous improvement programme, with terminal operatives and safety teams involved in its development.

The Humber Container Terminals handle more than 5,500 units each week and welcome around 24 vessels, providing northern England gateways for short-sea container traffic with Europe and the Baltic.