Port of Workington takes Specialist Fuchs Materials Handler

One of the UK’s fastest growing ports, the Port of Workington in West Cumbria, has further boosted its £5.7m improvement programme with the purchase of a large, fully mobile, high-capacity, long- reach wheeled Fuchs MHL 385.

This versatile specialist machine was purchased from distributor Blue Fuchs, a member of the Blue Group of companies. The crane has been purchased by Cumbria County Council, the port’s owner, and is the latest stage in a major expansion into container handling and developing the port into a key player in European multi-modal logistics with modern, multi-modal terminal transferring cargo between sea and road or rail.
Both dry and liquid bulks, timber and agricultural products and recyclables. The port’s main cargo handling facilities are on the Prince of Wales Dock which has a 773m quay frontage with seven berths as well as a Ro-Ro facility.

Chassis with four hydraulic outriggers for added stability on static duties, the MHL 385 is agile around the site with a 9.9m turning radius. Weighing in at around 75 tonnes the machine is powered by a low emissions, fuel- miserly V6 Deutz diesel engine which develops 273kW at 1800RPM. Travel drive is hydrostatic with infinitely variable speeds of up to 8kmh. Lift capacities are 29 tonnes maximum to 6.5 tonnes at 22m working radius. The cab boom provides a raised line of sight up to 8.5m for the operator, together with a 4.5m reach over the vessel being unloaded for optimum hold and hatch visibility; cab entry and exit for the operator is at ground level. The cab itself is state-of-the-art, featuring automatic machine monitoring and is an air-conditioned and extremely comfortable yet functional work station to ensure maximum operator comfort and efficiency. The logistical problems associated with transporting such a large machine to site were ably handled by Blue Fuchs’ specialist transport provider, TDR, which delivered the machine straight to the dockside ready for operator familiarisation and instruction.

“The Fuchs ticked all the boxes in terms of specification, price, performance and after-sales product support” Liam McAleavey Port of Workington Operations and Safety Manager

The investment programme is being driven via a £5.7 million Britain’s Energy Coast initiative. The port handles around 300,000 tonnes of imported cargo every year, with over 250 cargo vessel movements. Materials include All berths are rail connected and the Port Authority also operates its own locomotive on the port’s own extensive rail system.

Port of Workington’s Operations and Safety manager Liam McAleavey reports that they are delighted with their new Fuchs acquisition, particularly focussing on the excellent performance and the impressive elevating and forward-reaching cab which provides the operator with a raised line of sight, so important for the safe and efficient extraction of cargoes from vessels’ holds by giving a clear view right into the depths of the hold itself.

The new machine was delivered with its own 4m3 clamshell bucket, which is augmented by Port of Workington’s own specialist attachments which include hook, bale clamp and pulp spreader beam. Vessels of between 2000 and 8000 tonnes are being unloaded by the Fuchs, with annual volumes of 20,000 tonnes of gypsum, 50,000 tonnes of wood pulp, 24,000 tonnes of SRF and seasonally variable loads of fertiliser and animal feed being the main cargoes.

The Fuchs MHL 385 was selected after an extensive and stringent tendering process, following strict protocols. Liam McAleavey commented that “the Fuchs ticked all the boxes in terms of specification, price, performance and after-sales product support. Our operators are very happy with it, especially with the extended boom for the cab giving them excellent visibility into the hold and a full view of the hatch.”

The Fuchs MHL 385 is specifically designed and built for port and scrap- handling duties. Robust in construction, mounted on a heavy-duty 8-wheeled.