November 2 - Cargotec has secured two contracts worth around EUR15 million (USD20.6 million) for complete MacGregor ro-ro access and transfer systems for deepsea container/ro-ro (ConRo) vessels.

"Both of these contracts are for vessels that will carry general and project cargo, as well as various type of ro-ro cargo, and this calls for specialist knowledge," says Magnus Sjöberg, sales director for ro-ro Ships at Cargotec. "Because of our in-depth understanding of ro-ro access and cargo handling systems, we are able to deliver the most flexible and efficient designs possible." 

One of the contracts is for a two-shipset repeat order, which builds on a four-ship equipment agreement that Cargotec won in June this year from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. Cargotec will now deliver MacGregor ro-ro equipment to six deepsea ConRo vessels being built for a Saudi Arabian owner in 2012 and 2013.

Each of the six ships will feature 1,600 tonnes of MacGregor equipment comprising: a jumbo quarter ramp; a stern door; two ramp covers; several bulkhead doors; two levels of hoistable decks and movable access ramps. 

The second contract is for a 26,600 dwt deepsea ConRo, Marjorie C, which is being built for Pasha Hawaii by VT Halter Marine in Mississipi, USA. Cargotec will supply around 150 tonnes of equipment, which includes a stern ramp for vehicles up to 350 tonnes and four bulkhead doors above fixed ramps.

"The vessel can carry cargo over three decks and has been designed to accommodate up to 1,500 teu, 2,750 cars, rolling and over-sized cargo in terms of both height and width," explains Sjöberg. "Because of this we needed to design an extremely flexible system that was capable of accommodating this range of cargo." Marjorie C is scheduled to enter service towards the end of 2013 and the MacGregor equipment is planned for delivery in 2012.