‘Ingenious’ system keeps trucks grounded

Engineers at the Port of Ngqura have come up with an ingenious system to ensure trucks are not lifted off the ground along with the containers they are transporting. According to port manager, Captain Neil Chetty, the system of twist locks is currently being piloted at the port on one of the rubber tyre gantries. “There have been incidents at other ports where a container is lifted and the truck along with it. From a gantry operating point of view it is very difficult to determine if the truck is being lifted or not, making for a very dangerous situation. If someone forgets to undo the twist locks and the container is lifted the truck will go with.” The new anti-lift device, designed by engineers at Ngqura, will activate immediately if the truck is elevated some 150mm above the ground. “The device is a sensor that recognises any air space under the tyre and then immediately cuts the machine and ceases all operations immediately.” With the pilot phase having been extremely successful, all 22 rubber tyre gantries at Ngqura are set to be fitted with the system before the end of the year. This is the only system of its kind being used in the country.