MoorMaster Norwegian Contract for Cavotec

Cavotec secured a significant order for its MoorMaster automated mooring technology at a new bulk handling application in Norway. The project has a substantial financial value & is the largest single MoorMaster order in Europe to date.

MoorMaster is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels in seconds. A single person operates the system, via a hand-held radio remote control unit, either on shore or on board ship.

Cavotec is to supply 18 MoorMaster 200B units for international minerals group LKAB’s new iron ore berth in Narvik, northern Norway, on behalf of the PEAB construction and civil engineering group.

The scope of the order includes manufacture of the mooring units, installation and comprehensive technical support. The units will moor bulk carrier ships of up to 185,000 DWT and 305m.

This is the first MoorMaster bulk handling application in Europe, and the first located within the Arctic Circle. As such, the MM200B units for this project will be built to withstand the harsh winters and demanding operational conditions common to its location.

The technology is already in use at three bulk handling berths in Western Australia, where it is delivering substantial improvements in operational efficiency and safety.

MoorMaster is also used at frequent-use passenger ferry, container handling, Ro-Ro and lock applications around the world. In addition, and Cavotec say they are seeing interest in the technology for offshore applications.